Title: Something Like Happy

Author: Eva Woods

Publisher: Harlequin, Graydon House

Date of publication: September 5th, 2017

Genre: Health, Mind & Body, Women’s Fiction

Number of pages: 432

POV: 3rd person

Where you can find Something Like Happy: Barnes and Noble | Amazon

Book synopsis (from Goodreads):

With wry wit and boundless heart, Eva Woods delivers an unforgettable tale of celebrating triumphs great and small, seizing the day, and always remembering to live in the moment.

“It’s simple, really. You’re just meant to do one thing every day that makes you happy. Could be little things. Could be big. In fact, we’re doing one right now…”

Annie Hebden is stuck. Stuck in her boring job, with her irritating roommate, in a life, no thirty-five-year-old would want. But deep down, Annie is still mourning the terrible loss that tore a hole through the perfect existence she’d once taken for granted—and hiding away is safer than remembering what used to be. Until she meets the eccentric Polly Leonard.

Bright, bubbly, intrusive Polly is everything Annie doesn’t want in a friend. But Polly is determined to finally wake Annie up to life. Because if recent events have taught Polly anything, it’s that your time is too short to waste a single day—which is why she wants Annie to join her on a mission…

One hundred days. One hundred new ways to be happy. Annie’s convinced it’s impossible, but so is saying no to Polly. And on an unforgettable journey that will force her to open herself to new experiences—and perhaps even new love with the unlikeliest of men—Annie will slowly begin to realize that maybe, just maybe, there’s still joy to be found in the world. But then it becomes clear that Polly’s about to need her new friend more than ever…and Annie will have to decide once and for all whether letting others in is a risk worth taking.

“A special book that will make you laugh through your tears with its heartfelt take on happiness and friendship.”—Amy E. Reichert, author of The Coincidence of Coconut Cake

Trigger Warning: None

My review:

I have gotten a few gems from Harlequin lately. They are not romances. These books that I have read have been women’s fiction and they have been good women’s fiction. So, my perception of Harlequin has been changed for the better. I still like their romances but with the women’s fiction that they are putting out is so much better. Something Like Happy is one of those books. I went into reading this book thinking that it was going to be boring but boy was I wrong.

The plot of Something Like Happy was very good and very sad at the same time. Annie and Polly hit it off from the beginning and I loved reading their interactions up until the end of the book. The idea of doing 100 Days of Happiness is intriguing also. I am actually considering doing my own 100 Days of Happiness myself. I want to see where it goes and how far I get.

Something Like Happy fits into the women’s fiction like a glove. I would even go as far to say that it is chick lit. I usually do not read women’s fiction or chick lit but I have found myself being drawn to it lately.

Annie was such a depressing character. She was not happy and it showed in her personality and her life. So when she met Polly at the Dr’s office, I was wondering how that friendship would affect her. It was uplifting to see Annie’s transformation from a bitter, unhappy person to someone who was full of life and forgiveness. She had some pretty ugly things happen to her. Polly forced her to face them and get over them, well, for the most part, get over them. She also forced Annie to go out of her comfort and do some pretty insane things. It was those things that made this book unbelievable!!!

I loved Polly. From the minute Annie met her, you could tell that she was a character. Her outlook on life was something that I could only wish that I had. Her terminal illness only added more depth to her character. I also understood that she wanted to live the rest of her life to the fullest. Which she did with Annie’s help.

There was a small romance between Annie and Dr. Max. That romance was so small that I thought it was only on Annie’s side…like unrequited love. If you want to find out what happens between Annie and Dr. Max, you need to read the book.

The end of the book was both sad and hopeful. I cried for the last 3-4 chapters of the book. When I finished reading Something Like Happy, I had to sit for a while to reflect on what I  read and the message that was throughout the book.

5 stars

Summary of Something Like Happy:

Something Like Happy pulled at my heartstrings while I read it. I loved the message woven throughout the book as well. It is a beautifully written book that will make you cry and it will make you think.

Will I recommend to family and friends: Yes

Will I reread: Yes

Age range: Adult

Why: mild language and some adult situations

I would like to thank Eva Woods, Harlequin, Graydon House, and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review Something Like Happy.

All opinions stated in this review of Something Like Happy are mine and mine alone

**I chose to leave this review after reading an advance reader copy**