The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley is a contemporary novel written by Courtney Walsh.

Summary: Researcher Isadora Bentley doesn’t believe in happily-ever-after. In fact, she doesn’t even really believe in being happy in general.

So, when Isadora sees a magazine article containing 31 ways to be happy, she decides to put her extensive research skills to the test and prove once and for all that happiness isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. 

Isadora methodically works through the list, determined to prove each point wrong. But along the way she starts to realize that maybe being happy isn’t so overrated after all. 

My Thoughts:

SO……

Not to overstate my feelings about this book, but out of the 256 books I read in 2023-this was my hands-down absolute favorite.

I really connected with the premise of this book, along with the main character Isadora. 

This book is entertaining. I definitely laughed out loud at parts.

This book also made me think about life and what I want out of it. 

I will not lie. I cried a few times as well.

It’s a beautifully written, poignant story, and gosh, I just loved every bit of it.

This is definitely a book to buy for your shelf, and I rarely say that. 

The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley is already on my list to re-read this year, and I am looking forward to it!

SUCH a great read!

I would like to thank Thomas Nelson for providing me with a free digital copy of this book in exchange for my review. Thank you!

This was such a sweet, funny, relatable read—so many of us have been in this position of wanting to change our life but not knowing how. I loved Isadora's journey!

Wow i don’t know how i missed reviewing this because i read it a couple months ago and loved it so much!

I loved Isadora! She is so me! Every bookish , nerdy girl can identify with her! I also loved Delilah. I wanted to hug her so bad. Isadora decides to go out, meets new people , finds love and finally stand up for herself.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy of The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley by Courtney Walsh in exchange for my honest review and opinion. Oh my goodness - this book is absolutely precious. I think it might be one of the best ROM COM's I've read this year. It's so heart warming and fun. You will love it.

IN MY TOP THREE FAVORITE READS OF 2023! This is my favorite Courtney Walsh book to date! So funny and witty and yet beautifully vulnerable. There was never a dull moment in this story-- perfectly paced and spot-on humor hits. I listened to this one in the car with my 13-year-old daughter while on a long road trip. There were times we were gut laughing. I so appreciate being able to read something this entertaining with my daughter :) Well done, Courtney!

my thoughts: THE HAPPY LIFE OF ISADORA BENTLEY is simply a mustread. I loved this book as Isadora went in search of happiness--or rather disproving an artical she read about 31 steps to happiness. Step 1 exercise daily. Yeah, thats enough to make me slam the cover shut right there. And the exercise sounds rather painful. Some of the steps sounded fun. Like eating chocolate. Yum. I'm with her there. I really enjoyed this book and want to reread it again asap. There is a romance, but there is absolutely no faith message. It is a clean read. Highly recommend.

Turning thirty is a huge milestone in any person’s life. Most celebrate it with close friends and family. Isadora Bentley, however, spent hers in a sugar induced, magazine haze. Irritated by the claim happiness is only 32 simple steps away, she decides to put her research skills to the test. Will Isadora be able to debunk the notion that happiness can be systematically achieved, or will she inadvertently find a fulfilling life in the process?

Courtney Walsh had managed to steal my heart once again with her phenomenal writing!!! I am calling it now, The Happy Life Of Isadora Bentley is my favorite read of 2023. While there are still two months left before I can say definitively, I can’t imagine another book taking the title.

I first began reading this book in early August. As much as I loved it, I couldn’t bring myself to finish it until today, three months later. I know that might sounds counterintuitive, but this book is just so special. Finishing it meant saying goodbye to Isadora and the cast of characters that made up her world, and I wasn’t ready to do so.

As far as characters go, Isadora Bentley is one of the most unique ones I have had the pleasure of reading.
Though never outright stated, one can assume that Isadora was neurodivergent, as she appears to fit the description. I love describing her as a mash up of Amy Farrah Fowler and Sheldon Cooper from The Big Bang Theory. However, where those two characters could often be reduced to stereotypes, Isadora was anything but. She is a true complex character.

This book preaches opening oneself up to new experiences. At the beginning, Isadora’s life consisted of a rigid schedule that not only left her isolated, but actively repelled others. Luckily, by the end of her journey Isadora found love, success, a community, and ultimately the key to happiness.

I could ramble on and on about how amazing this book is. However, due to the limited number of characters we are allotted, I must stop here. Please, grab a copy wherever books are sold and read for yourself. You won’t be disappointed.

Special thanks to Netgalley, Courtney Walsh, and Thomas Nelson-Fiction for gifting me a copy in exchange for my honest review.

*I bought a physical copy as soon as I finished so I can reread it whenever I wish!

Isadora Bentley is a university researcher who is turning 30. While in the grocery store, she sees an article - “31 Ways to be Happy” and sets out to prove that it’s false. While trying these 31 ways, she meets new people and starts to wonder if she’s actually proving the article…right? I loved the characters in this book more than anything. Isadora is so quirky and smart and the people she meets along her journey have such strong personalities - the inquisitive child, the mom, the widower, the handsome professor. I also loved the wit in some of the conversations. I recommend!

Thank you to Goodreads and the publisher for the ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

I was looking for a feel-good story and this was the most recommended book, and it was just what I was hoping for.

As a new fan of author Courtney Walsh, I am so hooked on her writing and characters.

WHAT TO EXPECT
-themes of friendship
-found family
-choosing happiness
-all the banter

*many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the gifted copy for review

Thank you, NetGalley and Thomas Nelson, for the digital review copy (DRC). Thanks, DoD Library, for the loaned audiobook.

The book initially caught my attention because the cover reminded me of THE BOOKISH LIFE OF NINA HILL (a book I loved). <<Swipe to see a comparison.>> Then friends told me how charming the story was.

Isadora isn’t lonely. She likes being alone in her empty apartment, office, and life. People have overlooked or humiliated her since she was in Kindergarten. At 30, she’s learned it’s best just to keep everyone else away. Until a list on a magazine cover (“Thirty-One Ways to Be Happy”) catches her attention. She decides to prove them wrong by doing each step and documenting the failures. (You know where this is going, right?)

The book had everything that makes me happy:
1. Found family bringing someone out of their shell
2. Humor
3. Light but with some deep themes (“Happiness is a choice”)
4. A handsome, charming, and intelligent love interest
5. A sweet widower sitting on a bench
6. A charismatic new friend
7. A precocious 10-year-old neighbor
8. Transformation (even a little makeover!)
9. A list (I love lists)
10. Witty banter

“Honestly? I don’t have any desire to clip my return address tag onto someone else’s baggage.”

“His thoughts are like a chimp found a dictionary and a shredder.”

I had a DRC from NetGalley, but friends recommended I wait for the audio. Wow, they were right! Narrator @jorjeanamarie_ nailed it! She is joyous, snarky, and hilarious. She also has a rare gift: she can voice male and child characters without them sounding annoying. She also does a great Sir David Attenborough impersonation.

This was a perfect feel-good story!! I loved it. I double-dog dare you to read it without smiling.

What a wonderful book! Loved the characters and the growth of Isadora throughout the story. Plus just fantastic writing!

I loved this book. I really enjoyed the journey Isadora went on. This book is much more than just a story. There is something we can all learn from in this book.

As Isadora patiently waits in the grocery checkout line, her attention is ensnared by the enticing promises of a magazine article that boldly guarantees happiness. Frustration wells up inside her, and she's determined to disprove every single word within those pages. What follows is an engaging journey of research where she embarks on a quest to test the veracity of these happiness claims.

Isadora's unconventional exploration requires her to connect with people on a deeply personal level, and her rather peculiar approach to these interactions provides some amusing moments. Her straightforward and unfiltered ways of engaging with others add a humorous touch to her encounters. But little does Isadora know that her expertise in research can't fully prepare her for the profound emotional voyage of self-discovery and self-acceptance that lies ahead.

This captivating story revolves around the exploration of happiness and the profound theme of living life to its fullest potential. Isadora's transformation from a state of loneliness to a beautiful discovery of love is exceptionally relatable, leaving readers with poignant reminders about the significance of embracing life's complexities. In the end, "Waiting for Happiness" is a heartwarming rom-com that masterfully evokes a range of emotions, from heartwarming smiles to spontaneous laughter and even heartfelt tears.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for sending a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

From page one I was invested in Isadora and Mama Bear protective over her. I absolutely LOVED this book and the characters. It was unique, the characters quirky, and the writing phenomenal. Love, love, loved it!

The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley is a charming and heartwarming story about a young woman who learns to find happiness in the unexpected. Isadora is a brilliant but socially awkward researcher who believes that happiness is something that doesn't exist in her life. But on her thirtieth birthday, she decides to challenge herself by following a list of 31 ways to be happy.

Isadora's journey takes her outside of her comfort zone and forces her to confront her fears and insecurities. She learns to let go of her perfectionism, to appreciate the little things in life, and to build relationships with others. Along the way, she also discovers that happiness is not a destination, but a journey.

The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley is a well-written and engaging novel with a relatable protagonist. Isadora is a complex and sympathetic character, and her journey to happiness is both inspiring and heartwarming. The novel is also full of humor and charm, and it makes for a delightful read.

One of the things I loved most about The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley is its message of hope. Isadora's journey teaches us that it is never too late to find happiness, and that even the smallest changes can make a big difference. The novel is also a reminder that happiness is not something that happens to us, but something that we choose.

Isadora Bentley has decided that happiness is not in the cards for her. Working as a university researcher, Isadora tends to keep to herself and live her own quiet, simple life. However, when an article titled “Thirty-One Ways to Be Happy” grabs her attention, she turns her research to it, attempting to prove the author wrong.

I loved the premise of this novel, but felt like something was lacking in the execution. The book took me a while to read because it just wasn’t holding my attention as much as I had hoped. I still really enjoyed Isadora and the other characters, and found them to be relatable and down to earth. While I was left wanting more from this story, I will continue to check out the author’s future books!

Thank you NetGalley & Thomas Nelson for my gifted e-book!

I think I’ve read too many books with main characters that are socially awkward recently. I just wasn’t digging this one at the moment and I think it was a case of it’s not you it’s me.

This was a fun read! The characters are quirky, the theme sweet, and whole story fun to be a part of. If you're looking for a clean, light read with a rom-com feel (but not all about romance), check this one out!

This story was laugh out loud funny. I connected so much with Isadora's character. She was such a fun and quirky character . This is a heartfelt story about finding yourself and what actually makes you happy.