The pacing was off for me in this one. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for a review.

I related to Isadora so much. I get the fear and unsurity of stepping out of your comfort zone. I loved seeing such a relatable character in a book. I loved that this was self help book in disguise. I don't gravitate towards that so this helped.

*The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley* by Courtney Walsh is a sweet, feel-good story about finding happiness and embracing the life you’ve always wanted. The book follows Isadora, a woman who appears to have it all but struggles with the deeper questions of fulfillment and self-worth. Walsh’s writing is warm, and the story has plenty of heart, with themes of personal growth, love, and rediscovery.

The characters are relatable, and Isadora’s journey of self-reflection and change is both encouraging and inspiring. The pacing is steady, and the plot has just enough twists to keep things interesting. However, I did feel that some parts of the story were a bit predictable, and while the romance was sweet, it didn’t have the emotional depth I was hoping for.

Overall, *The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley* is a charming and light read perfect for fans of feel-good stories. While it didn’t fully resonate with me or leave a lasting impact, it’s an enjoyable book for those looking for a cozy, uplifting escape.

Oh Isadora. 🥹 What a precious, infuriating character! A gifted researcher, she lives a solitary life and she thinks she likes it that way. Some trauma in her past has made her feel that she’s better off alone. On her thirtieth birthday, she comes across an article with 31 ways to be happy. Being Isadora, she decides to conduct an experiment to prove the article wrong. Enter the most dear and darling cast of characters ever..
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Her colleague Cal. (SWOON.) Her neighbors Darby and Delilah. (ADORE.) Her elderly lunch mate Marty. (LITERAL ANGEL.) It is a slow and painful process, but with the help of these darling friends, Isadora learns more about herself and about what it means to be truly happy than she ever bargained for. 🥰
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This book is funny, heartwarming, and inspiring. I even learned a thing or two about being happy! 😆 The found family vibes were really special, and Isadora grew so much. I did want to strangle her a few times towards the end, and I thought maybe it got just the tiniest bit preachy, but I really enjoyed it overall. Thanks so much to the publisher and NetGalley for the arc!

Researcher Isodora Bentley is turning thirty, and life has not turned out how she’d planned. Although she has a solid job that makes use of her intellect, she has not taken the world by storm, and she’s surviving rather than thriving.

When she sees a magazine article giving 31 steps to happiness, she decides to follow the steps so she can prove the author wrong. But her plans go awry after she meets her next-door neighbours and is assigned a new project at work.

Isodora a is a brilliant character in more ways than one. She’s intelligent (I am always a sucker for intelligent heroines. And heroes.) She’s also a brilliant character in that she is likeable and sympathetic and compelling, the kind of character I want to get to know better in fiction (because the fictional Isodora shares more about herself than her real-life equivalent would).

I loved watching Isodora develop relationships with Marty, Darby, Delilah, and her handsome colleague, Dr. Cal Baxter. All are wonderful characters who willingly help Isodora complete her “list”.

The novel is written in first person from Isadora’s point of view. She has a strong and unique voice made stronger by her habit of interrupting herself to give third-person observations of her own behaviour in the style and voice of David Attenborough. It’s a technique that adds to the story by showing us some of Isodora’s quirks.

The other character worth mentioning was ten-year-old Delilah, who is a twenty-years-younger version of Isodora, the answer to a long-ago prayer. While the Christian elements of the plot are not given a lot of emphasis, they are definitely there.

The Happy Life of Isodora Bentley mixes the quirky-colleagues vibe of All’s Fair in Love and Christmas by Sarah Monzon with The Secret to Happiness by Suzanne Woods Fisher (but without the awkward treatment of mental health).

It’s an excellent novel for anyone looking for workplace romances, or romances with characters with ADHD or similar.

Thanks to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.

I read this book for the first time last year but never got around to reviewing it. But I am thrilled that my real life book club picked it for our September read so that I could reread it! And it was just as enjoyable on the reread!

Isadora is so loveable even when she doesn’t realize it and we get to see that through the eyes of the friends she makes along the way. The humanize her to the reader and I loved how Courtney Walsh used these secondary characters to really inform the reader about the main character. It was so well done.

We had some interesting conversations in our book club about priorities and the things we do and can do to work towards having l happy lives.
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This is a women’s fiction book with a closed door, kisses only romance storyline.

Thanks to Thomas Nelson for the gifted book. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley is the kind of book that brings pure emotion to the page. It's an emotional, uplifting story that wraps around your heart and doesn’t let go. Courtney Walsh has crafted a beautiful tale about self-discovery, friendship, and learning to embrace life’s imperfections. Isadora Bentley thinks she's broken. She doesn't think or feel like other people, and she's isolated herself because of it. She’s quirky, brilliant, and relatable. Watching her journey from living on the sidelines to finding connection and joy was incredibly moving. Her inner monologue is equal parts witty and raw, making you laugh one moment and tear up the next. The first person can be a little overwhelming at first, but I quickly fell in love with the story. Isadora’s hesitant but genuine friendships combine with the tender, slow-burn romance to create something that feels authentic and heartfelt. You’ll root for Isadora to not only find love but also to embrace her worth and happiness. I found pieces of myself throughout the story, and seeing Isadora find healing brought peace I didn't know I needed.

I adored The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley. It was such a feel good and happy book, despite Isadora's challenges. By far the greatest aspect of THLOIB was Isadora finding her true family. She sets out to prove that the woman who wrote the article on things you can do to be happy is wrong and ends up not only being happy, but find her people. I especially adored her neighbor's daughter Delilah as she sees her childhood self in her. And Marty was just perfectly adorable, and provided Isadora with the advice only the wisdom of years can provide.

Courtney Walsh is one of my all time favorite authors and I always think there's no way she could top the previous book I've read by her. Yet I'm always proved wrong! I absolutely adored The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley and it quickly found its way to my favorites shelf. In fact, I want to recommend it to everybody! Oh how I fell in love with Isadora and honestly all the characters in this story. I loved coming alongside our main character and experiencing her growth alongside her through the pages. Honestly so many characters felt like friends by the end and wound their way into my heart. This charming, heartwarming, genuine read was unputdownable from start to finish. The premise and what was explored through the story, what it means to be happy, was so unique and powerful. I was left so inspired and touched by the end. While also a cute romance, it was the friendships here that were the star of the show in my opinion and made the story for me. With such lovely and warm writing, reading this book was like a bright spot in my reading life and I won't soon forget it. I could go for a re-read already!

Many thanks to Thomas Nelson and Netgalley for the gifted e-copy!

The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley grabbed my attention from the first chapter on! I loved the quirky, introverted main character and the premise of the story.

The romance was cute, but I loved the friendship aspect in the book. The older man who became a lunch buddy and her neighbor who started out as her workout friend. That was my favorite part of the book...they were such caring people.

The ending was a little disappointing for me, as I felt it needed a bit more, and I wish the faith element would have been more evident... this seemed more like a clean contemporary romance to me. All in all, though, it was an easy read and one I enjoyed reading.

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

Tried to enjoy this book but it just wasn’t for me. Not sure if it was the writing style but I couldn’t connect with it.

Thank you netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
this book was amazing, although the start had me sad, imagine spending your birthday alone, sucks tbhhh.
I loved every single page of it! I loved Isadora, this is a must-read!
this book is amazing for those who are looking for an easy read.

REVIEW: The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley by Courtney Walsh

The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley by Courtney Walsh is a heartwarming and uplifting tale that beautifully blends humor, self-discovery, and the quest for happiness. The story follows Isadora Bentley, a quirky and introverted academic who sets out on an unconventional journey to uncover the secrets of happiness, only to find herself in the process.

Walsh's writing is engaging and filled with warmth, drawing you into Isadora's world from the very first page. Isadora is a wonderfully relatable protagonist—intelligent, awkward, and endearing in her own unique way. Her struggles with loneliness and self-doubt are portrayed with sensitivity and realism, making her growth throughout the novel both inspiring and satisfying.

The book has a colorful cast of secondary characters who add depth and charm to the story. From Isadora’s eccentric coworkers to her unexpected new friends, each character plays a meaningful role in her transformation. The interactions between Isadora and these characters are often humorous and touching, perfectly balancing the novel's more reflective moments.

While the plot may be somewhat predictable, with familiar beats in the genre of self-discovery and personal growth, the journey and character development make this book shine. The themes of friendship, self-acceptance, and finding joy in the little things are handled with grace and authenticity.
The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley is a feel-good read that will leave you with a smile on your face and remind you that happiness is often found in the most unexpected places. It's a perfect pick for those who enjoy stories of personal growth with a dash of humor and a lot of heart.

Thank you, Netgalley and Thomas Nelsons, for the free advanced copy for my honest review!

Courtney Walsh does it again! I loved this story so much. The characters, the emotions, and the overall storyline was perfect!

This would be the perfect, feel good book to grab for anyone who liked Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine and similar stories!

I would absolutely recommend this book and author to everyone! Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this copy in exchange for my honest review!

Pretty cute story about finding happiness. The main focus on this was on Isadora and her journey. The romance was a bit of a side plot in my opinion but still cute.

I liked seeing Isadora's character growth throughout the story, and I liked that there was so much focus on her relationships outside of the romantic ones- those are so important on one's journey to happiness.

Every once in a while you come across a book that just makes you happy to read the book. The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley is one of those books, even though, when we meet Isadora, a University researcher, she is pretty miserable. She is isolated, and believes that this is what she wants. If nothing else, it keeps her insulated from pain. On her birthday, she goes to the store to get all of her junk food treats. In general, she does not let herself eat any of the things she is purchasing but on this one day, when she is alone on her birthday, she makes an exception. She makes another exception and purchases a tabloid magazine with an article entitled, "31 Ways To Be Happy." Isadora thinks the article is a crock, and so is the "doctor" that wrote it, and so begins her experiment to prove this doctor wrong. She is determined to try these different ways to be happy and show how none of them work. It certainly begins that way.... but Isadora may find some surprises on this journey, and maybe she will be the one to be proven wrong.

I loved this book. I smiled, laughed and cringed, as I read. I loved the characters I met, the quirky way that Isadora conducted herself and the ways she was able to learn something new... about happiness, other people and about herself. In a world where so many things bring pain, and dark and challenges, it is so refreshing to read a story that brings light and joy to the reader. Read this book. I promise you will not be disappointed.

The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley is a sweet, charming look at life and what makes you happy. I really enjoy stories of found family, and this was a great mix of that with coming out of your shell themes and a slow burn romance. All of the side characters really made this book for me.
Thank you Thomas Nelson for the copy through NetGalley in exchange for a review.

My friends and I interviewed Courtney Walsh about this title at StoryChats podcast here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ohS9-aJyxo

Isadora Bently is DELIGHTFUL! I loved this book SO much! As a fellow rule follower I could totally relate to Isadora Bentley. She is a rule follower and likes things done the right way. But she doesn't believe happiness is meant for her, so when events come into her life that begin to change that perspective, she is out of her element!
Courtney Walsh is an auto buy author for me!

This was a fun book! I really liked Isadora. She was a unique, slightly quirky character. It was fun reading about the way she saw the world. I also liked the way parts were narrated as if she were an observation of an animal in the wild. That may sound a bit odd, but when you think about it, I think we all feel like animals in the wild from time to time when we find ourselves in unfamiliar situations. This is a unique book for the inspy market and I highly recommend it.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.