This was a sweet, positive book about female friendships, busy lives and the importance of the people around you. It was a little bit on the fluffy side for my tastes but would be perfect for fans of Sophie Kinsella, Jojo Moyes, etc.

I wanted to love this - but when I was over 50% through the book and only in the month of April with nothing really happening yet, I had to put it down. Frankie was the most immature annoying character on earth, and Kate should be the star of her own novel. I felt that the premise was such a wonderful idea but that the execution fell way short of the goal.

This was a very enjoyable read about relationships & particularly friendship. I warmed to all of the main characters; feisty Frankie who won't be put upon. Pregnant Kate, so worried about whether she has s a good mother and Alison, rhe group's organiser who lacks self confidence.
The story was enertaining and, ultimately, showed that friends come in many different guises.

I really wavered between 3 or 4 start for The Happiness Project. Because I don't do half stars, I opted for 4 stars for this read.

Alison, Frankie and Kate are mom friends, and the best part is that they're all different. Alison is super Type A and on PTO. Kate is pregnant with her third child (surprise!) and is the more laid back of the three. Frankie is a single mom who can't seem to get her life together.

They decide to make New Year's resolutions and call them The Happiness Project. 

The story follows the three women as they go through the year living their lives while also trying to reach their goals. As the reader, we go through until about April, and then it seems like we stop somewhere around there. It would have been neat to reach the end of the year, especially because we never find out more about Kate's baby.

While reading this book, Frankie started off as my least favorite character. I think that's because I'm much more like Alison (I mean, I've shown up with homemade rolls to places before), and Frankie's "all over the place" behavior was exhausting for me.

That said, the story of moms dealing with parenting, marriage and mom guilt was relatable for me and I fell into this story easily. Though there were a few secondary characters I'd have liked to have punched. And honestly, they are very true to moms we deal with out in the real world. I don't go around punching people, just in case anyone worried. But these secondary characters were obviously very dislikable. 

Overall, The Happiness Project is a fun read that kept me entertained and wanting more. I just wish that a few loose ends had been tied up better for me.

This was a fun, light read. Perfect to read on New Year's Day. Frankie, Allison and Kate felt like old friends, having read I Will Survive a few months back.

I love the characters. Real, flawed characters, and loved the feel good ending. Looking forward to the next installment of their lives.

Thank you netgalley and the publishers,for the review copy of this book.

An enjoyable read. This story follows the journey of three mothers from new year and making their resolutions to change and improve their lives. I really enjoyed the stories of what happened to each character and especially reading it over new year gave it added depth!
I am going to look up the first book in the series as I feel this would be beneficial.

Have you ever noticed that women need each other, but especially mothers need someone on their team? Have you noticed that sometimes other moms can be just horrible in their judgement and criticism? Have you ever felt convinced you were messing up your kids irreparably? Wondered if you're slowly poisoning them because they won't eat a darn vegetable despite your best efforts? Wanted to crash on your best friend's couch in yoga pants with tears because it seems like you do everything at home, and at work, and at school? If you can relate to any of those questions... you'll relate to my latest read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and/or author through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

My first read of 2019 and a new-to-me author: Pippa James. The Happiness Project was a charming glimpse into the life of three mothers as they make a list of New Years Resolutions together. Being a mother myself, I found I could relate to all of the women at times. I could sympathize with their worries of failure, the desire to not be judged less-than, and the questioning of their parenting choices. Each woman's personality was well-developed - and with that, of course, was the fact that you may love them at times and detest them at times, and some days they were just off - much like real life.

The storyline meandered nicely. It wasn't too slow, it wasn't too fast - just a nice walk through their lives, culminating happily (which I will admit made me want to go join a fun run.) A great fictional reminder - at times humorous, often heartfelt - that as women and mothers we need to find our tribes and back them up. It was a pleasant read, but may have been more gripping if I had read Pippa's "I Will Survive" first. However, it definitely can be read as a stand-alone novel - easy enough to figure out.

Caution for those who do not approve of swearing in their novels as one of the characters had a rougher vocabulary than the others. I did not find this detracting as it seamlessly fit with her cheekiness as a whole. A timely plot considering the new year that'll make you want to grab your best mummy friends and share the love.

Published by Bookouture; Publication Date February 12, 2019

Original review on my blog:
https://life-love-laughter-linds.blogspot.com/2019/01/book-review-happiness-project-by-pippa.html

In my opinion you will either love or hate this book. I loved it.
This book reminded me of life. The characters in the book were easy to relate. There were those you liked and those you didn’t warm to.

The authors writing style is one that I like. It’s not necessarily a happy book but one that evokes all sorts of emotions in you.

This is a quintessential feel-good book which makes for very light reading. It tells the story of three friends as they deal with real-life problems. It is entertaining and well-written. The characters are vivid and memorable. I quite enjoyed reading it. It was a no-muss, no-fuss read !

A nice story of friendship, motherhood and family. I didn'realize it was a second story of these three characters and it read fine as a stand alone. A nice story to end the year on!

This was a story about 3 friends and their resolutions to be more happy. Although it was a little lighter than what I normally read, I enjoyed the story. There were quite a few scenes where I could imagine myself or my friends in similar circumstances or having similar reactions.

It is difficult for me to review this book because I don't feel like I took it in. I didn't identify with it, the situations, or the characters. Three friends want to get their lives on track. Each one has had a difficult time: whether it be losing someone they were close to, the ups and downs of pregnancy and relationships, work...and they all make resolutions to do better in the next year.

I think what kept me from connecting with the characters was how they fell into a neat little category. I never sensed knowing much about them. They were the organized one, the quiet one, the impulsive one. That's not really all any of us are, though. I never got the idea of real people who opened up to each other and showed more of themselves.

This was a book of people making and working toward goals. There was the relationships between the women. It almost seemed dated in its definition of women's roles and relationships.

Some people may like it. It was not for me. I felt like I was missing something the entire time I read it.

The Happiness Project tells the story of three moms, each at different stages of their lives. On New Year's Eve, they make a pact to stick to their New Year's resolutions in pursuit of happier lifestyles, and support and encourage each other along the way. While the story itself was a cute, easy read, there were times when I found myself wanting a bit more from.the story. Each character had their own personality: Allison was the organized one, Frankie was the impulsive one, and Kate was the shy one. Yet, at times, they fell a bit flat: who really reaches out to a friend who asks you to leave their wedding because they don't approve of.your parenting style? And what did Frankie do to get Liam back on track after he was clearly struggling? What ever came of Jez and Millie? A bit more character development and less loose ends, and this book could have it all!

I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The Happiness Project is about a pact between three friends on New Years. All three have very different parenting styles and have a few issues in their lives they want sorted.
It took a little while to get into but it was good to see that there weren't any dramatic twists like partners cheating etc. especially with young children present.
Probably recommended for women with children so they can relate to the difficulties that arise from trying to juggle everything, from career, children, school, play-dates, exes, family and friends.

Three friends, all mums, make new year's resolutions: Alison the hyper-organised perfect wife and mother wants to get fit; Kate the pregnant mother of two is feeling a bit overwhelmed and just wants to be a bit more zen; and Frankie, the single mother, just wants to be able to hold down a job and 'adult'. These three unlikely friends have to combat their own high expectations (Alison), boyfriend's ex-wives (Frankie) and newly pregnant friends who judge their parenting skills (Kate).

I liked this, three unlikely friends each with their own problems, each with their own resolution as they meet their resolutions in unusual ways. It's a reminder that what we look like on the outside isn't always how we feel on the inside, the carefree fun single mum who breezes through parenting may feel like a complete failure on the inside when compared to the mum who prepares homemade packed lunches, labels her childs clothes properly and is a member of the PTA.

Recommended for fans of Katie Fforde.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

New Years resolutions a yearly ritual a group of best friends young moms make their resolutions ,things they will do changes they will make .This is a warm real wonderful read I enjoyed getting to know this group of friends.Really enjoyed watching their adventures the book warm times &truly funny moments bBritish humor At it’s best.A delicious read.#netgalley #bookoture

I tried to like this book, I really did. I was confused from the opening pages, I thought I had missed the first chapter. Turns out I just landing in the middle of a story of three women who I didn't know, and still don't even after reading the book.

Wow. I really don't know what to say about this one.

As I read the first few pages I was confused - had I missed a few chapters? It seemed as though I started reading right in the middle of the story. Now, after finishing the book, I still could not give you a physical description of any of the main characters, and that doesn't include their backstory/development either. Characters came and went as if we were to know them already - and maybe we were. I checked to see if this is book two of a series because that's exactly how I felt when I started reading it... as if I was reading the second book in a series and missed important details from book one. The ending also was very quick and short, as if there will be a book three that will tie everything together.

A story of 3 young mums setting out their new year's resolutions aka the happiness project. I enjoyed reading how they got on with making changes to their lives and the troubles they encounter along the way. It shows the reality of being a mum, all the insecurities and worries and trying to be the best you can be. Believeable characters and scenarios. I look forward to reading the previous story about these women.

THE HAPPINESS PROJECT BY PIPPA JAMES
An uplifting tale about friendship, family, and kicking-ass at womanhood even in the midst of insecurities, judgement and everything that life can throw at a mum or mum-to-be in the 21st Century. 

The novel is hilarious in some parts, funny in most, and even in the more sombre moments, there are still threads of humour. The comical situations the women find themselves in feel authentic and relatable (especially to any woman who has ever braved a PTA meeting!) 

The characters are warm and enticing and the female protagonists all have a certain strength about them which are shown in different ways. Alison is my favourite character in the novel and it was a privilege to go on a journey with her. 

As a former midwife, I particularly enjoyed the antenatal and hospital scenes. I won't give away any spoilers, but I have to give points here for accuracy (and for making me chuckle too.)
I did find parts of the novel a little dialogue-heavy and would have liked to have been given a little more in terms of setting. However, most of the dialogue was engaging and fresh.

Above all, it was the concept that appealed to me the most - the idea that people can work to create their own happiness and self-improvement but that it's best done with the help of each other and that it starts with some self-acceptance; something that many women struggle with in the face of today's pressures. Well done to the author for achieving a successful delivery of such a positive message!