Reviews - If It Makes You Happy

845 reviews for:

If It Makes You Happy

Julie Olivia

4.42 AVERAGE

twysbeek's review against another edition

4.0

emotional hopeful slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

hmattei's review against another edition

4.75

emotional hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

The perfect fall romance read. This book had all the 90s small town a la Gilmore Girls vibes you could ask for. The characters are endearing and journey is such a fun one. I loved the complexity of the characters and their relationships with their families. I am not usually drawn to romance novels where one of the characters have children but this worked so well. I can’t wait to read more from Julie Olivia!

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkeley Romance for this ARC in return for an honest review.

francescav_'s review against another edition

3.0

3.5⭐️

jess_read's review against another edition

5.0

emotional funny inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

the fall vibes were immaculate. i'm definitely going to reread this in october. rtc

Content Warnings

brittainr's review against another edition

5.0

medium-paced

bookishelflife's review against another edition

5.0

Thank you so much to Berkley Romance for my digital ARC!!

I could never say no to a small town romance but when a book comes with the add on of a Fall backdrop in the gorgeous Vermont 90's AND the most adorable furry friend? I am so down for it. Reading this book gave me pure joy and such intense nostalgia, the small town characters are meddling but in the most precious way. Julie Olivia is a new to me author but I am so glad I found her because I really enjoyed her style of writing and the way she had given the characters a very realistic character arc’s, they are unapologetic and completely genuine.

The romance is just impeccable, it builds on a strong foundation of friendship and understanding and goes on to become something so very real and full of heart. I had a stupid big smile reading the book and I couldn't help but cheer for these characters, I love loved how she showed that men can be vulnerable and strong woman are not too much of a burden. It is beautiful, Michelle and Cliff are equally beautiful just as the entire story.

The small town is not only charming but will serve all the Fall vibes your heart desires and don't even get me started on that epilogue, I was a sobbing mess but like in a most happy/satisfied sort of way. It is an easy 5star for me!

danidsfavereads's review

3.0

emotional lighthearted reflective

This book was just entirely too long. I definitely got bored a few times throughout the story. I also didn’t quite understand why our FMC, Michelle, was the way she was. She felt like she didn’t deserve things and I just didn’t feel like her life experiences warranted that.

I did love the nostalgia and small town aspects of this book. And the single dad aspect too.

But overall this was just ok for me.

Thx PRH Audio for the advanced listening copy.