katbhw 's review for:

If It Makes You Happy by Julie Olivia

4.0

lighthearted

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Read if you want:
-Hallmark movie vibes (she's the straightlaced woman from the big city, he's the charming guy from a small town!)
-baker x bed and breakfast owner
-everyone in this small town is in each other's business
-single dad 
-really strong sense of community
-oh also an airport goodbye scene 

I really enjoyed how well the small town was written - it was almost like another main character in the story. There was so much love between the folks! It was seen in how neighbours would watch each other's kids, how everyone was generous with their time and each other

I also liked how motherhood and the mother/daughter relationships were written about: they're not all the same, and they're not always idyllic

The romance was, suprisingly, not the highlight of the story. I did like how Cliff and Michelle's friendship felt so real - based on proximity, and a genuine desire to help each other, and the need for a friend who isn't related to you by blood. But besides that, I didn't care overmuch for their romance

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the eARC!