This book was definitely different. Taking place in Sweden was a nice surprise because I felt like I was exploring the setting as a tourist. I will say it started off depressing with a sick father, characters with depression, diabetes, and autism so I wasn’t expecting much. I was pleasantly surprised for a cute connection of characters by the end.

* I was given an advanced copy of this book for my honest review. Thank you NetGalley!

Thank you @netgalley for the ARC of The Happiness Blueprint. This was an enjoyable book of missed connections. It was light and breezy, but also well written. It was also new and refreshing. I really like how the author normalized the characters’s autism and diabetes. They were part of her character, which is refreshing to see more diversity in characters.

Klara is dealing with her father’s illness and becoming his caretaker. Alex is grieving the death of his brother. When Klara hires Alex, they hit it off, but through a series of miscommunications they both think the other isn’t interested.

I kept seeing this title pop up on Bookstagram
so I hoped it would capture my attention. Sadly I wasn't able to get invested in the story very much. It moved slow and at times I was confused as to what was going on. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

3.5 stars!
This book was tough to get into, and when I did I would fall back out and then back it. Like a roller coaster ride. But it was super cute! I would deff recommend it for a quick read.
It wasn’t spicy
It was a duel pov which I always love.

I felt it was missing something I’m just not sure what!

It took me a couple of chapters to get into the rhythm of this book, but once I did, I was obsessed! I LOVE Klara. She’s a true gem and I really enjoyed her humor and the honesty of her thoughts and feelings. I felt the same way about Alex. He’s so real and relatable. Grief is so personal and Alex’s felt so real and raw. I also really enjoyed how much he appreciates Klara and all of her quirks. It’s just the sweetest love story and I love the inclusivity of a neurodivergent and diabetic FMC. So cute and refreshing! It comes out 04.02.2024 so make sure you preorder!!
Thank you to NetGalley and MIRA publishing for my ARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own!

"The Happiness Blueprint" by Ally Zetterburg offers valuable insights into cultivating happiness, but falls short in providing unique or groundbreaking ideas. While the book is well-organized and easy to follow, it lacks depth in its exploration of the topic. Some readers may find the content to be too simplistic or repetitive, especially if they are already familiar with self-help literature. Overall, while there are nuggets of wisdom to be found, "The Happiness Blueprint" receives a modest three-star rating.

The Happiness Blueprint is a lovable rom-com featuring Alex and Klara, two lovable characters who are struggling with grief, self acceptance, and change in their own ways. As the two are forced together under these circumstances, their relationship quickly becomes apparent to the reader, but the spark takes much longer for the characters to realize. Despite it’s drawn out timeline, the Happiness Project is an enjoyable, engaging rom-com that deals with grief and neurodivergence with the respect these topics deserve.

This was a cute and refreshing read! I enjoyed this read and learning about the characters. I do think that they progressed a bit too quickly for the story line. I like that the setting of this book is different than many books that I read. The cover of this book is not my favorite. I'm not sure that I would pick this cover up in a store.

Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for the e-ARC of the debut novel The Happiness Project.
Publish Date 4/2/24

The Happiness Project is an amazing read alternating POVs between Klara and Alex, two unforgettable characters. The book deals with a lot of heavy topics, but still is lighthearted and fun. I look forward to the next book by Ally Zetterberg!

this was a fun book to read! i liked the characters and representation! it was a bit slow at times, but i enjoyed my time

Really authentic depiction of type 1 diabetes, as well as depression, grief, and adult diagnosed autism. Steeping in grief or undiagnosed autism comes with a fair amount of gloom and dark moments, which appropriately felt hard to read at times. Includes a third act twist, drawing in surprise for the reader. I loved watching Alex's friend and brother in law support him, almost as much as I loved watching Alex realize he loved Klara. I would have loved to see more spice featured (this is just kissing). Shows women leading a company, which we always love!

3/5 stars
Not spicy

- Quirky, strong, neurodivergent FMC
- neurodivergent, dedicated MMC
- moderate pacing
- dual POV
- slow burn
- unique writing style
- miscommunication trope

This story is sweet, but a little slow. There is just so much detail that it bogs the book down a bit.

I love the representation of neurodivergence in the book, and I felt the character development and the friendship between Klara and Alex was done thoroughly and genuinely. Written as journalist entries, Google searches, conversations, text messages, and first person POV, it makes for an interesting read.

Book review:

Klara is the youngest child in her family, taking over the family business in Sweden while her father is ill and undergoing treatment for his cancer. While managing the business, she meets Alex, still working through depression since his brothers recent fatal car accident. Alex seizes the opportunity to work in the small construction company that Klara is running in her father’s absence, and they form a strong friendship. They navigate living in Sweden, cultural differences, and bonding over the impending trial for Alex’s brother, eventually leading to a miscommunication betrayal, which they both fight to overcome.

This was so good! I loved it! And I love that both Klara and Alex have real issues in their health department and in their lives, it makes them so relatable and likeable. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.
I just reviewed The Happiness Blueprint by Ally Zetterberg. #TheHappinessBlueprint #NetGalley
[NetGalley URL]

The author did a good job with this one. The two lead characters had emotional issues within their personal lives. Klara has to take over of father's construction company while he fights cancer. She is unsure if she is up for the challenge and doesn't want it.
Alex is grieving the loss of his brother, while his life has spiraled out of control. They both have supportive families. They connect through a shared work calendar. The love story was really cute. It was a little slow going in the beginning but picked up around the middle. There are triggers, death, cancer, autism. They worked through their issues, which made the story engaging.

I really enjoyed this book. It was a very cute love story. I appreciate the diabetic representation. The miscommunication is a highly prevalent trope through the book so I wouldn't reccomend this book to those who do not enjoy that trope.

I really tried to like this book. I had a hard time reading it. It seemed choppy, and I found myself rereading sentences. I also had trouble pronouncing a lot of the Swedish terminology. That certainly didn’t help me with the comprehension of the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for allowing me to read an early copy of The Happiness Blueprint by Ally Zetterberg in exchange for my honest review.


This was a sweet and heartfelt love story. It’s about Klara and Alex who are going through a lot in their personal lives but are able to connect in spite of what’s going on around them. I appreciated the representation of type 1 Diabetes, grief, depression, and neurodivergence. It’s refreshing to see characters going through real-life issues. Also, how these setbacks don’t define them and how they can learn to live with issues that impact many people.


The writing style was hard for me to get into. The way things were worded and how they flowed, I had to keep rereading sentences, I know some of that was on purpose to show Alex’s mental state, but I even felt Klara’s sections were hard to get into. Once I got going with it, I did end up enjoying this story. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a newer concept of a love story with an unexpected twist toward the end.

In 'The Happiness Blueprint,' Ally Zetterberg weaves a heartwarming tale of two lost souls—one grappling with grief and the other with societal acceptance.

Klara, navigating social nuances through Google, and Alex, paralyzed by grief, intertwine when Klara returns to Sweden, managing her father's business and hiring Alex. The poignant narrative delves into neurodivergence, portraying Klara's struggles and triumphs, shedding light on the challenges in a neurotypical world.

The book, a mix of heartfelt moments and humor, resonates with the reader, providing insights into the complexities of being neurodivergent. The chemistry between Alex and Klara adds an adorable touch, while the well-crafted plot and vivid characters make it a compelling read.

Special thanks to MIRA/Harlequin and NetGalley for the ARC.

Summary :
In Ally Zetterber's novel "The Happiness Blueprint," readers are introduced to Klara and Alex, two individuals grappling with personal challenges while navigating the complexities of life. Klara, who has always felt like an outlier in a world of conformity, finds herself at a crossroads as she confronts her own health struggles and the need for change. Meanwhile, Alex is reeling from the loss of his brother and grappling with unemployment and isolation.

Honest Opinion:
"The Happiness Blueprint" is a touching and humorous exploration of love, acceptance, and the challenges of navigating life as neurodivergent individuals in a neurotypical world. With moments of laughter and poignant insights, this novel draws readers into the lives of Klara and Alex, two characters whose struggles and triumphs resonate long after the final page. With the strong plot and vivid characterization, this book keeps you engaged from start to finish, offering surprising plot twists. I found this to be thought-provoking and has unforgettable characters.

Thank you very much to Harlequin and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

It was a bit slow in the beginning for me. Although I did appreciate the inclusion of the main characters having and focus on their mental health and other medical concerns. It brought in and showed that yes I have been diagnosed with it but it doesn’t necessarily define me as an individual. It just brings an awareness on topics that can be considered taboo to talk about. Overall it was a good book.