Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC of this book. This is a heart-warming story about finding the things that are important in life. I think it would make a fantastic movie.

What Makes Us Happy


Roseanna leaves New York and moves to a totally different life in the country. Why? And can she survive the reactions of those she leaves behind?

A bird tapping on Roseanna's window opens her eyes to change needed in her life, and there and then she makes a drastic decision. As the reader gradually understand her reasons for this massive lifestyle change, so, through Roseanna's eyes, the reader is shown lots of interesting ideas on what makes people happy, alongside a great story with lots of interesting characters.

A thought provoking, and often fun, book about what heaven on earth can look like - and how different it may be to one's initial ideas. Naturally acceptance of what is right for one person might be totally wrong for another is included. A wonderful and uplifting novel.

4*s from me, as there were quite a few time changes in the novel, which I found confusing. However I just accepted them so they did not detract too much from the story.

There is a great list of discussion points at the end of the book, so definitely recommended for Book Clubs.

I cannot get enough of this author! Catherine Ryan Hyde does not disappoint once again. I love how the character Roseanna decides to make an escape from reality to a more serene place for herself. Don't want to give any spoilers, but it does make you think and put things into perspective. Definitely a must read! Loved it!

Roseanna is tired of the hustle and bustle of her high powered job in New York City. Her best friend dies way to early. Roseanna decides to leave the city in search of peace, quiet and alone time. What she finds isn’t necessarily what she expected. Catherine Ryan Hyde always leave you with things to ponder in life. A very enjoyable read.

A few weeks ago I received an ARC of Heaven Adjacent thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing and devoured it. Best selling author Catherine Ryan Hyde delivers yet another book worthy of the bestseller label. Roseanna wakes up one morning and thanks to a little birdie changes her life forever. As we age and life changes, our vision of peace, solitude, and Heaven often change with it. Roseanna teaches us that as long as your fully ready to embrace your ever evolving idea it’s never to late to live your version of them. This five star read comes out June 19th but is now available for pre order and is definitely worth the wait.

Roseanna was a high-powered attorney in Manhattan who lived a life with the best of everything- great apartment, a Maserati, etc. When her best friend and copartner lawyer died suddenly it made her rethink her life and ask do I really need all these possessions? She didn’t even really know her grown son and hated people being around, so being off the grid seemed a perfect way to live.
When driving the Maserati one day and about to run out of gas in a small town with no gas station, she discovered a small home. Small being one room with no conveniences and decided off the cuff to buy it and move there. Off the grid. No one knew where she was
After a reporter found her and did an article on her people found her. Would she mend her relationship with her son and would he understand why she moved away? And would the squatters on her land ever leave her or would she finally open her heart and let others who need help in?
A heartwarming story of love and growth.

I may not have wept copious tears with this as I have done for many of her works, but I did relish it in its entirety. If you are new to the author, do not get put off by the abruptness of the narration/writing in this book. The narration tends to weave itself in the style of the person whose mind we have the privilege of peeking into and in this book it is ex-lawyer Roseanne. Her life can be broken into a few crucial junctures at the time that we meet her. One would be before and after the death of Alice(more information will be in the book itself), and the other would be before and after her 'move'. We are introduced to her in an offbeat situation, with strange living conditions and stranger companions. This situation gets even more complicated when the past reconnects with her, partly causing her joy and the other bringing scary tidings. She is learning the ropes of living a life while actually living it instead of dreaming for something more. Any more revelation (by me here) would dampen the new thoughts that she unearths and shares with us, enough to brighten our day and for us to probably send out positive thoughts into the world(this is a common denominator in most of her books, which is what make them endearing).

To paraphrase the book (in order to convince anyone to put this book on their to-read list): this book is the analysis of choices,including those with regards to people we tend to associate with actually needing what we want. It would be a brilliant way to kickstart a discussion of any reading group over what it may mean to be human.

Catherine Ryan Hyde knows how to weave an awesome story! I found this one touching, funny, and thought provoking! There were times I found myself laughing out loud...then times I reached for a Kleenex. I so loved the story line and adored the characters right down to the animals! Bravo Catherine Ryan Hyde!! I would give more than 5 stars if i could!

Honestly, I started this book hating it. By the end I can't say I love it, but it's definitely not terrible. There's something about it I just can't enjoy though. I'm not sure if it's the writing style (which I originally thought) or the disappointly slow and cliche book itself. It's so predictable and boring. That's really it. It's boring. Dissillusioned woman retires early and unexpectedly because she's realized she hates being a high flier and goes to live basically on a farm with a little backstory - the entire book in one sentence. There's really no middle/end/beginning because it jumps around constantly. One minute it's before she moved the next it's months after and I really hate that. It could easily have been written chronologically and made much more sense. Another thing that annoyed me was the contradictions - she wants to live simply but won't give up her maserati, she wants to repair things with her son and then acts like a selfish B to him. Make your mind up lady!

I loved this book and the story of finding yourself while you are running away from pain and outside stimuli. It was funny, heartfelt, and philosophical at many different times in her journey. Another winner by Catherine Ryan Hyde.

Losing someone is never easy. Roseanna feels the need to escape when she loses her best friend, so she travels up into the mountains, and just settles where she stops. She wants solitude, but becomes surrounded by people and animals who need her but support her at the same time. She's able to reconnect with her son, who has withheld himself from her for many years. She finds her piece of heaven in upstate NY.
Ms. Hyde addresses what we all feel as we get older. We have to be honest with ourselves; life doesn't go on forever. We need to find our own piece of heaven-find out what works for us. I think that's important, and that's what I took away from the story.

I loved this book! So heartfelt and sincere.. highly recommend

Another great read by this author. In truly wonderful fashion, CRH has created another wonderful story showcasing the resilience of the human spirit.

Catherine Ryan Hyde never disappoints. If you are looking for a book with meaning to take you on an inner voyage this is it. They say the longest journey is about 18 inches - from your head to your heart. Roseanna, a high-powered attorney, took me on that journey with her when a defining moment in her life makes her question her current lifestyle and what she really wants and needs to be happy. Catherine tells the story so beautifully and with such rich characters that are so easy to love.

Every time I read a Catherine Ryan Hyde book I think “Wow, this is her best story yet!” But the truth is, they’re all good! What I like best about them is that they are not just entertaining, but that they also have valuable life lessons. In Heaven Adjacent, the author writes her characters to be both interesting and true to life. This particular story makes you stop and think about what’s really important in your life, what do you truly value? Is it money, material objects or family? Due to a friends untimely death, the main character, Roseanna, I think comes to realize that maybe you shouldn’t put off till tomorrow what you can do today, so to speak. That life is too short and unpredictable to not enjoy yourself and appreciate what really holds value and meaning to you. I think there are a lot of people that could learn a thing or two from reading this. I would like to thank Netgalley, Lake Union Publishing and author, Catherine Ryan Hyde for allowing me the chance to read an ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts. I enjoyed this immensely and have given it 5 stars.

I am looking for balance in my life after over thirty years in the education field. I am facing many of the same decisions that Roseanna did. Although she found her profession fulfilling, after the sudden death of a best friend, Roseanna feels the need for a change and walks (or drives) away from everything. As she attempts to build an new life and relationships, Roseanna finds peace with her new life. Catherine Ryan Hyde has written another award winner.

This was such a great book. I loved Roseanna, Lance, Nelson, Martin, Patty and Willa. I even loved Earnest and Buzzy. This book was a wonderful look at life and making sure that you don't miss it. I enjoyed Lance and Roseanna's interaction. Their honesty with each other was refreshing.

I really enjoyed the message of this book. I find that Catherine Ryan Hyde books always have a nice message and perspective.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing.

Another beautiful story by Catherine Ryan Hyde! . Her main character Roseanna leaves a high powered job in the city, looking for peace and quiet. She thinks she has found it in a small town and quickly relocates her life there without a second thought. Although the last thing she ends up getting is a quiet life. I love how Ms. Hyde really pulls you into a character , almost as if you personally know them. Her description of locations always make me feel like I am there and this book was no exception!

I am a big fan of CRH. This is the eighth book of hers that I have read, but the first to receive less than 5 stars.
I like the story line: a hard driven Manhattan lawyer walks away from her firm when her best friend dies suddenly. She drives her Maserati into the country and buys a secluded piece of property, only to find herself surrounded by new friends.
However,the conflict in the story is not fully developed. She is threatened with a lawsuit by her former law partner. The book never explains the basis for the claim or why a former partner would have a claim against her. I enjoyed the book but couldn’t get around the lack of information about the pending claim that represents the primary conflict in the book. Hence , 4 stars.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for proving a prepublication version of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Another masterpiece by Catherine Ryan Hyde!