Mary Poppins- esque introduction by the home itself. An eerie reverence from a devoted home. Reminiscent of the giving tree- a home that remembers and loves its inhabitants in a magical way. A nemesis in Allison we love to hate in an emerging relatable influencer brand. Our heroine scorned by a colleague and lover, tossed into her mother’s arms (after being side stepped by her brother). We immediately love Keaton as a part of ourselves. Keaton’s drive into a picturesque beach town is reminiscent of every coastal vacation I’ve had. The heart stopping mystery emerging slow and sultry at the mention of a special dinner party. Becks diary entries are charming and a sweet diversion of entry into her minds eye as we form the basis for our devotion to her. The slow causal romance budding between Keaton and Bowen with the duckling Anderson in tow and their loving extended family in the dames. This story captured my attention and my admiration. Another Harvey Hit!!

My favorite Kristy Harvey book yet. This was fantastic. I loved the narrator and the setting- I’m about to move to Beaufort! I enjoyed the dual timeline and really learned quite a bit. The love interest grew on me but it took time and I still haven’t really forgiven him for his entrance. I finished very quickly because I couldn’t wait to find out what happened— this book is part love story, part historical fiction, and part mystery. Highly recommend.

An absolute masterpiece with a plot twist I did not see coming! The characters are all woven together in such a special, intricate way and it was so much fun getting to read about the place I love most, Beaufort, NC. Kristy Woodson Harvey never disappoints and always delivers the most beautifully written, original, heartwarming story that will have you longing for the coast in no time!

Keaton's grandmother and grandfather died years before she was born, but she's heard all the stories and knows that Becks and Townsend St. James were a legendary couple in Beaufort, South Carolina. Becks, especially, was the consummate hostess and entertainer. When Keaton's mother asks her to finally sell the historic family house in Beaufort, Keaton jumps at the chance for something productive to do, because she has just been dumped by her boyfriend and lost her job. She moves into the house to start getting it ready to sell -- it's a 70s time capsule, untouched since the day her grandparents died in an accident surrounded by mystery. Keaton wants to get to know her grandparents, keep their legacy alive, and find new love and a new life of her own. She does all this and more in this wonderful book, set in historic Beaufort among a great cast of characters. I look forward to recommending this title, especially for readers who enjoy Kristy Woodson Harvey's other books, as well as books by Mary Alice Monroe, Elin Hilderbrand, Mary Kay Andrews, Susan Mallery, Kristan Higgins, and Jill Shalvis.

I always love Kristy Woodson Harvey, but her latest, A Happier Life, might be my favorite. Perfect mix of mystery, likable characters and romance to make this the perfect "meatier" chic lit book. It will draw you in from the very first page until the end and leave you wanting it to never be over. Highly recommend!

Thank you to netalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

A Happier Life
By: Kristy Woodson Harvey
5💛💛💛💛💛

Harvey always deliver a heartfelt novel that gives me all the emotions filled with southern charm. I hated for this one to end.

The quote that made a huge impact in this novel is “What true love can do.”

Becks and Townsend had a happy marriage. Finding each other and going against all odds they know they were meant to be together.

Generations later their granddaughter Keaton is going back to her grandparents home to get it ready to sell. The house in the quaint town of Beaufort, NC and has been empty for decades and it’s a far cry from where she lives.

Keaton needs this fresh start! She did not know much about her grandparents so going back to their home virtually untouched she will find clues to her past.

I love how the chapters are broken up by a journal Becks has kept that add to the charm of this novel. Fall in love with this family while they heal from the past and bond over what they have lost.

The author notes are a MUST read for all of us including our fellow Friends and Fiction friends.

Make sure you have hours to read this one because you start you won’t want to finish!

Thank you Gallery Books for this advanced copy available June 25, 2024.
#ahappierlife, #kristywoodsonharvey, #friendsansfiction, #gallerybooks, #netgalley, #bookreview, #booksconnectus, #bookstagram, #stamperlady50

\ always count down until I can read the next KWH book and ran to read A Happier Life the second I got my hands on it.
Synopsis: After a work disaster, Keaton is in need of a fresh start. She leaves NYC behind and ends up in Beaufort, North Carolina to help put her late grandparent's house on the market.
In the past, we learn about Keaton's grandmother Becks from her POV and the years leading up to her and her husband's deaths.
What I loved:
- I always love multigenerational stories and the way KWH weaved together Keaton and Beck's stories was perfect
-KWH did a great job describing the small NC town, making me feel like I was part of the historic community
-The blend of women's fiction and romance with a tiny bit of history
-The single dad trope with Keaton's love interest and his amazing kid!!
-All the townspeople and how they went out of their way to help Keaton while she was putting the house on the market

A Happier Life, by Kristy Woodson Harvey, is filled with great characters who will have you engaged within the first chapter. A mystery, peppered with romance, and a great storyline make this a quick read. And, it's set in the coastal town of Beaufort, N.C.!!! Thanks, NetGalley and the publisher, for providing me with the ARC ebook I read and reviewed. All opinions are my own.

This book was a dream. The characters drew me in from the very first chapter! My only wish is that a series will follow! I need more of these characters! I also am now planning a trip to Beaufort because it just feels like a dream. Kristy never disappoints!!

This is a beautifully written love story. You will take on the emotions of the protagonists as you follow their life through seperate timelines.
The story has it all: love, life challenges, secrets, discovery, finding where you belong, death. It is worth the read.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC of this novel. This review is my own and no compensation was received.

This book is a wonderful story of family, the power of real love, and second chances. I absolutely must visit Beaufort now to see this beautiful setting for myself. KWH has delivered another incredible novel that will resonate with her readers. As usual, her writing has created a powerful story that cause her readers to think about their own lives and experiences. Truly a lovely story.

Kristy Woodson Harvey has written a great southern summer book! I will be recommending to the readers who enjoy a little romance, a town on a coast, and a bit of mystery. Keaton is running from a toxic personal and professional life when she lands in her grandparents home in Beaufort. The house is just as they left it when they disappeared in the 197o's. Between Keaton's story, and the writings of her grandmother Becks, you have the makings of an intriguing "beach read". I see this book being a hit for the summer! I always look forward to anything by Kristy Woodson Harvey and this one did not disappoint.

A love tale for the ages. ((Swoon)) Becks and Townsend were just about the sweetest couple you will ever read about. I loved “getting to know them” along side Keaton by reading their journals a little bit at a time. The way the story came together was so well done. I enjoyed the authors writing style and it was an easy and fun read while on vacation. Highly recommend!

*A sincere thank you to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for providing the advance copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.*

Loved this stunning, nostalgic story from KWH. Gosh, the sweet love story and family connections mixed with Beaufort real life… this book is everything you want in a “take me to another time” novel.

I always count down until I can read the next KWH book and ran to read A Happier Life the second I got my hands on it.

Synopsis: After a work disaster, Keaton is in need of a fresh start. She leaves NYC behind and ends up in Beaufort, North Carolina to help put her late grandparent’s house on the market. In the past, we learn about Keaton’s grandmother Becks from her POV and the years leading up to her and her husband’s deaths.

What I loved:
- I always love multigenerational stories and the way KWH weaved together Keaton and Beck’s stories was perfect
-KWH did a great job describing the small NC town, making me feel like I was part of the historic community
-The blend of women’s fiction and romance with a tiny bit of history
-The single dad trope with Keaton’s love interest and his amazing kid!!
-All the townspeople and how they went out of their way to help Keaton while she was putting the house on the market
-How this story was full of so much depth

I would like to thank Netgalley & Gallery Books for my ARC in exchange for my honest review. In my opinion, this is the best book from Kristy Woodson Harvey. I read it in less than 1 day. It had a "This is Us" vibe with bouncing between 1976 and current day. KWH's love for her hometown clearly comes through in this novel. I love the addition of her own dog Salt to our heroine, Keaton. I would have loved to see more from the Dockside Dames.

My ideas for the future spin offs include the following:

1). Cozy mystery with Dockside Dames solving murders

2). Harris comes to town to help hide a celebrity client from a PR nightmare. Love pursues. Keaton has moved next door and he stays in the family house but finds a pirate ghost :-)

I am looking forward to KWH's 2025 book but hopefully there is a Christmas book in her future.

A Happier Life by Kristy Woodson Harvey beautifully weaves together the lives of Keaton and Becks, two women connected through a charming house on Sunset Lane. In the present day, Keaton seeks solace and discovers family secrets in her childhood home, while in 1976, Becks navigates the challenges of her seemingly perfect life. The author writes about themes of family, love, and the complexities of personal fulfillment. The novel's dual timelines add depth and intrigue, drawing readers into a beautiful story that spans generations. Another amazing novel by Kristy Woodson Harvey!