After losing her husband in a biking accident leaving her a single parent to twin toddlers, Maddie quickly learns that there were many more layers and complexities to him that she ever thought possible. Every time she thinks she has a moment to breathe, she discovers something else even deeper and more heartbreaking than before.

I really enjoyed this one. It was very reminiscent of Jodi Picoult and Nicholas Sparks - tragic, deep, messy, and romantic all at the same time. Just...POOR MADDIE. That girl went through more in a few short months than many of us (luckily!) have to face in our entire lifetime. While struggling with the idea of divorce, she ends up losing her husband in a freak accident and leaves her in the wake of all his dark secrets and controlling mother. That being said, she is RESILIENT - my goodness! I really loved her development and character and found myself rooting for her every step of the way. The romance, the mother-daughter complexities, and parenting struggles...I appreciated Burns' raw take on each topic. Thank you so much for this ARC!

A heavier read. I enjoyed this book and the topics it discussed. I think they were handled well as they are very delicate and I loved following along after the after math of the tragedy’s that occurred.

It’s rare that I read a book where certain characters provoke such strong feelings of frustration (or even outright hatred) as they did in this one. Every time Landon, the husband of our heroine Maddie, was mentioned, I found myself thinking, What an absolute bastard. With each chapter, I discovered new reasons to dislike him, and to feel increasing sympathy for Maddie.

Maddie, a woman in her early thirties and mother of five-year-old twins, is suddenly forced to navigate not only her own grief but that of her children. Trying to create a sense of stability, she moves back in with her mother and must also contend with the weight of her in-laws, including her mother-in-law Eleanor, who, unbelievably, managed to provoke even more fury in me than Landon himself.

Thankfully, Maddie isn’t entirely alone. She can count on the unwavering support of her mother, Charlotte, her best friend, Saanvi, and Landon’s best friend, Noël — who also happens to be someone she once shared a passionate night with before her relationship with Landon began. It quickly becomes clear that her feelings for Noël have never entirely faded.

Debbie Burns’ writing is smooth and emotive, drawing you in with ease. While the focus is clearly on character and emotion, the pacing is steady, with well-placed twists and quiet moments that feel earned.

I was surprised by how quickly I became immersed in the story. I genuinely couldn’t put the book down. I needed to know how Maddie would find her way through it all, and what the future would hold for Jordan, for Noël, for the whole patchwork of characters that had pulled me in.

The novel delves into themes of betrayal, grief, mental health, and the weight of our choices, and yet, it’s also a story filled with hope. Maddie is incredibly strong and compassionate (far more than I think I could have been, had I found myself in her shoes).

The ending took me by surprise. Not because of what happened (the gathering of chosen and blood family to scatter Landon’s ashes felt entirely fitting) but because of what it made me feel. I didn’t expect to be moved. I didn’t think I’d feel sadness, pity, or even a flicker of compassion for Landon or his mother, Eleanor. And yet, it was impossible not to be affected by the sorrow and by the undeniable impact Landon had left on all their lives.

This book follows Maddie as she works to move on after losing a husband. She battles becoming a single mother, coping with others' secrets come to light, and being the bigger person. This was a very slow read for me and unfortunately, I have to give it two stars. I felt like I kept waiting for something big to happen. I kept reading, getting to 50% then 75% wondering when the big moment would come, but nothing grabbed my attention (with the exception of one event at about 50%). I don't know if it's just me or the genre in general, but I was personally hoping for more climax than I read.

Bigger Than Us effortlessly pulled me into its story. It is both raw and heartwarming as the FMC, Maddie, deals with one huge life change after another, all the while somehow maintaining her grace and inherent kindness.

Maddie's relationship with her charismatic, yet difficult husband, Landon, was already pushed to the limit. She was about to ask for a divorce when he died in an accident, leaving her with their twin 5 year olds to raise without a financial security net unless she's willing to accept the job that her controlling mother-in-law offers her. On top of that, she receives a further blow as she learns that Landon had a big secret that he was concealing from her. She also has to figure out how to navigate a new relationship with Landon's best friend, Noel, who she has a romantic history with, and who is determined to step up and be a father figure for her children.

Although she's risk averse and much prefers to follow an orderly plan, Maddie comes to realize that life is messy and chaotic and the best way forward is to embrace the uncertainty. She could have become bitter and angry, but instead she always chose kindness when dealing with all of the changes in her circumstances and never failed to open her heart, whether it was to her kids, her mom, a stray dog, even her difficult MIL. She's a character that you can't help rooting for and I was happy to see her make her way through all of those challenges.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.

oh this book had so much heart. and it and the character Maddie took my whole heart in its grips. such a moving and brilliant book. i love books like this where there are a set of characters each have their own vital role but somehow are woven and linked. such depth and warmth came from each new character i met and i loved how the story unfolds for them all .though again, i say this knowing her absorbed i got into this book and did a number on my free time until id finished! so be ready to not want to put this book down. but you'll feel fine doing that because it is just so so good.
there are lots of emotional themes in this book. not all good ones some are raw and hard. but they are all handled with the skill they deserve and to which bravo for Debbie for turning her hand to it with great success.
Maddie needs her husband to become her ex. hes awful. but before all that could be put in place he dies. great, thanks mate, last laugh and all that. shes left lost and broken hearted with children a mother in law and too much to deal with right now!
things dont get any better when she is approached by a woman holding a surprise. another dark cloud fills Maddie's space.how much can one woman be forced to bear. this isn't fair. this isn't fair at all.
but Maddie is just too good for us all really. because no matter what comes at her, she comes at it with kindness and is someone wed all want in life. but i still wanted someone to just do something for her! for something to go right for her. and it might if she can dare to let it or him in. is this the person. THE person all along?
and dont we all want a moment for Maddie's own mum. shes a keeper for sure and these too are a pair youd love to just snuggle up and read more from.
approaches her at work, with a beautiful baby boy and yet another shoe drops. Noel, the last man Maddie was involved with before Landon, is back, and as Landon's best friend and god father to the twins, seems prepared to stay. Maddie is drawn to him, even as he makes her feel inadequate.
special mention to the four legged variety of characters in this book. hehe, loved them and only added to the gorgeousness i felt for this book.
im so glad it got the ending it did. i dont think i could have beared it otherwise. but i should have put my faith in Debbie after having given us the rest of this wonderful book she was going to give us this ending we needed.

"Bigger Than Us" intricately narrates the poignant journey of Maddie, a compassionate woman who confronts significant adversities following the untimely demise of her husband, Landon. Tasked with the care of their five-year-old twins, Maddie must also navigate the complexities of a controlling mother-in-law and her own eccentric yet insightful mother. This narrative is a heartfelt description of a woman grieving and navigating life without her significant other. This novel captivated me from the very beginning. While I could predict some of the events, it certainly did not impact my enjoyment of the book and my inability to put it down. The characters were well developed and I was invested in each of their journeys.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance review copy in exchange for my review.

This is the story of a woman with a big heart and an amazing ability to forgive. Her husband dies tragically leaving her with 5 year old twins and a witch of a mother-in-law. Maddie has a quirky mother, but she is oh-so wise. You can see where Maddie gets her strength. There is anger, betrayal, a husband's infidelity, love, forgiveness, and in the end very much-deserved happiness. I think this is a good karma story. Maddie gives so much of herself to others and in the end, she is rewarded with great joy both professionally and personally.

Thank you to NetGalley and JC & Burns Publishing, LLC for supplying me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I would give this book a 4.75.
The writing was beautiful and it was definitely a book I would pick up again.

In some ways it was predictable such as who Maddie would end up with but there were surprises on how we got to that moment. The hardest part of this book was seeing Maddie getting taken advantage of over and over again and having a hard time sticking up for herself.

Thank you NetGalley , the publisher, and the author, for the ARC of the book.

Bigger Than Us is a heartwarming story involving so many emotions. In order to make ends meet after her estranged husband dies, Maddie and her adorable five-year-old twins move into her mother’s house. After discovering life-changing secrets, she exhibits strength as she learns to navigate her life going forward. This is a story of misunderstandings, secrets, second chances, forgiveness, family, and friends. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and recommend it to others.

This beautifully written story hooked me from the first page! Maddie’s emotional journey—marked by heartbreak, unexpected connections, and hope—felt so real and raw. The characters are layered and compelling, especially Jordan and Noel, who each bring their own depth and healing. I was swept away by the emotional twists and the message that sometimes the life you never planned becomes exactly what you need. A heartfelt, unforgettable read that stays with you long after the final page.

I received a copy from NetGalley for a honest review

Bigger Than Us by Debbie Burns was wonderful and I didn't want it to end. I really loved all the characters in this story but Maddie was my favorite, she's been through some much but she is resilient and kind. Her story grabbed me and I did not want to let go. I will definitely be rereading.

A sweet and gentle story about healing, second chances the the unexpected ways love can grow. It's a comforting read with heartfelt moments and lovable characters. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release in exchange for my honest review. I see a lot of great reviews so it might just "me" with my 3 star rating.

Maddie is about to divorce her reckless husband but he dies in an accident before she can proceed. Left to raise twins on her own with a meddling Mother in law, free spirited mother and her husbands well intentioned best friend, she tries to navigate through this confusing time which is made more confusing by her husbands actions catching up with her.
It feels very candid and real the way the grief and reactions are presented. The book was touching and sweet. I enjoyed almost all the characters, even though some of them felt a little like caricatures. The pets stole the show but that's probably just me.

Bigger Than Us is an engrossing and absorbing book with many layers and depth. Love and loss, misunderstandings, second chances, life-changing surprises, struggle and recovery, friends and family. There are strong characters, adorable children, a loveable dog and cat, and plenty of angst and emotion. It’s a wonderful story, one I highly recommend!

Before Maddie could divorce charismatic, troubled, unfaithful Landon, he died. Leaving her with heartbroken 5yr old twins, an angry, controlling and devastated Mother in Law; a skittish best friend and the hits keep coming.

Elenor's meddling started a chain reaction of events that find Maddie overwhelmed and lonely. After Landon's funeral, Maddie finds a condom wrapper in his car. She was no longer able to have children after complications with the twins birth, so it wasn't something she and Landon needed, not that they had been connecting before his death. He had been cheating. She knew she had wanted to leave him but this news still hurts. Then a young woman approaches her at work, with a beautiful baby boy and yet another shoe drops. Noel, the last man Maddie was involved with before Landon, is back, and as Landon's best friend and god father to the twins, seems prepared to stay. Maddie is drawn to him, even as he makes her feel inadequate.

This book is about a woman who keeps moving forward with compassion and love even as the universe seems to be trying to drown her. It is almost unrealistic, how she so easily says yes, and opens her arms to strays of every variety, when she already has sooo much on her plate.

I devoured ‘Bigger Than Us’ by Debbie Burns. It’s heartwarming, raw, and sincere.

I liked the light and humorous presence of our four-legged friends. I also appreciated the realistic and genuine portrayal of the human nature of the main characters; you can be flawed and still be caring and kind.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the e-ARC of this lovely novel.