The Secret to Happiness by Suzanne Woods Fisher is a lovely story about finding yourself when you think all hope is gone. Set in Cape Cod at the Main Street Creamer, we are back with Marnie and Dawn. Dawn is planning her wedding and the two are working to keep the creamery opened during the cold months. Callie is Dawn’s cousin, and she has lost her job and is possibly facing a lawsuit. She basically invites herself to the cape so she can try and think. What ensues is a story of hope and family and truth. I loved it. But there wasn’t a question about it. Fisher is one of my favorite authors and I am grateful for the chance to review her book. #NetGalley

I was not previously familiar with the Cape Cod Creamery series, so I was thrilled to discover that this one stands alone perfectly well. You really don't need to have read any of the others to follow right along.

The theme, of course, is the pursuit of happiness. Callie is (to put it mildly) in a slump. She retreats to Cape Cod to essentially crash with her aunt and cousin. I liked seeing the different women's perspectives as opposed to just having Callie's. Through self-help classes and her personal interactions with Bruno, Callie finds her way again.

Lots of yummy ice cream treats are mentioned, and the setting is charming.

The ending is both clever and cute.

This is a heartwarming and entertaining read.

Received complimentary copy; all opinions are my own.

Happiness wanted? Happiness needed? After losing her job, Callie is depressed and heads to her visit her Aunt Marnie and cousin, Dawn, in Cape Cod. Trying to deal with this depression, her cousin, Dawn, talks her into attending a workshop in town dealing with the secret to happiness. At this point in her life, Callie could care less, but ends up relenting and attending. The leader, Professor Bruno, and his teachings really challenge her thoughts.

There are many other delightful characters in this book that leave you with a sense of joy for all the characters. A book of hurt, depression, moving on to joy and finding a new focus to life teaches each of us those little things that lead to the Secret of Happiness.

I did not want to put this book down until I had read it all and highly recommend it to readers who enjoy these types of books. I received an advance copy of this book from Revell and Netgalley. The opinions expressed are my own.

When I was anticipating this book it was because of the author - & also because it was the next in a series I had already begun. I never thought much about the title, & yet it turned out to be the theme of the whole book.
I love this writer’s style : straight into it, without wasting time on extraneous words, yet all necessary information is somehow imparted.
I am learning so much from this book : it is definitely a keeper, one to be read again & again (& I never have the time to re-read books, so do not say this lightly!)
I think this may be Suzanne Woods Fisher’s best book yet - & all of her books have been exceptionally good, so that is really saying something! Yes – as always – there is a wonderfully good story, but at the same time there is great wisdom, gently shared. We are being taught valuable life-lessons, without it ever seeming ‘heavy’. I surely wish I had been able to read this book years ago, there are so many gems - & somehow, all relevant to me... (how did she know?)
Bless you, Suzanne - & always follow your very special ‘calling’!

I read this and didn't even realize it was #2 in a series. It can totally be read as a standalone, like I did. What a great story featuring 3 ladies and their struggles and lives. It was an enjoyable read, as Callie moves in with her cousin and aunt after losing her job. The 3 of them work together to get her over the slump and the feel good ending of the story makes it great.

My thoughts: Secret to Happiness is a well-named book and sooooo engaging! I literally did not want to put this book down and I read the whole book in one day. So good. I loved Callie and enjoyed getting reconnected with the previous characters from the first book in the series. If you love women's fiction with a touch of romance, you will love this book. Pick up your copy today. I was given a copy free and all opinions are my own.

This is the 2nd book in a fun new Cape Cod Creamery series by Suzanne Woods Fisher - however, it could easily be a stand lone read.

After a horrible disaster causes her her job, Callie ends up at an ice cream university helping out a friend and runs into her aunt who's attending the class. She follows her aunt back to Cap Code and falls apart - her life is uncertain as is her health. Her cousin, Dawn, thinks she needs motivation and urges her to attend happiness classes. And she clicks with the professor. And I love Cowboy Leo! Fun characters and an interesting story.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a temporary, digital ARC in return for my review.

Suzanne Woods Fisher's second installment to her Cape Cod Creamery series, The Secret to Happiness, was a great addition to the series. I loved it and am giving it five stars.

The Secret to Happiness one of the books in the Cape Cod Creamery series by Suzanne Woods Fisher was an interesting book because the title was woven into the book’s narrative. How do we find happiness in our lives? Bruno Bianco is a professor at a local college and is teaching a class on the secret to happiness.

Callie Dixon has wanted to be a chef all her life. She had a dream job as an executive chef at one of the largest convention hotels in Boston until she made a costly mistake that ended in everyone at the convention getting food poisoning. She was fired and has become despondent because she cannot find another job. She runs away to her aunt’s home on Cape Cod. Her aunt and her cousin, Dawn, own an ice cream shop and live over the store. Dawn knows that Callie is depressed and cannot find her way back to her happy self and a return to the life she wants to live and so gently persuades her to attend Professor Bianco’s self-help classes on Saturday morning.

Callie and Bruno find meet accidentally at the beach at sunrise one morning and continue to meet as Bruno gently guides Callie to determine her way back to being happy. As things progress, Callie finds out what her goal for happiness is. There is a slight twist to the ending which brings the whole story together.

Visiting Cape Cod in the winter, I am not sure too many people would. But as a reader it was nice to come back to the Cape Cod Creamery and meet up again with the beloved characters of Dawn and her mom Marnie and the guys, Kevin and Lincoln and even six year old Leo. However, this story adds another voice, that is Dawn's cousin Callie.

Ever exuberant Callie has been hit with too many crippling life circumstances at once. Happening to run into her Aunt Marnie at an ice cream school, she asks if she can stay with her and Dawn. After exhausting all other possibilities, Marnie agrees. Marnie is a sweet and caring woman, but the past competitiveness of Dawn and Callie and their fathers was a bit too much to handle at times.

Well, time marches on and times have changed and Callie needs healing. She is dealing with much more than what has made the news. I found this novel eye opening in the way that we don't really know what someone is going through. The best that we can do is be there for them, pray, and hope with them.

And the secret to happiness? That was a very simple recipe, per say, for all of us to take to heart and enact in our lives. What is it? Well, read this book, no spoiler here.

I was provided with a copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

It was no small thing. By age twenty-eight Callie Dixon was an executive chef for a well-known hotel, but one mistake cost her that job. Her mistake gave two hundred people food poisoning. Finding another position as a chef was not going to be easy. Sadly, this was not her only problem. A chance encounter reunited her with her aunt and cousin, Dawn, who lived in Cape Cod. Having nowhere else to go, she asked if she could stay with them. Her aunt was welcoming, but her cousin not so much. The person who Callie used to be was not the Callie she was now. Something was obviously very wrong with her.

This beautifully told story gives readers a front row seat into the characters' lives. The longer Callie stayed, she and Dawn began to realize they each saw their relationship differently-both in the past and now. When Callie agreed to take a course about finding happiness, the insightful instructor and his book became thought provoking. Even with all that had gone wrong and with her other fears, was it possible to find happiness and contentment?

This story is packed with deep emotions, heart and wisdom. The characters are a delightful group, and the setting is vividly brought to life. Everything about this book comes together perfectly to give readers a wonderful reading experience. Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

The Secret to Happiness continued where The Sweet Life left off: Characters settling in, making a success of new beginnings, building on old and new relationships, and reaching out to family members in need.

This story was evident of two sides to the same story. Callie’s view of her and Dawn’s relationship was quite different to how Dawn experienced it.

Callie came to Cape Cod, trying to overcome severe depression based on fears. I loved little Cowboy Leo broke through Callie’s walls and was vital to her breakthrough.

This story focuses on life and its struggles and how to take each day and how to focus on the one thing which makes you happy and work from there, is one each reader can take to heart.

I am glad to see there will be a third book, because I am not yet ready to finish my visit to Cape Cod. I still want to see how certain relationships might develop!

THE SECRET TO HAPPINESS is not the first book I’ve read by Suzanne Woods Fisher and it won’t be the last. She has a way of grabbing her readers and she never lets us go and now I’m kicking myself for not making time to read all of her books! THE SECRET TO HAPPINESS is the second book In the Cape Cod Creamery series. If you are a believer in “everything happens for a reason” you are going to love this book! Such a fun story and look at this beautiful cover!

Besides the condition of the creamery, the women in this story are going through their own problems. THE SECRET TO HAPPINESS introduces the reader to the gorgeous oceanside town of Chatham Massachusetts. I personally have been there and it is breath taking. I’ve been to the magnificent hotel in this story, The Chatham Bars Inn, for tea and it is amazing! Anyway, Callie Dixon is living her dream by being an executive chef, that is until she serves spoiled food to a group of two hundred people. She is immediately fired. With nowhere else to go she moves in with her aunt and cousin to their ice cream store in Cape Cod. On a side note, be prepared to crave ice cream the entire time you are reading this beautiful story and for Leo the cowboy to steal your heart!

THE SECRET TO HAPPINESS is filled with forgiveness, family, and love and had me staying up way too late one night to finish! I had to know where Suzanne Woods Fisher was taking us and what would happen to these wonderful characters. Dawn drags her cousin to a class that teaches the secret to happiness and that is where Callie meets Bruno Bianco, the teacher. There is so much heart in Suzanne’s writing that I was left with a huge smile on my face and my heart very happy. All of the characters are very interesting and believable, so much so that I felt as if I’ve known them for a long time. Now I need to figure out how to fit more of Suzanne’s books into my reading plans! I can totally see THE SECRET TO HAPPINESS becoming a Hallmark movie that I would surely watch. I loved watching these women grow and come into their own. The secondary characters are just as important as Bruno and Callie and you will come to love them all.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell Books. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Callie was dedicated to make her dream come true. She made personal sacrifices to be a success. But it all came to an end. What will she do now? Who was she?

I worked 28 years as a professional. I saw co-workers and supervisors who sacrificed their personal lives due to their occupation. They didn't use their vacation time and even lost their accrued time due to not taking it. I saw marriages fail. And even drug addictions. I also saw how quickly they replaced a worker with another after an unexpected death. What did they give up to achieve success in the workplace? Where they happy?

Callie needed an escape. She was finding it difficult to cope. How lucky for her that she ran into her favorite aunt at a ice cream making course.


Callie was at a crossroad. Fortunately for her, she had family to support and care for her wellbeing. Her cousin referred her to a Saturday morning group called The Secret of Happiness.

Is there a secret? Can we achieve happiness in just a few steps?

This is Book 2 of the Cape Cod Creamers Series. I have read both and loved them. An enjoyable story with believable characters.

I received this book to review from Revell.

A wonderful 2nd book in the Cape Cod Creamery series follow cousin Callie who just lost her dream job and might be suffering MS like her mother. Even though the cover looks like a Rom Com it deals with depression, anxiety, and a serious illness. I found the 2 main protagonists wonderfully written and Callie self discovering eye opening. The wisdom in this book made me want to implement these ideas myself!!
My negative, you aren’t sure if the 2 main protagonists did get together in the end, but I think in this book that wasn’t the point. Healing during adversity was. So really it’s not a bad negative, but I would have loved to have known. And can I say the boy was adorable!! Looking forward to book 3 in the series!!!!! I would highly recommend this book to all!!

Enjoy another fun story set at Cape Cod and the new ice cream shop. Not everything is sweet and cozy, though. The shop owner’s chef niece, Callie Dixon, needs a place to land for a while, but her presence may interrupt the lives of Marnie Dixon and her daughter, Dawn, and their plans for the future. It’s a tale of overcoming trials and relationship issues. The engaging characters add charm to a story that feels real. I recommend reading this tasty series in order. I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own. #TheSecrettoHappiness #NetGalley

The Secret to Happiness, by Suzanne Woods Fisher, opens with Callie Dixon transitioning from a six-figure job to something that is minimum wage. Regrettably, she was responsible for causing over two hundred people to experience food poisoning. After losing her position as head chef, Callie must work her way up again. Surprisingly, she runs into her aunt while working at her part-time job. Before she knows it, Callie is heading to her family’s ice cream shop in Cape Cod!

Callie’s cousin Dawn is the primary owner of the ice cream shop. Judging by their history of competing with each other, there are bound to be new conflicts as Callie and Dawn become reacquainted. Soon it becomes apparent that something is not quite right with Callie. Soon her family learns about the food poisoning; however, they have no idea that Callie to keeping a much bigger secret under wraps!

Dawn and her mother try to discover what could have happened to bring a dark cloud to Callie’s outgoing look on life. In an effort to help Callie work through her depression, Dawn suggests a class entitled The Secret to Happiness. You will be surprised how this class totally changes Callie’s life!

I decided to DNF this book around the 30% mark. I was not in the place to read a book about a character that has depression and, for my well being, needed to step away at this time. I have read many of the glowing reviews, and I am so glad that so many people have read, loved, and connected with this book.

What a fun follow-up book!

Readers are treated to a glimpse of life following the ending of book one. Marnie and Dawn are experiencing their first winter months together in Cape Cod, trying to keep the Creamery afloat. It’s lovely to catch up with them and to see how the rest of their stories play out.

Callie is Marnie’s niece, an over achiever (like her cousin Dawn), but in desperate need of help. When she invites herself to stay with Marnie, a series of intense events follow. This is Callie’s story – her search for happiness and knowing who she is. It’s a story about second chances, family, and finding a forever love with the person who brings out the best in you.

There’s nothing not to love in this story. We get to revisit secondary characters from book one, meet new ones, spend time on the beach, and learn what makes people happy – one chapter at a time.

This is a great, feel-good read that’s perfect to take camping or to the beach.

I’m looking forward to book three, and catching up with Marnie, Dawn, and Callie in their next adventure.

I highly recommend reading book one, The Sweet Life, before reading this one.

I received an ecopy from the publisher through Net Galley. All opinions expressed are my own.

Love the baking theme, the cape cod setting, and the cousin relationship. All 3 began as works in progress, developed beautifully chapter by chapter. Really enjoyed the aunt cast as the wise role model.