
Member Reviews

Such a fun quick read about three friends who decide to make a promise to each other to achieve their new years goals (their happiness project). The characters were great and relateable.

This was a feel good story about friends and family. Navigating relationships and trying to achieve personal goals is the main premise. A nice light read; I would recommend.
I would like to thank NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this for free in exchange for an honest review.
This was an interesting read for me. I wasn't aware there was a previous book so I did feel somewhat dropped into the story though I was able to find my footing pretty quickly It took me a while to get into it though. I like the concept of the novel and it's executed decently enough. I did find it to be slow in parts and I wasn't totally emotionally connected to the characters, but I think the characters would be relatable to some readers. This feels more like a slice of life novel. When the book ends they are still in the first half of the year. Now that I know what to expect from this author, I may read the next book as I am curious about certain plot points in the book and how they progress.

Three women all decide to make New Years Revolutions to change their lives for the better. Be more present, eat better, get a job you love and just be more happy!
I enjoyed reading about these women as they make the changes in their lives. Some of the ladies I completely loved and connected and others I was like ekkk lol but that is us. As moms and women we all are different, have different parenting techniques and just think differently and that is ok! We should embrace other women!
I really enjoyed The Happiness Project and look forward to read more from Pippa James!

Alison, Kate, and Frankie are all young mothers who know they need to make some changes in their lives. They might not admit this, even to themselves, but when Alison proposes they make a New Years resolution to do so, they're all in. Each of them has an issue- and each of them deals with it. Frankie wants a job, Kate wants zen, and Alison, well Alison really needs to get over herself. You might quibble with one or more of them but think about how realistic they are. Not all of us are always likable either! Thanks to net galley for the ARC. This is well done domestic drama. I missed the first book so this was a standalone for me- and I enjoyed it.

I couldn't help but start this a few hours after I finished I Will Survive, and I'm glad I did as it meant I didn't have to try to remember anything, and it just felt like a continuation, ok a few months on but that's natural.
As a result I really can't comment on whether this works as a stand alone but I would recommend you read both books as they are equally fabulous, although with a slightly different vibe to them.
The Happiness Project felt more about all three women bettering themselves, and trying to keep to their New Years Resolutions that were renamed as a happiness project in order to make it sound simpler.
Frankie is the character I keep coming back to and really have a soft spot for her. She is chaotic, trying her hardest to be a responsible adult for Liam but never seems to quite go about things the right way. I loved seeing her at her new job, and there are some wonderful personality traits coming through for her.
Alison has all manner of resolutions, most of which don't seem to work but the one that pushes her outside of her comfort zone the most leads to one of the most enjoyable last sections of a book that I've read recently. I was laughing and smiling at what she was up to.
And then there is Kate, and I'd say most of her story line this time is more to do with another pregnant friend Nat, and their vastly different parenting styles. I would love to see more of Nat and see how she is getting on in another book.
I loved the fun feel to the previous book is still present, and despite the title, it wasn't really too much a look at the characters happiness in a deep way - it just felt like a natural continuation of the first book, but there was a sad event overshadowing everything but I'm glad from my own point of view that it didn't feel overly emotional - or it may just be because it was inevitable.
I really enjoyed probably about 98% of the book, the only bit that has frustrated me was the ending. All I'm going to say is I really hope that we see more of these characters as that really did feel far too much like an ending for now. If nothing else I want to see what the summer term brings for these mothers and their kids.
Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

I was excited to read this book because I am engaged in my own happiness project this year based on Gretchen Rubin's non-fiction book by the same name. Unfortunately, I was not aware that this was a follow-up book to I Will Survive, so from the beginning, I felt as though I had popped into the middle of a story. Perhaps, I would have enjoyed this more had I read its predecessor, but while the story is light, there is very little character development making the plot rather flat and predictable. What I found about this book is that I felt almost no emotional investment. It isn't bad, I just couldn't relate to the characters, any of them, enough to make me care about them or what happened to them. The plot feels choppy and unfinished despite reaching the end of the book. I am not certain I have ever felt more middle of the road about a book than this one. I wanted to enjoy it so much more, but it just fell entirely flat for me.

Amazing story! Such a sweet read. really enjoyed it! Great read for anyone looking to find a great one to curl up with!

The characterisation is a little bit jumbled and the pace of the book is off. Two things could have been the central plot; a character trying to move forward from the death of her mother in law who she was very close to or; friends coming together to achieve new year resolutions. Neither of those themes was well developed even though they were referred to often. By the end, I honestly just wasn't rooting for anyone one way or the other, I found it hard to really care. I was happy they found their personal triumphs and strengthened their relationships but the journey to get there was honestly kind of long-winded and bland. I would still recommend as an easy read.

As the blurb mentions, this story is about 3 women who are trying to become happier in their lives as a New Years resolution. Alison, Kate and Frankie are 3 young mums each with their own issues in life including single parenthood, mothering anxiety and crazy PTA meetings. While the interactions between the three friends is certainly realistic and the author does a good job at making you feel involved, I felt there was a lot left unresolved in the book that the ending didn't address - the book ends within the first few months of the year. Also, there's no real rationale for some of the character's motivations and their partners' behaviors. At times I almost felt like I watched a random few episodes in the middle of a long running TV show. Easy read but could have been better.

Note: I received a free ARC of this book through NetGalley.
Let me start off by saying that when I chose this book, I looked at the title and thought it was going to be a self help book teaching you how to be happier in life. So imagine my surprise when I started to read, only to find out it is a fiction book about three women coming together to make their New Years Resolutions. That sounds kind of cliché right? But I loved how the individual stories about each woman and her resolution became mingled together and worked as one big story. You have the typical lose weight one, which so many women make each year and begin to fail at after about a month or two...but within that story, she decides to go one step further and do it in a way that takes her out of her comfort zone. That is the kind of idea I am drawn to. Nothing ever grows in a comfort zone. Another woman decides to become more zen, which I think we should all give a shot at. There are so many things that happen in the world that we can't control so why do we let it get to us so much? The third woman just wants to be able to become a better adult...one who can be a better mom and maybe hold down a job while she does it.
All of these women have something comparable to most women of the world if we are being honest with ourselves. I loved how what started it all was the death of someone that made a difference...throughout the book, they face challenges but they overcome them and in the meantime, they become closer to each other. All in all, I really liked this book. It deserves 3 1/2 stars but that wasn't an option.

A warm and wonderful story about three friends. Kate, who is pregnant, Frankie, who is starting a new job, and Alison, who is trying something new. I liked the characters and the stories surrounding them, although I did wonder why some of them were friends. All are very different, and no background is given on how they became friends. Still though, enjoyed the book and highly recommend it. I read some of the other reviews, and felt like I must have read a different book. Light and fun, and one I enjoyed.

I'm torn between 3.5 and 4 stars for this one. I like the idea behind the book--I think following a group of women through their NYR is a great idea for a book, especially because all of their resolutions are very relate-able. However, what threw me right away, was the fact that it didn't seem like they were friends at all, yet they commit to this "pact" together. Frankie regards Alison, though only in her thoughts, as "Scary Alison"; this doesn't scream "friendship" to me.
I wish we got a longer look at the lives of the women--I just wanted to know more. Maybe a sequel will follow and we'll get that information. The characters were likable and the writing flowed smoothly. I like that each chapter focused on a different character because I feel like we got a more well-rounded narrative this way.
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.

All three of the main characters have been wronged in some way and have walls built up around them. After agreeing to The Happiness Project they try to better themselves and learn how to take the walls down and grow as individuals and in the friendships.
While there is nothing bad that stands out in this books I also can't think of anything noteworthy that stood out either. It is a basic women fiction book that makes you feel good after reading it. It gives you a little kick in the bum to move on your own life. Each of the three characters are at different places in their lives so it can be appreciated by almost any woman.
It was an okay book and if this is your type of read you will enjoy it. I just found it to be a little slow paced and repetitive at times.

While I enjoyed this book, I wish we got to see more of the three woman. They all made a New Years resolution, but the book only goes up to April. I would have loved to see Kate have her baby and how she maintains her zen-like attitude towards her pregnancy and handling three kids. I also wanted to see more from Frankie and how her, Ben, Liam, and Charlie got along as a family unit and how Frankie’s promotion worked out.
Alison was probably my least favorite character. I’m actually shocked that the book doesn’t center around her more. Because the description seemed to make it out like the huge catastrophic event happened to her and “the happiness project” was the result and it seemed like she was going to be the main focus of the book.
Still enjoyed the book, but wished that their storylines got tied up a little better at the end.

I read this author for the first time. I did not realize this was the second book in the series. I did not lost and enjoyed the book by itself but I want to read the first book to get the background. I really enjoyed the book and loved the characters. This is a great light read.

This was a light and entertaining read. I enjoyed following the stories of the women in this book although I think the “happiness project” of the title was only really touched on in the plot and could have been explored more to bring the women together as opposed to it being fairly separate stories. That said, I found it an enjoyable read. Thanks NetGalley!

First, thanks to #NetGalley for the opportunity to read an e-galley of this book.
I enjoyed this book about 3 moms who are friends, and their decision to do a happiness project (otherwise known as New Year's Resolution).
Frankie and Kate show up on Allison's doorstep. Allison just lost her Mother-in-law, Maggie, and Frankie and Kate show up to help make Allison feel better. They all 3 are good friends, but seem to have misconstrued ideas about each other and how they have it all together, or not.
They decide that instead of setting New Year's Resolutions that they most likely won't keep, they're going to set about on a Happiness Project. They each have to do something that is outside of their comfort zone, that will make them happier/ better in the long run.
Go on an adventure with each of them, until they all realize, they have accomplished their Happiness Projects!

The Happiness Project by Pippa James is a light, uplifting read about motherhood, friendship, and striving to live your best life.
The novel unfolds in three parallel storylines, the third person narratives of Alison, Kate, and Frankie. Following the death of her beloved mother-in-law Maggie, Alison is motivated to make some changes in her life,and enlists the help of her two friends to undertake a "Happiness Project." Each woman promises to strive towards a specific goal, such as becoming healthier, securing employment, or seeking to find her Zen. The women offer support to each other throughout their individual journeys and, essentially, take Maggie's life motto to heart - find joy by getting on with "just living".
If you are looking for inspiration to start your own happiness project, this is an inspiring and pleasant read. If nothing else, this novel reminds us that we don't need lists or mission statements to find happiness - it is, in fact, found in simply living our best lives with those we love.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC.

When 40-year-old Alison Lund’s perfect world falls apart she sets a New Year’s resolution with her friends to create a “happiness project.” Their goals are to make the most of every day, work on getting into shape, and to be more spontaneous. But, can they do all of this while trying to manage complex relationships, kids, friendships, work, and more? Frankie has vowed to take control of her life that is tumbling out of control. Kate has vowed to be more laid back during this pregnancy. And, Alison wants to figure out how to deal with the death of her mother-in-law. Can they make their project a success and improve their lives?
The plot lines are well-written and intertwine seamlessly. This book is a light, reassuring read for young mothers who are trying to keep everything running in their lives, and everyone else’s. It is funny and refreshing to know that you aren’t the only one who . . .