I didn't realise this was a sequel and enjoyed this book as a standalone novel. A heartwarming story of three women which I enjoyed. A relatable story of ups and downs, family friendships and how to find happiness.

Well written with characters you can empathise with, I recommend this book as a perfect holiday read or for a Sunday afternoon on the sofa.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Firstly thanks go to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC. Unfortunately I found this book to be mundane. The characters and the storylines were believable representations of everyday life but, let's be honest, I don't go to fiction for everyday mudane.

A fun uplifting story about friendship, motherhood, and life!

This book is a follow-up to Pippa Jame’s “I Will Survive” you could read it as a standalone, but why would you want to? Pippa James has created some very likable relatable and real characters that you will soon think of as friends... Allison, Kate, and Frankie are all very different women, but I could see a piece of myself in each of them... I think this is the true power of this book one or all of the characters will resonate with most women in one way or another... and as a mother of three whose days of navigating school drop off and pick up are long over it was nice to reminisce...

The book starts off with the three ladies making New Year’s resolutions or as they chose to call them a happiness project... to be more healthy, to be more Zen, to be more responsible, to step out of your comfort zone.... all things that are easier said than done especially when you live in the real world and have young children... Allison is trying to be a little more like her recently deceased mother-in-law Maggie, but those are pretty big shoes to fill... Kate is trying to be a little more zen during her third pregnancy, although her friend Natalie is not making this easy... Frankie is just trying to hold on to her job, hold on to her man, and hold her family together.... three women with the benefit of a strong friendship with one another, I am a firm believer that we all need good girlfriends in our lives!

This book was well paced I felt as though I was spending the day with some good friends, while reading this book...

Mud, a wedding, flip-flops, home brewed vegan beer, mud, and more mud, all made for a fantastic book... what Allison gets herself into in this book was a lot of fun to read! And the interactions between Kate and her so called friend Natalie made my blood boil... there is seriously nothing more annoying than somebody who has not had kids yet judging how you parent, it’s annoying enough with the person has kids, but parenting is hard and it’s personal and people need to stay in their own lane! Can you tell this is a bit of an issue for me? That’s not to say I never said my kids will never... before I had kids, and let me tell you that bit me back for sure! Ugh! Funny enough Frankie the most colorful character probably had the tamest storyline, although she had some major character growth and that was fun to watch....

A delightful story all about the good, the bad, and the ugly side of motherhood and womanhood! Recommend!

<h1>🎵🎵🎵 Song Running Through My Head </h1>

<i>Here's a little song I wrote
You might want to sing it note for note
Don't worry, be happy
In every life we have some trouble
But when you worry you make it double
Don't worry, be happy
Don't worry, be happy now
don't worry
(Ooh, ooh ooh ooh oo-ooh ooh oo-ooh) be happy
(Ooh, ooh ooh ooh oo-ooh ooh oo-ooh) don't worry, be happy
(Ooh, ooh ooh ooh oo-ooh ooh oo-ooh) don't worry
(Ooh, ooh ooh ooh oo-ooh ooh oo-ooh) be happy
(Ooh, ooh ooh ooh oo-ooh ooh oo-ooh) don't worry, be happy
Ain't got no place to lay your head
Somebody came and took your bed
Don't worry, be happy
The landlord say your rent is late
He may have to litigate
Don't worry, be happy
Oh, ooh ooh ooh oo-ooh ooh oo-ooh don't worry, be happy
Here I…</i>

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=L3HQMbQAWRc

*** many thanks to Bookouture for my copy of this book ***

Brilliant plot, excellent main characters that you invest in. I read this book in one sitting and I would highly recommend it.

Frankie, Katie, and Alison. Three women, three mothers, different lives and personalities. What a breeze of fresh and funny air do those ladies bring! Kicking stereotypes in the bottom as well as liberating us from the impression we women can have of each other, The Happiness Project is a beautiful tale of friendships through good and bad days. I just loved getting to know these women – three different point of views to help the reader figure out the truth from the appearances, the reality behind perfection, and face our own fears and insecurities.

Alison is ‘the perfect mother’. Home-cooked cakes for school events or dinners, pristine house, never a hair out of place. But it is exhausting maintaining such a high-maintenance lifestyle. Especially when you lose the maternal figure you looked up to, the constant in your life that brought joy, comfort, and love. Finally, a novel in which the mother-in-law is not a loathed cunning monster for whom her son can do no wrong! I felt Maggie’s absence through Alison and her husband’s grieving process, beautifully written, emotions perfectly conveyed. I couldn’t help but side with Alison and get quite upset with her husband’s reactions. No, Alison is not what you’d call spontaneous, yes, she plans things and double checks things, but that’s not a bad thing. Okay, that may be because I connected the most with her, so I just HAD to take her defense. But I stand by what I say, although I do understand her hubby trying to help her to let go of the perfectionism that regulates her life in order to enjoy life a little more.

Frankie…Alison’s opposite! Single mother trying to make ends meet with small jobs, juggling a boyfriend and an ex – and father of her boy who wants in in his life. Frankie is quite busy! She might appear strong and confident but it is only a façade. My heart ached for her whenever she did her best but felt she wasn’t enough, comparing herself to Alison, unfairly unleashing her insecurities on her. Unfair but so true. I can’t say I would never react his way. It felt so natural, and the author created the perfect little snippets of life to show just how quick we are to snap, to retreat into the ‘anger zone’, to stubbornly stay on one’s position when we know we are wrong. I loved Frankie for her boundless love and her complicated, ‘I’m worrying but there’s no way on earth I’m letting you know’ way. She has a giant heart and witty remarks that made the reading really cute, hilarious, and kept things on the extreme side of things. Frankie is all about ‘go big or go home’!

Katie. Mother of two and a half (what? It’s in her uterus, it only gets half points!!!) wondering if her marriage is okay and how to deal with this new pregnancy. There is such stigma around what pregnancy should be like, how women must react to it, but there are also different schools and it can be hard to find the way that suits you through the process. When an old friend comes back into her life with a completely different lifestyle and view on what being an expecting mother is, Katie must come to terms with what she really wants to be, feel, and give to her next kid. I really enjoyed hearing about her first baby, followed too soon by the second, not giving her the chance to fully get into “pregnancy” mode, and that step back with this third baby, the reflection, the determination to do things the right way. But most of all, the idea that even if it’s the third time your body hosts a guest, you don’t have all the answers, even if some things come more easily, more naturally.

So, where does the happiness project fit into those lives? Well, all three women want change, and the New Year is the perfect time for some resolutions. Each picks a goal, wills herself to stick to it, and drink to a better life. That’s on paper! The reality is trickier, fuller, more colourful, and so much better! With heart and fun, those three friends tackle the months to follow with an intention in mind, not always in action, but forever holding the others’ hand (even with less enthusiasm at times!).

What begins as a simple list of goals ends up inspiring Alison, Katie, and Frankie, and me! I was moved by the obstacles they faced, the joys they felt, and those little moments of thoughts and doubts. What a treat!

The Happiness Project is heart-warming. It’s the kind of books that smells like the right subtle incense in the house to make it a home, like the skillfully prepared mug of tea in your hand, like life itself. Tantrums, muds, long hours, walks, laughs – months of their lives pass by and I devoured them in one sitting, escaping the bitter cold of Bordeaux to share hours with women who remind you that you have it in you to be happy. Uplifting, filled with emotions and laughing-out-loud moments, The Happiness Project brings a smile to your face and happiness to your mind!

This book was a bit out of my age range but i enjoyed it none the less. I hadn't read the first book but I don't think you need to. I will refer this to the younger women in my class.

When you whoop for joy at the end of a book you know the author has created something special. I completely loved this book and devoured it in one day as it was too good to put down. The struggles of life, family and motherhood are an absolute mind field where rules change on a daily basis and everyone is a critic. This book highlights these issues with perfect humour and the right amount of tongue in cheek.

Now let me introduce you to the three leading ladies......Frankie is a perfect mess and my outright favourite. The chaos that is her life brought the best comic relief moments to the book and I found her haphazard approach to life endearing and heartwarming. Alison is striving for perfection but is her own worst enemy, but her journey throughout the book brought the most satisfaction in terms of growth and self acceptance. Kate was an instantly likeable character and I spent the majority of the book feeling indignation on her behalf. The joys of pregnancy knows no bounds but contrasting approaches to motherhood can only lead to disaster and my heart went out to her on many occasions.

The Happiness Project is an uplifting and feel good story that will leave you wanting more.....hint hint hint. I absolutely feel like these women have so much more to say and look forward to reading their next chapter in life in the near future.

Frankie and Kate arrive at Alison’s home on New Year’s Eve bearing wine. Alison convinces them to make New Years Resolutions and so they plan the changes they want to make for the coming year.

Alison wants to exercise more to get back her fitness. Kate wants to find more zen during her third pregnancy, to just enjoy it this time round. Frankie just wants a job and not the multi-drop parcel delivery she has just quit...

Each of these women must make their way with the various parenting problems, some relationship issues and past friends all trying to fulfil their happiness project.

The three friends are very different, ‘scary’ Alison is the ultimate organiser and part earth mother. Kate is quite shy and generally stressed by life...Frankie flits about, moody, scatty and lovable.

I love Pippa James’ writing, the way the three friends interact, with their relatable problems and insecurities feels so real. The question I’m sure every mother has asked, am I doing this right ? What makes a good mother? And the pressure women feel to be able to do it all is immense and this is reflected in this tale wonderfully.

This is not all airy and light, the friends do have arguments and issues are serious but it’s also got its light times with some laugh out loud moments to break the tension.

Pippa James has written a completely relatable, funny, heartwarming novel about being a mother, a friend and ultimately happiness.....wonderful.


I would like to thank the Author/bookouture/NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book for free in exchange for a fair and honest review

A fun light hearted read about 3 friends,it was a quick read and did enjoy it
I probably would have preferred to read the first book ‘I Will Survive’ as well but it did work as a stand alone

Perfect chick lit! I loved the premise and the characters were well developed! I recommend this for anyone looking for a light and fun read!

A wonderfully written story of three very different women who are challenge each other in the best of ways, even if it means being a little, okay hugely pushy and annoying! I had moments where I wondered what brought these women together and why they even liked each other. For them to be any more different than each other would have required herculean effort. I honestly at times found them and their pushiness and overwhelming invasiveness bordering on annoying, mean, self-serving and a little hateful and wanted to stop reading. Had this not been an advanced readers copy I may have put down and revisited at a later. I am so glad I did not have the time to do so! I truly enjoyed getting to watch them all grow, support push, at times seriously annoy, push back at each other and yet embrace the love and forge ahead to lead better more fulfilled lives. Life is hard even on the best of days and to have such wonderful friends to help you through all the while finding some humor in it is a wonderful gift.

The moment this book is released I recommend reading it! We all hope to have such great friendships.

Happy Release Day!

Thank you at NetGalley for my advanced copy of The Happiness Project.

Alison, Kate, and Frankie are three young mothers in their 20s with different family dynamics. Alison, the overachiever, PTA, and perfectionist supermom. Kate, the pregnant DIY expert who is hard on herself for not being as informed or as positive as her pregnant friend Natalie. Frankie, the bold and outspoken single mom who is adjusting to the demands of parenting, a new job, and dating.

On New Year’s Eve they decide to set resolutions that they refer to as the Happiness Project; Alison wants to be more fit, Kate wants to be Zen during her pregnancy, and Frankie wants to maintain steady job.

The book was relatable. I like the in-depth look at their struggles. There were moments when they felt they were failing as wives or mothers and hoped they could be more like the other. A reminder that what we show the world doesn’t always align with how we feel on the inside. I really liked that the three women were supportive of each other. I loved how the different family dynamics played a role on their struggles and perspectives; the working moms versus the stay-at-home mom. Different parenting styles; no screen time versus electronics filled households. It shows that parenting is not a one size fits all, each family must figure out what works best for them.

I haven’t read the first book I Will Survive and find that this book works as a stand-alone. This book is primarily a light heartwarming story about friendship, family, love, and losses. It’s inspiring and reminds us that we need to cut ourselves some slack on the journey of life while surrounding ourselves with people who inspire us and push us outside our comfort zone. I would have enjoyed reading more about their romantic relationships and their family life, but I think the intention was to focus on their supportive friendships.

I look forward to reading more by this author!

We are back with Frankie, Alison and Kate for another relatable tale about motherhood and regaining your confidence after a baby. 'The Happiness Project' is the second book in the series and, if you haven't read the first book, 'I Will Survive', don't worry too much as each one can be read as a stand-alone.

Out of the two books I think this one has to be my favourite because the vibe was more relaxed and less forced. I will admit that I wasn't too sure of the storyline to begin with as I couldn't work out what was happening in amongst the whinging between characters, however as the story progressed the main characters seemed to relax a bit more and I found myself giggling at the one liners more often than not.

It was great to see a different side to Alison, especially as she was thought of as the 'up her own backside' one who was 'practically perfect in every way'. Of course that wasn't the case as she was just organised and thought a lot about what people thought of her and her choices.

All in all, 'The Happiness Project' left me with a big smile on my face. The way in which certain characters came together at the end just made me feel as though I was on a cloud. Sometimes, even though you may be annoyed at something someone has done or what they've said, you end up realising that being the bigger person is more advantageous to your own mental health. I thought the way in which Kate stood up for her choices whilst pregnant (finally) was brilliant and it just highlighted how different everyone is, which of course isn't bad at all.

An uplifting, sitting on a cloud read which made me giggle many times.

Three twenty something friends with kids who all attend the same school make their New Year’s Resolutions together turning it into The Happiness Project. The book is not indicated as part of a series, but when I got to the end there was a note mentioning you could read more about the characters in a previous book. This cleared a few things from the beginning of the story for me. It can definitely be read as a stand alone but there were some references to previous situations or interactions that were a bit vague, so I’m sure reading the previous book would help.
The story included many situations I’ve experienced as a mother: self doubt, trying to fit in with other moms and feeling left out when you don’t, comparing mothering styles to others and feeling judged. So, from that perspective it seemed fairly relatable. The Happiness Project was a bit silly and not taken too seriously, which kind of bothered me at first since the book is named after it. But how many people really do anything with their New Year’s resolutions, I suppose? On a side note, one of the women, Kate, had a friendship outside of this group that was a bit frustrating at times. But it did make me think about how to be friends with someone who pushes their values on you in an effort to get you to do what is “right” or to do things their way. And, also to be careful not to judge the way others do things if they don’t align with the way you live your life.
Overall I enjoyed this book as a light hearted depiction of a mom’s thoughts and experiences, but I didn’t love it.

For me, this book was just ok. I feel like it was a washed out version of what it could have been. The highs weren't high enough and the lows weren't low enough. Sure things happened in the story, but I felt like the only action was Frankie overreacting to situations around her. Even at the beginning when the premise of the book was established, I didn't feel like the characters were even committed to the concept that would theoretically drive the plot of the book. I gave it 3, versus 2, stars because despite never feeling like we got to the action of the story, it was a cute diversion. Maybe this would be better as a mindless beach read?

I wish I'd known this was a follow up to a previous book beforehand. Having not read the prior book, I felt a little lost in the beginning being dropped into an ongoing storyline about this group of women. I loved the premise of the book - friends making a pact to work on improving their happiness. I wish I could identify with the characters, most of whom are mothers of young kids, but I couldn't. It says something that my favorite character was a dead woman. I think for a certain audience, and especially for fans of the author's first book, this book will be a good fit, but for me it was only okay.

Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

This is the story of three friends – Alison, Kate and Frankie. If you have read the author’s previous book, I Will Survive, you will recognise these women already! They were the main characters from this book and whilst they all had vastly different personalities, they all became close friends when they met at their children’s school. In this book we meet up with the ladies again right at New Year. Alison’s world has just come crashing down around her after her mother in law, Maggie passes away and she decides they all need a New Year’s Resolution, which she calls The Happiness Project. For the three of them, their resolutions consist of keeping fit, being healthier and learning how to live again. Vowing to be more like Maggie, Alison tries to find her happiness back but finds it more difficult than she could ever imagine.

I didn’t realise at first that this was a follow on from I Will Survive, the thing that attracted me to the book initially was the beautiful cover! When I realised that I had met these characters before, I reread my review from the previous book just to give me a reminder of who they were. By doing that I remembered how much I had enjoyed that book and the characters, so I knew I was going to enjoy this book also.

I loved all of the three women in different ways, but the one I could definitely relate to more was Alison. I could see so much of myself in her, especially in her organisational abilities!! I have a bit of a thing for stationery, lists and plans and can’t think of anything better than to have sticky labels over everything and that everything should be in its right place and perfectly co-ordinated!! So did Alison, and I could totally get how she was feeling when she wanted to behave more spontaneously and do things differently as it sends me into a cold sweat just thinking about it! The relationship between her and her best friends was wonderful and so endearing.

This book messed about with my emotions having me laughing at one point and crying the next. It is a heart-warming story full of friendship, families, love and loss. I did enjoy the story and the friendship and family theme did leave me with a warm glow as I was reading it. The sadder parts around losing Maggie did hit home slightly and reminded me of people that I had lost and how I dealt with it. I do think this author has a definite flair of taking difficult topics and turning them into something a little more light hearted that you can have a connection with. A very enjoyable read and I hope there’ll be another book to carry on the ladies’ story!

An enjoyable easy quick read. I liked the characters and their stories. The idea of trying to find happiness as a New Years Resolution was a lovely idea. This is definitely an enjoyable way to spend a few hours.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

I am a self-confessed Happiness Nerd. Ever since I read Gretchen Rubin and started my own Happiness Project back in 2010, I have read everything and anything relating to Happiness. So, this wonderful little story beamed at me from the bookshelf – and I just had to read it. I was not disappointed peeps.
This story leaves you begging for more of it – the friends are believable badass buddies; grounded in reality, honest, self-effacing and yet ardently aspirational. You just can’t help but wish that you had any of the three main characters – Frankie, Kate or Alison – in your corner.
You just know you are going to make a friend when one of the three amigas declares her love of all thing’s ‘stationery’ – I just loved imagining Alison’s organisational kit – I love a notebook and I seem to have amassed the most amazing array of post-it notes known to man. It is just as well I met my gorgeous hubby before he became a stationery salesman all those years ago – or else he would be seriously doubting my motives for marrying him.
The women in the story have a fantastic inclusive attitude – no Mum gets left behind here – and that is one of my own mottos in life too. They remember how it feels to be you on a bad day as well as on a better day – that it is always, always better to be kind than right and nicer ‘to be asked rather than to be left out.’ The women show that we are all capable of being brave and that we are always working in a context – even if that context is invisible to others.
Tears, tantrums, hopes and hugs are all here in abundance in this warm and uplifting book. The story acknowledges that we are all up to doing difficult things – and that is is ‘so much friendlier’ with two – or more. That doing the do, and negotiating the don’ts ,of the day to day, is more bearable and even fun when you ‘get to do it with friends beside you’.
This story reminded me to think outside my own happiness box, and to remember that making others happy is a sure-fire way to make myself happy – and that making myself happy is a good start in making others feel better too.
The story rockets along and will have you laughing and crying – pausing for thought and taking stock of your own life.
I am embarking on my own Happiness Project Experience this year, an online course with Gretchen Rubin. I am enjoying reflecting on my resolutions for each month and highlighting the hopes and dreams I am holding in my heart at this moment in time – this book may just have you reaching for your own notebook and plotting pen – go on! What have you got to lose?
Coffee Cup Conversations and Teapot Talking Points:
If you and I dear reader were sitting down together today, perhaps enjoying a special tea for two up at Heppleton Hall, having both read the book, here are a few of the points we could mull over together.
Do you have a constant negative train of thought judging you in your head?
I could really relate to the guilt and self-doubt that the characters all own up to. Seeing the conversations running inside their heads – it was both reassuring and illuminating. We all can sometimes be our own worst critic – (neuroscience teaches us that the brain actually defaults to this negative stance.) Its good to become aware of this talk, because honestly, we are all simply putting our best foot forward, trying to do our best – and we would never speak to a friend the way we can catch ourselves speaking to ourselves. This lovely story is a reminder – a note to self – to explore self-compassion and to reframe the voice in our head.
When was the last time you actually pampered yourself?
I am a great believer that self-care isn’t selfish. I have actually written a list of things that make me smile – and spent many years catching myself and noticing what gives me that little boost. When I am feeling blue, or overwhelmed I do a few of the things that I know will pick me up. For me that might be de-cluttering, listening to a favourite podcast, going to the gym or enjoying a favourite song or simply speaking to one of my grown-up wonders, and hearing their voice. It’s a really worthwhile project to explore what makes you happy – and to accept that it is ok if its not what makes other people happy – as they say – you do you!
What would it mean for you to ‘come outside your comfort zone’?
I love the empathy in this book – of people really thinking what would make their loved ones happy. Their loved ones in turn challenge them to choose the bigger life and be more themselves. The women are all setting goals that add an ‘atmosphere of growth’ to their lives and there is a lot of talk of comfort zones, and the joy as well as fear of breaking out of them. I think that it is both good to do more of what makes you feel safe and secure and to feel the fear and do it anyway. The important thing is to get real still and quiet and think about what your heart is thinking about, instead of just living in our own headspace all the time. Now is now – and I too am trying to live up to the challenge of following my arrow – even when, maybe even especially when that scares me just a little bit. The thrill of accomplishment – really can spill over into our lives and have an enormous positive effect on our energy levels and the rhythm of our lives. It can make us feel truly in connection with ourselves and the present moment – which is a real happiness boost.

Thank you to Bookouture for letting me take part in this tour. I recently read I Will Survive and really enjoyed it so I was excited to return to these characters.

The story is set a few months after the end of I Will Survive. Alison decides that the three of them, herself, Kate and Frankie, need new years resolutions which she titles their Happiness Project. Kate wants to be more Zen for her third pregnancy, Frankie wants to be, well be a real grown up I guess and Alison wants to exercise more, eat healthily and learn how to live again.

Much like the first book this story is peppered with funny moments, PTA politics and real mum problems. Pippa manages to both tell a realistic and heartwarming story while making you laugh through some of the pain of losing a loved one.

It was a joy to return to these characters. This is a light, easy read that was perfect to curl up with on these cold miserable nights. I look forward to seeing what Pippa will bring us in the future.