Not my kind of read.
If I was a young mother with a relationship of some sort or another and if I was concerned about how I looked or what people thought of me...maybe this book is interesting.
Scattershot plot, basically just work on being happy. Writing seems geared towards an adolescent level reader. Like I said before, if I was twenty...maybe this is enjoyable.

I guess I would call this not great Chick Lit. It's a story about three young mothers and their struggles. Poor character development. I'm not really sure what the plot was. I kept waiting for something to happen. So all in all I would say I was very disappointed in this book. The plot and the characters needed a lot more development.

This was the first book by Pippa James that I've read and I'm disappointed that I didn't enjoy the book. I only realized once I was done the book, and went on Goodreads to post my review, that this book was part of a series. I think this had an impact on my opinion of the book. When I first started reading it I found the beginning to be all over the place. There was too much going on and I found that my brain was scattered trying to piece together all the characters. This lead me to not be invested in the characters as much as I could've had I read the previous book. However, throughout the book I found Frankie to be one of the more interesting characters. I feel like she would've had a good back story. I liked how quirky she was and how unafraid of her insecurities she was. The part I enjoyed the most about the book was that all the women felt REAL. They were down to earth, and had to deal with normal feelings, doubts and insecurities. Their lives were far from perfect and is what made the book relateable. I would've liked to see a recap or some sortr of backstory as this made it really hard to read the book as a stand-alone.
Thank you Netgalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to bookouture and NetGalley for providing me with an Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Happiness Project explores the lives of three friends who decide together that at the start of the new year, they will make changes to spark happiness, including securing a new job, improving health and wellness, and facing motherhood with a new outlook.

Generally, I enjoy a lighthearted friendship read and was immediately drawn in by the cover art and premise of this story. Unfortunately, this book missed the mark for me in nearly all aspects: I found each character completely unlikable, I found their commitment to The Happiness Project to be silly and not fleshed out, and the story seemed to pick up where another left off so I didn't understand why these women were friends or why I should care about these months in their lives. I just wasn't rooting for anyone at all.

I am disappointed in this story, and I cannot recommend this as a light winter read. 1-2 star read, sadly.

This book isn’t listed as a series here on Goodreads (at least not while I was reading the ARC). But you notice pretty quickly that the characters have a background story that’s left a bit fuzzy here. The fact that they referenced how they used to consider Alison a bit scary made me question if another book came first.
So, the first book was I Will Survive. I think it would be easier to understand the dynamics of the characters’ relationship if you read that first. I didn’t, so I’m just guessing.

In this story, Alison has just lost her mother-in-law. She makes a few New Years resolutions and her friends Frankie and Kate want to be encouraging so they join in.

Alison wants to be healthier overall, to eat more vegetables as a family and to exercise more.

Kate is pregnant for the third time. She has decided to try to be more relaxed and have a zen pregnancy.

Frankie wants to hold onto a job and she also acknowledges that she needs to find a way to let her son’s father be a part of his life.

They have decided to call their resolutions “ the happiness project”.

All of their goals are jeopardized by outside forces.
Alison’s husband and son are not on board with all the vegetarian food. And her husband seems to think her goal is a bit predictable and boring. He feels that if she wants to honor his mother’s memory, she should try something new.
Kate’s zen pregnancy is complicated by a friend who is pregnant for the first time and wants to do everything perfectly.
Frankie’s goal is complicated by the fact that her coworker is a leach.

I liked some characters more than others. Kate’s pregnant friend was beyond irritating and Alison’s husband got on my nerves. He seemed condescending and unaware of his wife’s efforts of dealing with their loss.

I wouldn’t call this a funny story per se. But it is a story showing a unique friendship and the best ways that change us. As different as these women are, they all respect the things that make them different from each other.

I got to read an early ebook edition from NetGalley. Thanks!

Thank you NetGalley and the author for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

First, I did not realize that this was a sequel but I still was able to follow along just fine, although I feel like I missed some key characteristics of the characters.
Friends with families make new years resolutions (sounds like me and my friends!) There are three friends and each of them comes with their own unique situation. Its a quick read and I think the best way to refer to it is breezy. This was not a heavy story but rather a breath of fresh air for me!

* I received an ARC of this book in return for a fair and honest review.
This is the story of three mums from school who become friends and decide to encourage one anther to spend the year working on a goal that they believe will make them happier. This was a fun and lighthearted novel that was a quick, fun read.

The Happiness Project was an easy read about three friends who set New Year's Resolutions. While trying to achieve their new goals, the women run into roadblocks they must work through before coming to the other side of growth and achievement.

The novel was an easy, light read with many relatable parts and a theme of the importance of women friendships.

Three friends meet to celebrate New Year’s Eve and plot the changes they want for the coming year. Alison wants to exercise more. Kate wants to find more zen during her third pregnancy. Frankie just wants to hold down a job longer than two weeks. As they try to live outside their comfort zones, each must wade through parenting problems, ex-friends, and relationship issues— all to complete their happiness project.

Each of these women are vastly different characters. Alison is organized, rigid in her ways, and the type of mom always ready with a healthy homemade snack. Kate maintains a quieter style, shy, and somewhat trapped under the stress in her life. Frankie might come across a bit gruff and somewhat flighty, but she’s still lovable. Author Pippa James marvelously plays with these differences. There’s something so realistic about their relationship— they’re the odd group of friends that almost seem thrust together, but still devoted to one another.

As well, James forces these three into situations that lets readers see both the best and worst of each at different times. So while readers might cheer Frankie at one point for landing her first job, they might be disappointed in how Kate handles confrontation in the next scene. With such a distinctive ensemble, readers will probably develop a favorite main character, or at least someone whose actions they can most justify. However, James allows each of the three their moment to shine while also showcasing where they need to grow. Her pacing is incredibly effective.

James also has so much to say about motherhood, and it’s refreshing to watch three women speak so candidly about their insecurities in that role. These moments feel the most real. One minute, Kate is handing over her phone for her daughter to play on. The next, she’s questioning everything about her parenting decisions. The amount of external pressure on each of these women to be the ‘perfect mother’ is both unfortunate and all too common.

And, of course, in a novel about New Year’s Resolutions (though packaged much nicer as a ‘happiness project’), there is plenty of focus on personal growth. This is another time when James’s careful consideration of these friendships helps push this novel into the next level. Alison, Kate, and Frankie are each supportive of the other, but it isn’t an all out love-fest. Frankie might offer Kate advice on dealing with a difficult friend, and Alison might redo Kate’s CV to land her a job, but they also fight, question, and make up. For each, moments of genuine reflection and growth happen not simply because of their friendship but, often, in spite of it. It feels both natural to life and unique to the genre.

All of this is not to suggest this book is entirely serious. It does have its light moment. A parade of animal costumes, impossible flip flops, and an obstacle course like no other each make hilarious appearances. There’s always something to cut the tension.

Pippa James has written a stellar novel of friendship, motherhood, and happiness.

The premise of this book appealed to me. I figured it was a cute, British chick lit book that would be a quick, fun weekend read. And it was a quick read, but I was a little disappointed that this was apparently a sequel. I was too far in to the story to quit and read the first book, so I continued on. Although this could be read as a stand-alone, I definitely think knowing the backstories of the main characters would have enhanced the story.

I found Frankie the most interesting of the three women in the book, but, I still felt that the characters were underdeveloped, and the idea of a "happiness project" was not fully explored.

Overall, it was a perfectly okay read. Not entirely what I wanted, but that may be because I haven't read the first book and was not totally invested in the characters.





Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher for an e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts and review

One over-controlling wife & mother, one single mum who seems to have very little control over anything, including herself, and one pregnant wife & mother who is just trying to hold it all together. There seems to be more angst, insecurities and problems in this Happiness Project, until you realize that happiness comes from the small victories and successes found in everyday life.

I didn't find this story uplifting, considering its title. I wish I had know it was part of a series. I don't think it works as a standalone title. I felt the characters lacked depth, but perhaps that would have been different if I'd read the previous book. I'm presuming there is going to be a follow up, as I don't think this one had a proper ending.

Good points - I really liked Frankie (funny) and Kate (sweet). Ben was great, as were all the kids. The hotel story was interesting. This book was an okay read, but not a memorable one.

Alison was annoying - boring even. And her husband was annoying too, although he came through at the end. Kate's husband also was annoying. In fact I found her situation a little depressing.

Thanks for the opportunity to read this book.

This book follows the story of three friends who decide to create a happiness project to challenge themselves to make changes to their lives in the new year. Alison's beloved Mother-In-Law has died, and they vow to do things differently to find happiness, helping each other along the way.
The Characters in this book are all very different to one another, and have completely different lifestyles. They all have the same fear that they are not good enough at being a parent. This book shows that despite appearances, people can be insecure, it shows how real friends support and help each other other. The story moves seamlessly between characters, and it is easy to follow the story. All three friends have flaws, and struggle to feel accepted. The characters are likeable and relatable, with realistic problems.
This book was well written and heartwarming. It was funny in places, and also moving and inspiring. I did not know that this book was a sequel until I finished it, but it did not detract from my understanding and enjoyment of the story in any way. It can definitely be read as a standalone book, although I am looking forward to reading the first book as soon as possible. I absolutely recommended this book.

3.5 stars.

I joined netgalley in 2009, and then proceeded to do nothing for ten years. Last Monday, I finally decided to dig up my login information and see if I can start using it. [book:The Happiness Project|42891219] was the first book that accepted me so I decided it had to be the first one I read.

And I am glad I did.

Apparently this is not the first book, so the author jumps right into the story without giving too much of a background on each of the characters. This didn't bother me at all, though I will say by the end of the story I still couldn't really tell you much about the physical characteristics of any character except that one of them is pretty petite. This, too, wasn't a huge problem for me. I did feel like I got to know each of the characters as a "person" and they felt uniquely different from each other, and reasonably three-dimensional to me. They were flawed, interesting, thoughtful characters.

The book was a fun and quick read. When I was reading it, I liked getting lost in their stories and when I wasn't reading it, I found myself looking forward to reading more. While there were some learning moments for each character, this wasn't a story of major growth.

When they first make the "Happiness Project" I thought it would end up being that they would each learn something about what happiness meant for them and how their project/goal would shift with the learning etc. but it wasn't a book like that. It was light, fun and one of those books that come together beautifully at the end, leaving you smiling and happy.

If you're looking for a deep, literary book that will make you learn about new cultures, or appreciate complex characters, I wouldn't recommend you pick this one. But if you want to have fun, enjoy a good story with characters that are real and experience real-life situations, especially around marriage and motherhood, I think this is a fantastic pick.

I gave it a 3.5 stars because while I would have liked a bit more depth, I really enjoyed the story and had fun the whole time I read it.

Having not read I Will Survive, which introduces the three main characters in this story the three women Alison, Kate and Frankie jump right into this story on New Year’s Eve, just after Alison lost her mother-in-law. With Kate, now newly pregnant and Frankie, newly unemployed, these three catch up with one another at the school gates, and in the in-between times when time, babysitters and life allows. And these three are rather solidly defined in their personalities: Alison is organized within an inch of her (and everyone’s) life with a plan for everything and a place for every plan. Frankie is the single mum who has taken the ‘failure’ label to the next level in terms of her confidence – but is bold, self-determined and unwilling to let anyone or anything take advantage of those she cares about. Lastly there is Kate – with her two children and one on the way she’s more the caretaker, the people pleaser and nurturing one who manages to keep her finger in every pie, even if she’s exhausted.

The three have decided to make resolutions for the new year – resolutions that will be both a challenge and a step away from their ‘comfort zone’. With Alison organizing Frankie’s CV, Frankie’s found a new job that has potential for upward mobility, with solid ideas, if an allergy to organizing and ‘trying to adult” don’t get in her way. Kate’s reconnected with a former girlfriend of her husband’s best friend – and finding her “I know everything about Earth Mother living even though I’ve never had a child proclamations to be judgy – and fueling her own ‘bad mum’ guilt. And we have Alison who’s trying on different things to see if they ‘fit’ in an effort to stretch her own personal experiences. Strangest of all, these three are building a friendship that is truly based in little more than being the “outsiders’ in the PTA mums – and proximity seems to make all the difference.

There are no huge ‘aha’ moments for any of them – and quite frankly - everyone is so busy hiding their worries and ‘bad mum’ moments that the time to really share the deeply personal stuff between them is missing, and that left this story feeling more like a year in the life, with Frankie actually making the biggest tangible strides, while both Katie and Alison found little victories and moments. What James does really well is show the ups and downs of relationships, adulting, friendships and self-belief in ways that feel plausible, if a bit frantic at times. A solid book that would have done better by establishing the connections between the three, or making it very clear that this was the second featuring these characters.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Review first appeared at <a href=” https://wp.me/p3OmRo-ahg /” > <a> I am, Indeed </a>

A truly fabulous feel good read following three familiar (to me) characters as they navigate the every day, snarky yummy mummies attempting to thwart their plans along the way. It's a brilliant story of friendship and the characters are so likeable. I really enjoyed catching up with them all and seeing how their lives had changed since the last book.

Three mom friends all in different stages and phases in their lives decide to kick off a new year with their own resolutions and call it "The Happiness Project". The story follows each woman, month to month, as they try to reach their goals and find that inner happiness they all desire. I found it easy to relate to each one of them on some form, being a mom myself. But they were all very different and unique in their roles as a mom and trying to fit in. Allison was the uptight PTO mom, Frankie was the hot-mess single mom and Kate fell in between plus finding out she was pregnant with her 3rd child.
It was a light, easy-to-read book, that kept my interest throughout though I felt it ended without coming full circle such as the birth of Kate's baby and Frankie' s son having issues in school. But it's a fun read if you are looking for something easy!
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for an ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

.

I received this book via Netgalley and have it honest feedback.
A story of unlikely friendship between 3 women at different stages of their lives, involving New Years resolutions, full of fun, laughter and a heartwarming storyline right to the end. I recommend this uplifting read.

Eh. I really wanted to like this book but it was just ok for me. I never felt any real connection to the characters nor did I feel like they were well developed. I think the premise of this story is a good one but it just never came together for me as a reader. Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture for this ARC.

The Happiness Project was a unique story of three moms struggling to accomplish their New Years Resolutions. Even though I don't have kids, I found their feelings, insecurities, and emotions relatable. I particularly liked how each one had unique qualities that the others admired them for but they themselves viewed as faults. So often we fail to see our own attributes and just see failure. The growing friendship between them and their relationships with their husbands were wonderfully written. Ultimately, this is a feel good story about women being their best and finding strength and peace within themselves.