Anna has to go and live with the grandfather she's never along with her mum. Algernon had a feisty relationship with his daughter Helene now they're back staying in his house. This is all about the new relationship between Anna and Algernon. Loved it

A charming, light-hearted novel about a teenage girl and a grandfather she has never met, but is now living with after her mother and her boyfriend end their relationship.

I loved this novel. It was so sweet and real. Anna has to adapt to moving as a teenager, leaving her friends and city life, to rural English countryside with her grandfather, who disowned his daughter after she became pregnant. Algernon is an old man, who lost his wife and now has his daughter moving back in. He has not seen her since his wife died, many years ago. He has also never been good with sharing his emotions, but can Anna break through his caustic personality?

Supporting character Jacob adds so much to the story and, in my opinion, once his character started to break through Anna’s tough, reserved demeanor; the story developed even more.

Thank you Netgalley and Aria for this ARC. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and would like to do it as a book club book after its release.

Heartwarming, sad, funny story about a granddaughter finally getting to know her grandfather.
When Helen's boyfriend dumps her, she and her daughter Anna, are forced to return to Helen's father's house. They have been estranged for years and Anna, who is 15, has never met him. Set in his ways and living a very routine, boring life, Algernon's life is turned upside down by Anna. They learn that they are alike in many ways.
Great story about learning to be who you are and that it is never too late to change.

What a delightful story of family, love, living in the past, loneliness, friendship, finding yourself and hope. This book will stay with me for a long time, and one I will certainly be recommending to friends and family. Algernon, Anna, Helena, Jacob and Evie are believable characters that will steal your heart and take you through a rollercoaster of emotions. I loved it! Heartwarming and thought provoking with a strong message to always live your best life, always be yourself and that ‘death is what happens when we stop living’. Beautiful ❤️

Algernon is a cranky 97-year-old man living alone in a countryside in Cornwall. He hasn’t been an ideal father to his daughter, Helene. He is conservative, has strict boundaries and rigid rules in the house.

Until one summer, Helene and her daughter, Anna, are forced to move in with him. Anna has never met her grandfather due to his disapproval when Helene got pregnant before marriage. Speaking of Anna, she’s artistic and vibrant, who enjoys doodling in her notebooks or books during classes. She also likes wearing colorful outfits.

This book was truly pleasurable and feel good to read. Although personally, I didn’t get to experience living near grandparents nor built close relationships with them. What was so magical about this literary gem?

The author brought these characters to life in such a way that they were likeable and had touched my heart. The relationship of Algernon and Anna was incredibly moving. The dual POV helped me to feel more connected to them. They both made me laugh and had to wipe my tear away. Anna’s POV affected me most. Though she was just a 16-year-old kid, I felt relatable to her for displaying a bubbly and colorful personality. Just like how the book described her - The way she dressed on the outside was reflected how she felt on the inside. It felt exactly like myself! It was surreal feeling with a thought that I was Anna herself.

Overall, it was indeed a heartwarming tale of discovering meaningful relationships in between a grandchild and grandparent that have changed their lives forever.

I hadn't initially requested a copy of Every Shate of Happy. The publisher sent me a note and "thought I might like it" based on prior feedback. So I re-read the description and thought "why not?". I'm glad that I did!

There are two primary points of view, the grandfather and granddaughter. The daughter has an unplanned pregnancy 15 years ago and parts ways with her father (the grandfather). Her boyfriend evicts her and her daughter (the granddaughter) and they need to regroup and move in with the grandfather.

Things are a little rough in the beginning and its a tough transition, especially for the granddaughter.

I very enjoyable, feel good read. The granddaughter is especially creative and colorful and the grandfather is also talented.

Thank you to the publisher (Head of Zeus, Aria) for reaching out and encouraging me to read the advance read copy of Every Shade of Happy. I was not familiar with the author Phyllida Shrimpton. Some of the author's inspiration came from cleaning out some of old letters from her parents house and finding out things that were unknown to them (fathers military service prior to marriage).

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read Every Shade of Happy in exchange for an honest review.

I fell for this lovely book hook, line and sinker (that’s a lot by the way :)).

A generational story centered around Algernon (a crotchety but redeemable 97-year-old), Helene (his “wayward” estranged only child) and Anna (her 15-year-old daughter who is only looking to express her free-spirited self) as they begrudgingly find themselves having to take up house together. This is told in alternating Algernon/Anna perspectives and works flawlessly that way.

The three must cautiously weave a way through minefields from their pasts to move toward understanding and healing. And while revisiting their pasts, they must also contend with immediate concerns like new jobs, new schools, new bullies and new old-age issues. And yes, Helene is a very important part of the story, but this is above all Algernon’s and Anna’s story…what they learn from and about the other and what they take away from that knowledge.

This author brought these characters to life in such a way that I felt all the emotions, saw all the missteps, heard every sigh and sob as if I were hovering above them in the room. Just that good. And if I had to pick (please don’t make me!), the scenes of Algernon’s boyhood in the countryside of Cornwall were definitely among my favorites…so hauntingly beautiful and poignant as they were.

So much to unpack here, but ultimately I came away with joy, hope and laughter…and a reminder of that most precious connection, fraught though it sometimes might be, between grandparents and their grandchildren.

Highly recommended.

My sincere thanks to the author, NetGalley and Head of Zeus/Aria for providing the free early arc of Every Shade of Happy for review. The opinions are strictly my own.

4 stars
This is a gem of a book! In 1929 Algernon Edward Maybury leaves behind the freedom of his beloved home in Cornwall to become a “catholic gentleman“ in the “care“ of The Brothers and their brand of God and education. This experience moulds him in multiple ways. In the present day (2019) and now a widower, his phone rings which it never does…. Anna and her mother Helene have the rug pulled from under the nice life living with Harry and have no choice but to move in with her aged father who is, of course, Algernon. Anna and he don’t know each other, indeed, they have never met. This is their story.

This is a bittersweet, intergenerational story. Algernon is well into his 90s and is understandably set in his ways. Anna is struggling with the move to Essex to live with him and both their emotions and feelings about their current situation are done very well. There is a wonderful growing understanding between Algernon and Anna based on loneliness, being an outsider and a bond develops and they make their way unexpectedly into each other’s hearts.

The characterisation is very good, they’re all likable even cantankerous Algernon (!) and I especially like the growing friendship between Anna and Jacob who lives next door. Jacob is a fantastic young man and sensitive to the needs of others. Anna is a wonderfully colourful and unique individual and is very easy to like as is Helene.

In parts it’s funny, in others it’s lovely, at times I’m laughing and crying at the same time! Anna, Jacob and Algernon go on a road trip to Cornwall this is one of the best parts of the book as real learning about each other takes place amongst the cream teas! Jam first obviously!

This is a lovely heartwarming tale, it’s not saccharine, well it couldn’t be with Algernon! I like the inspiration, the premise and the message.This has been a joy and a pleasure to read. Thank you to the author for the wonderful experience.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Head of Zeus/ Aries for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

Absolutely brilliant! Had me crying and laughing and in stitches. All in the right places. Would highly recommend!

Wowzers! What a truly and utterly beautiful book! This had me crying ugly tears and smiling the biggest smile. Read it!

Every Shade of Happy is simply a stunning novel.
Written from a unique perspective that's surprisingly realistic.
Algernon and Anna are such engaging characters that you can't help but want to keep turning each and every page to find out what's going to happen next.
This story made me think of my grandfather more than once.
I cried, I smiled, I thought. And most importantly I loved!
I couldn't have loved this story more than I did.
It was beautifully written.
The characters drew me in instantly.
This book is full of raw emotion, humour and warmth.
Get the tissues ready, this one will make you cry!
A unique and special read that will give you hope.
It will stay with you long after you’ve finished it.

“I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”

Head of Zeus/Aria,
Thank You for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

It’s a long time since I read a book that made me laugh and cry almost simultaneously. This is a beautiful book about relationships, the unfairness of life and (sometimes) beating the odds. I fell in love with the characters as they sprang to life on the page with all their faults, including Gary the cactus. Such an emotional book, but in a good way. I will remember it for a very long time.

Thanks to Head of Zeus and NetGalley for an ARC in return for an honest review.

An emotional read with realistically crafted and likable characters. It's lovely to read the relationship between Anna and her grandfather Algernon. It was a bit slow to get into, but the pace picked up about partway through.

On first reading this novel I didn't think the characters had much to them as far as likability. About half way in i began to get interested. A slow moving story that even reveals the love they have for one another through understanding and a road trip.
Thank you netgalley and the publisher for this arc

This book was sent to me by Netgalley for review…thanks to the publisher for the electronic copy. A book of friendship…caring…loving…poignant story wi5 likable characters…talented author at weaving a great story for readers who like a cannot put down book…enjoy…

Every Shade of Happy
An emotional, uplifting read that will make you laugh and cry, perfect for fans of Mike Gayle
by Phyllida Shrimpton

Oh my gosh, what a beautiful, touching book. I did cry and laugh. This is one magical book that I will think of again. I felt for the whole family. I wanted to just hug them all. I smiled as I cried through the last page. Brilliant writing.

I absolutely love books that feature senior citizens! This one did not disappoint, and I will be remembering the characters for a very long time. The tone is emotionally relevant, and the descriptions are vivid and colorful. The characters of teen Anna And her grandfather Algernon are beautifully drawn and I loved reading how their relationship evolved over time.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I loved it. It is a bittersweet story, poignant, but uplifting at the same time. The events are told from the alternating points of view of the ninety-seven -year -old Algernon and his fifteen -year- old granddaughter Anna. It was heartwarming to see how the curmudgeonly old man and the broken girl get to know and very slowly to love each other.
I liked the supporting characters as well. Jacob, the boy next door is a nice young man who helps Anna get back her confidence, and Anna's mother, Helen finds her place at last and is able to build bridges with her father at last.
This book gives you a warm feeling that remains with you long after you have finished it. I also shed some tears at places.
I can recommend it to everyone. I will look out for the other books by the author.