I needed a change of pace rather than “thrillers” I’ve been reading, and this one fit the bill! It just seems that all of my library books have been coming in lately are thrillers so I decided to read this ARC I got from NetGalley. The Secret Ingredient for a Happy Marriage is the 2nd book by Shirley Jump and even though I haven’t read the first book by her, I didn’t feel like I needed to in order for this book to make sense. This book started out great and had a great flow to it until the end. I enjoyed all of the characters and I liked the story line. Nora drove me a little crazy with her constantly lying to all of her family pretending to be Mrs. Perfect with the Perfect family but overall, I enjoyed this book. I received this ARC from the publisher through NetGalley for my honest reviews.

In this second book in the O'bannon series by Shirley Jump, we see the dependable sister Nora's life falling apart. Her house is in foreclosure because he husband Ben gambled away their money, her daughter Sarah is getting into fights at school and won't talk to Nora, and the pressure of always having to portray her life as perfect is starting to weigh heavily on her. When NOra asks her husband for a divorce things go from bad to worse and Nora feels she will never be able to get herself above water financially or emotionally again.
This story was beautifully written, mostly from Nora's POV, but we do get a glimpse in to the minds and hearts of the youngest O'Bannon sister Maggie ( Magpie) and Colleen, the family matriarch as well.. There is a great deal of emotion written between these pages, and at times I felt as overwhelmed reading about Nora's problems as she was living them.
The O'Bannon's own a bakery and a great deal of the problems Nora is facing she works through while working, something I think most women can relate to. Nora is the family glue for her husband and children, and when that glues start to release its hold, Nora's life unravels with it.
The secret ingredient to a happy marriage, Jump has shown us, is individualistic. It can be forgiveness, tolerance, and acceptance, or it can just be the most simple of things: love.
I have my own idea which one it is for this story, but since I don't like spoilers, I'm not telling it here! Read the book and form you own opinion on exactly what it is.
5 stars from me for another Shirley Jump treasure,

Nora has always been the strong one, with the husband, the children, the house. After financial problems, and the threat of losing her house, Nora questions whether she should stay married to Ben. The second in the O'Bannon Sisters series will play with your heart as much as the first book, and brings back all four O'Bannon sisters and their mother Colleen, as well as the bakery they own. The challenges facing Nora revolve around her effort to be perfect in everyone's eyes, and as she hides the truth, everything begins to unravel. I recommend this book if you enjoy women's fiction about family relationships and women finding out what they need to become stronger.

The Secret Ingredient for a Happy Marriage
Shirley Jump
Available: May 15, 2018
Thank you to NetGalley.com for the opportunity to read an Advanced Reader Copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
The very Irish-Catholic O’Bannon sisters are back. That’s a good thing as life in the Boston bakery is rather interesting - 4 strong personalities (5 if Magpie is in town) in close quarters can make for some interesting times.
What I loved: I think my favorite part would be the changes in Colleen – at a time in her life when sometimes the elderly become even more entrenched in their ways, Colleen is being open to change and then embrasing it. In every book so far in the series, Colleen has grown leaps and bounds over her daughters and it is a beautiful thing to see.
What I didn’t love: Nora that martyr isn’t my favorite sister – probably because I can see so much of myself in her. I didn’t love the ending – probably because I can’t wrap my head around how you can just let the past two years be like it was nothing.
What I learned: Nourishing a passion in another person can be as rewarding as pursuing your passion.
Overall Grade: B

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