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hdelfino's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars. It began a bit slow but from page 100 on I had a hard time putting it down. Easy read and loved how it addresses how hard it is to be a new mom regardless of your social position. The struggle to balance new motherhood, a good wife and a healthy home. It was fun and with an unexpected thriller ending.
marissanbullis's review against another edition
dark
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Infidelity, Drug abuse, Toxic friendship, and Drug use
Moderate: Pregnancy and Death of parent
eemcnell's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
megn317's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
I could relate to some of these stressed out moms. they had secrets and drama and I was here for it. I could see how this wouldn’t be everyone’s cup of tea but I enjoyed it. Quick beach or pool read if ya need one.
I could relate to some of these stressed out moms. they had secrets and drama and I was here for it. I could see how this wouldn’t be everyone’s cup of tea but I enjoyed it. Quick beach or pool read if ya need one.
marinaemoore's review against another edition
3.0
For me, this book was the embodiment of “fine.” I enjoyed it, but probably won’t remember anything from it in a few weeks. I didn’t want to put it down at any point, but I wasn’t itching to pick it up either.
thephdivabooks's review against another edition
4.0
Rich people behaving badly, a young musician pulled into their world, and plenty of drama (and heart warming moments!) to go around! I would characterize Happy and You Know It as a dark, witty drama and it delivered above my expectations.
Initial Thoughts
The Upper East Side moms provide top entertainment and salacious gossip with a great thru-story in this surprising and delightful popcorn drama set in the wealthy elite of New York City. I accepted this title on a whim without a ton of context and I’m so glad I finally read it. The surface of this book is totally soapy in a good way, but the messages and themes of the book are what really shine and make it an all timer.
Characters
Claire Martin is a musician who was recently replaced in her band and is looking for paid work, which she finds singing private song showcases for a group of babies and toddlers of wealthy upper eastside moms. Whitney is the creator of the mommy club and has made the club (and herself) famous by posting about mom life on social media. Amara is a snarky mother who gave up a successful career in media to be a fulltime mom, and feels unfulfilled. Veteran mom Gwen is there to dole out advice as someone more experienced in parenting. Vicky is the peace-loving hippie mom. And Meredith and Ellie are nearly interchangeable and round out the group.
Narrative, Setting, and Plot
Claire Martin is reeling after her band (and ex-boyfriend) dump her for a sexier model and then go on to make it big with their latest song while she is left unsure of what to do next. In need of money to get by, Claire takes a gig for a mommy group on the upper east side singing for their children. While she may be there for entertainment, she soon realizes it is more for the mothers than the children.
The moms are obsessed with juice cleanses, perfecting motherhood (particularly on social media for hostess and influencer Whitney), and a new vitamin craze for moms that is sure to help them become their healthiest, best selves. Though Claire initially rolls her eyes at them, over time she realizes she actually likes these women, not in spite of their flaws but because of them. The moms are fun and she admires how much they do seemingly without effort.
As Claire grows closer to influencer and head mommy Whitney and sarcastic Amara who used to work in late night tv, she starts to realize they aren’t as put together and flawless as they seem to outsiders. Soon she begins to learn some of their secrets that would destroy not only the moms, but the entire playgroup. Things that could shatter their perfect existence.
Final Thoughts
I don’t have kids myself so I definitely related to Claire a bit more, though I’ve thankfully grown past my lost early twenties phase of life. The moms themselves were fascinating. I love books about the wealthy, out-of-touch upper eastside moms, and this book had a taste of that but ultimately I really liked that Hankin made the mothers so real. These were whole people, from the perfect exterior to the flaws underneath. I liked Whitney a lot more than I thought I would. I actually felt for her—I got how she was in the spot she was in and desperately trying to hang on to the life she worked so hard to craft.
The central story that comes up was fascinating and felt very true-to-life for me. It isn’t teased in the about the book portion so I consider what it revolves around a spoiler and I’ll keep it out of this review. But ultimately there was so much more to this book than rich moms behaving badly and the poor broke musician that they pulled into their outer circle. The story had depth, weight, and still managed to be filled with humor and light. Claire’s story of her band, the break up, their success without her, and how she found herself brought the book home.
A surprisingly light, humorous read with some real depth—Laura Hankin’s Happy and You Know It was a surprise and a delight!
Initial Thoughts
The Upper East Side moms provide top entertainment and salacious gossip with a great thru-story in this surprising and delightful popcorn drama set in the wealthy elite of New York City. I accepted this title on a whim without a ton of context and I’m so glad I finally read it. The surface of this book is totally soapy in a good way, but the messages and themes of the book are what really shine and make it an all timer.
Characters
Claire Martin is a musician who was recently replaced in her band and is looking for paid work, which she finds singing private song showcases for a group of babies and toddlers of wealthy upper eastside moms. Whitney is the creator of the mommy club and has made the club (and herself) famous by posting about mom life on social media. Amara is a snarky mother who gave up a successful career in media to be a fulltime mom, and feels unfulfilled. Veteran mom Gwen is there to dole out advice as someone more experienced in parenting. Vicky is the peace-loving hippie mom. And Meredith and Ellie are nearly interchangeable and round out the group.
Narrative, Setting, and Plot
Claire Martin is reeling after her band (and ex-boyfriend) dump her for a sexier model and then go on to make it big with their latest song while she is left unsure of what to do next. In need of money to get by, Claire takes a gig for a mommy group on the upper east side singing for their children. While she may be there for entertainment, she soon realizes it is more for the mothers than the children.
The moms are obsessed with juice cleanses, perfecting motherhood (particularly on social media for hostess and influencer Whitney), and a new vitamin craze for moms that is sure to help them become their healthiest, best selves. Though Claire initially rolls her eyes at them, over time she realizes she actually likes these women, not in spite of their flaws but because of them. The moms are fun and she admires how much they do seemingly without effort.
As Claire grows closer to influencer and head mommy Whitney and sarcastic Amara who used to work in late night tv, she starts to realize they aren’t as put together and flawless as they seem to outsiders. Soon she begins to learn some of their secrets that would destroy not only the moms, but the entire playgroup. Things that could shatter their perfect existence.
Final Thoughts
I don’t have kids myself so I definitely related to Claire a bit more, though I’ve thankfully grown past my lost early twenties phase of life. The moms themselves were fascinating. I love books about the wealthy, out-of-touch upper eastside moms, and this book had a taste of that but ultimately I really liked that Hankin made the mothers so real. These were whole people, from the perfect exterior to the flaws underneath. I liked Whitney a lot more than I thought I would. I actually felt for her—I got how she was in the spot she was in and desperately trying to hang on to the life she worked so hard to craft.
The central story that comes up was fascinating and felt very true-to-life for me. It isn’t teased in the about the book portion so I consider what it revolves around a spoiler and I’ll keep it out of this review. But ultimately there was so much more to this book than rich moms behaving badly and the poor broke musician that they pulled into their outer circle. The story had depth, weight, and still managed to be filled with humor and light. Claire’s story of her band, the break up, their success without her, and how she found herself brought the book home.
A surprisingly light, humorous read with some real depth—Laura Hankin’s Happy and You Know It was a surprise and a delight!
klippy's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this book. I had never read this author and I had no expectations. I absolutely was blown away !!!
book_lizard42's review against another edition
3.0
It was good but kind of fell apart at the end. Very mustache-twirly in the villain department.
leigh_jo's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0