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jesspen's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Audiobook. Easy listening.
portybelle's review against another edition
5.0
The Secret to Happiness is the story of three women who become firm friends through a bootcamp run by one of them. Karen is engaged to her business partner Ryan although with work being so busy they haven't got around to setting a date yet. Danniella has recently arrived in Whitsborough Bay and is clearly troubled by her past with secrets she doesn't want to share. Alison is in a relationship where she doesn't feel valued by her partner Dave (oh how much I despised him!) and much to her own astonishment, has agreed to go along to the bootcamp with Danniella. Through the course of the book, the women face some dark times and have difficult decisions to make.
I loved all three of the main characters. I'm sure that many women who read this book will find the issues and secrets to be very realistically portrayed and probably find they can relate to one woman more in particular. Alison was the one I was drawn to most with her feelings about body image. I think many women will recognise the cycle of feeling miserable and turning to food for comfort. It's a book that when I wasn't reading about it, I was thinking about the characters and itching to get back to it.
Jessica Redland has created a wonderful story which is full of warmth and love and is rather emotional to read at times. The three women find not just support and encouragement in each other but learn to be more confident in themselves and to love themselves. They almost have to give themselves permission to be happy. That friendship and support is so central to the story.
One particular scene near the end made me smile so widely and yes, there were happy tears at times. And the secret to happiness? Well if you read this book, you might just pick up a few hints. This is a beautifully told uplifting story and I loved every page. In fact, I found it so inspiring that I am going to give something new a go. By the time you read this, I will be recovering from my first ever tap dancing class!
I loved all three of the main characters. I'm sure that many women who read this book will find the issues and secrets to be very realistically portrayed and probably find they can relate to one woman more in particular. Alison was the one I was drawn to most with her feelings about body image. I think many women will recognise the cycle of feeling miserable and turning to food for comfort. It's a book that when I wasn't reading about it, I was thinking about the characters and itching to get back to it.
Jessica Redland has created a wonderful story which is full of warmth and love and is rather emotional to read at times. The three women find not just support and encouragement in each other but learn to be more confident in themselves and to love themselves. They almost have to give themselves permission to be happy. That friendship and support is so central to the story.
One particular scene near the end made me smile so widely and yes, there were happy tears at times. And the secret to happiness? Well if you read this book, you might just pick up a few hints. This is a beautifully told uplifting story and I loved every page. In fact, I found it so inspiring that I am going to give something new a go. By the time you read this, I will be recovering from my first ever tap dancing class!
bexbooksandstuff's review against another edition
5.0
Do you know I don't think I will ever get bored of this author. I want to read her books forever!!
This one was another corker, just a gorgeous story with so many layers. I love that all her books are so character driven and I feel like I get to know them all so well!
We follow the lives of three new characters Daniella, Karen and Alison. They all have such tear jerking stories and make huge leaps throughout the book. Each lady has a different journey to make but with the help of each other when they meet at a local boot camp they are able to navigate their way and form a deep friendship along the way.
I love a good story about friendship and the importance of having a good network of people on our lives and yet again Jessica Redland has smashed it out of the park!
I highly recommend it, there are a few links to previous books and series she has written as in all her books. But this one is definitely a stand alone book. So add it to your TBR immediately!
This one was another corker, just a gorgeous story with so many layers. I love that all her books are so character driven and I feel like I get to know them all so well!
We follow the lives of three new characters Daniella, Karen and Alison. They all have such tear jerking stories and make huge leaps throughout the book. Each lady has a different journey to make but with the help of each other when they meet at a local boot camp they are able to navigate their way and form a deep friendship along the way.
I love a good story about friendship and the importance of having a good network of people on our lives and yet again Jessica Redland has smashed it out of the park!
I highly recommend it, there are a few links to previous books and series she has written as in all her books. But this one is definitely a stand alone book. So add it to your TBR immediately!
life_full_ofbooks's review against another edition
4.0
It has been a long time since I’ve read a book about women finding themselves because of new friendships and bad romances. I loved the character development and the bit of mystery thrown in actually had me gasping, because I didn’t see it coming (normally I’m pretty good at predicting the token mystery). It wasn’t too cliche, which is nice for this type of book. The end tied up everything nice and sweet. It was definitely a nice change from some of the other books I read this month.
I listened to it and again I was disappointed with the narrator. If a narrator can’t do more than a few voices if makes it rather difficult to distinguish which character is talking when the characters aren’t named.
I listened to it and again I was disappointed with the narrator. If a narrator can’t do more than a few voices if makes it rather difficult to distinguish which character is talking when the characters aren’t named.
cleg11's review against another edition
5.0
Thanks to netgalley for a copy of this book.
What a great uplifting book. What is your secret to happiness? Alison, Karen and Danniella come from different backgrounds and each have issues that they need to overcome to be able to find their secret to happiness. They meet and become the best of friends, helping each other through tough times. Heartbreaking in places, had me in tears.
What a great uplifting book. What is your secret to happiness? Alison, Karen and Danniella come from different backgrounds and each have issues that they need to overcome to be able to find their secret to happiness. They meet and become the best of friends, helping each other through tough times. Heartbreaking in places, had me in tears.
charmossy's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
ianmcnamara's review against another edition
5.0
Really enjoyed this book. That is everything read by this author that audible have now. A very pleasant way to spend a week off ill. I am looking forward to future books to come. I am truly hooked now.
nalirosey's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.5
jemjemv's review against another edition
slow-paced
1.0
What a bore. Was very disappointed by all the body shaming, fatphobia, and diet culture bs in this book. I’m not sure why anyone would write such annoying characters like this, especially coming from a female author. The storyline was just full of stereotypes and cringey, problematic ideals. I don’t see how this book is uplifting at all. Too many repetitive concepts, as well. Would not recommend this, especially for anyone who has struggled with body image, eating disorders, etc. I truly don’t understand all the positive reviews.