I’ll be your friend, Isadora!

This is such a sweet sorry with some hard revelations. I loved following Isadora’s journey towards happiness. The story was made even more special with the supporting characters.

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for the e-ARC. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for an e-ARC of this book.

Isadora Bentley is analytical and data driven. So when she sees a magazine cover claiming 31 steps to happiness she sets out to prove it wrong. Surely there’s more to it than that - happiness has been so much more elusive in her own life.

Along her journey she collects a cast of characters she never could have anticipated, people who end up rooting for her and showing her what happiness truly looks like.

Such a sweet, uplifting story full of heart and a little humor. Everything you want in an inspirational novel that is just simply feel good.

Adorable cover and super cute book. Thank you Thomas Nelson and the author for my review copy. Opinions stated are my own.

”Isadora believes that happiness is something that flat-out doesn’t exist in her life.” She aims to refute Dr. Monroe’s claim in an article, “The 31 Ways to a Happier Life.” It didn’t exist. It’s simply not possible. Can anyone really be content? This would be Isadora Bentley’s secret project.

I enjoyed seeing Isadora carefully observe the 31 guidelines in order to further strengthen her theory. Along the way, readers will feel a range of emotions and have a few “ah-ha” moments with Isadora. I enjoyed the way the author enlists readers and fictional characters in this effort to disprove the 31 ways to happiness.

The author encourages everyone to live life to the fullest, rather than letting it pass you by. In this tale, everyone learns that life is a gift meant to be shared. We were designed to live together in community. The characters quickly realize that embracing life is more important than simply observing it. I applaud the author’s ability to entertain, engross, and make readers laugh out loud. I loved this novel filled with wonderful relatable, endearing characters to root for and hang out with. It’s a delightful ride you don’t want to miss.

This is a wonderful escape and one that your book club will love talking about. The author includes discussion questions.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I requested and received a copy of this book by the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. 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.”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog https://psalm516.blogspot.com/

I received this book early and it was a great book.
I was enthralled and told others about it.
I haven't read many by Courtney Walsh and it was a delight!

Thank you to NetGalley for this free preview in exchange of an honest review. I simply adored this book. I loved the main character and while it was never addressed, she is on the spectrum which makes her honest and lovable. I loved the quest of the book, happiness. And I loved how she made it a research project, complete with experiments and gathering data. This book was simply charming and delightful.

Courtney Walsh knows how to write relatable heroines and I absolutely adored this one! I felt so many emotions while reading this one as not only could I relate but because being on the journey with her had me feeling all the ups and downs. I loved this one and look forward to reading many more from the author.

Isadora Bentley has a routine. She doesn't vary her routine or her solitude. At least she didn't' until the night of her 30th when she buys a magazine with an article on 31 ways to find happiness. As a well respected university researcher, Isadora doesn't believe an article can help readers be happy and makes it her mission to disprove the author. But in her mission to do so, she may just prove the author right!

This book gave so much insight to Isadora now and her younger self. Through the people she meets during her research, we see both the vulnerability and hope in Isadora that is in us all.

The cast of characters in this book was AMAZING! I want to be part of their group!

5 STARS!!!!

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

“Maybe happiness isn’t about what you do, Isadora. Maybe it’s about who you do it with.”

“The happy life of Isadora Bentley” brings us the story of a young woman in a pursuit of happiness. Isadora is not our typical heroine and that’s refreshing. She is alone in the world and, when turning 30, she finds a magazine that claims to have the ingredients for happiness so she decides to follow the 31 steps list and see where it takes her.

The overall story is very heartwarming, while dealing with serious issues, such as loneliness, grief and bullying. Isadora is a researcher in Academia and, despite this not being my typical STEM setting, it manages to bring relevant issues to the table, such as the correct credit to authors in academic works. I liked that the book brought us this issue, while keeping away from STEM fields, showing Academia can be cruel regardless of your area of expertise.

This is a book more focus on character growth than on action, and Isadora grows a lot during her journey to find happiness. I felt that the growth was really well achieved, as sometimes Isadora takes some steps back. As in life, progress is not a straight line and sometimes we need to do a detour along the way. I felt this brought realism to the book, although I also felt sometimes the pacing was slower than it needed to be.

Isadora was bullied in her younger years and the descriptions I read felt closer to some podcasts I’ve heard about people’s life experience with bullying, so, for this, I must aplaude the author. I can’t, myself, evaluate the accurancy of the descriptions, but I felt people could easily relate to Isadora’s experience.

The book brings us some introspective moments, with questions such as what it means to be happy. It’s not a heavy narrative, but it has the power to make us think a little and maybe look at things from a different perspective, which happens as a result of the different secondary characters that interact with Isadora, each one of them with different personalities and life experiences to share. The characters were very well achieved as well, as the secondary characters have a life of their own and all of them have full background stories. Often I feel the secondary characters only exist to interact with the MC and the fact that it didn’t happened here added dimension and realism to the story.

This review will also be available on my Goodreads profile and, closer to the release date, on my Instagram account - @cat.literary.world

I want to give Isadora a great big hug!

I loved this book - it was such a feel good read. Never have I enjoyed a cast of characters more... every single one of them (with the exception of you Alex) was so endearing and really well rounded. Isadora gave me Sheldon Cooper vibes for all you Big Bang Theory fans out there, but minus the condescending attitude towards people... she had a very tough childhood, an even tougher experience in adulthood and has trouble trusting. She also is a bit socially awkward which just made me want to befriend her.

Courtney Walsh develops characters and storylines so well and this book was no different. There was an unexpected twist as well. I hope everyone gets the chance to fall in love with Isadora - you won't be disappointed!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

This books was everything I never knew I always wanted.

Isadora is having a midlife crisis of sorts. Only, she thinks she is just out to prove an article and it's author wrong. As a researcher, Isadora knows how to be accurate, conduct experiments, surveys, gather the data, and arrive at conclusions. She's pretty sure her hypothesis will be proved correct. But Isadora neglected to add in the human elements of friends and feelings.

My heart hurt for Isadora. She had a pretty rough go of things as a child with no friends and no support. Isadora also processes things differently. (Perhaps a little neurodivergent if you will, although that's my interpretation as it is never stated in the book.) Where she was at 30 was not quite where she wanted to be. The supporting cast (including our favorite leading man - Cal) was so great! We all need people - our people. And the truths that Isadora discovers are necessarily new, but it was all written so beautifully!

"The desire for happiness, it seems is universal. And needed now more than ever..."

"It was about me realizing that I have the power to change my ow life. Happiness is a choice... That a big revelation."

Buy this book. Read it again and again. It's everything.

Thanks to netgalley for an eARC.

If you're looking for a heartwarming and inspiring read, then this is the book for you. Author Courtney Walsh takes us on a journey with protagonist Isadora Bentley, a university researcher who believes that happiness is something that simply doesn't exist in her life. But when Isadora impulsively decides to prove that happiness is a myth, she embarks on a life-changing adventure that will have you rooting for her every step of the way.

Walsh's writing is both witty and insightful, as she explores the themes of self-discovery and personal growth. Isadora is a relatable and complex character who will tug at your heartstrings and leave you feeling inspired. Her transformation from a rule-abiding and closed-off individual to someone who is willing to take risks and embrace the unknown is truly remarkable.

What's particularly impressive about this book is how Walsh weaves in scientific research on happiness without it feeling forced or contrived. The book provides valuable insights into the benefits of positive psychology, mindfulness, and the power of human connection.

Overall, "The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley" is a delightful read that will leave you feeling uplifted and inspired. Walsh has created a relatable and engaging protagonist in Isadora, and her journey of self-discovery is both heartwarming and thought-provoking. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a feel-good read that will leave them with a renewed sense of hope and optimism.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you so much!

Great read! I flew through this one. Genuine characters and a fun story idea. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. Four stars!

There were so many things I loved about this book. The characters for one. Quirky, nerdy, outsider Isadora. Proactive, "I will be your friend and stick around, I don't care what you say" Darby. Precious Delilah (having watched Courtney Walsh's IG stories around the holidays, I know her pet peeve is poor writing/wrong age writing of children in stories and she totally nailed 10 year old girl here). Cal with his big heart and wonderful family. And loving, insightful Marty. Oh and even weird mustachioed Gary.

I got some A Man Called Ove vibes (neighbor who doesn't give up) and The Holiday (older lonely man with a lot of wisdom) vibes throughout the book that I enjoyed.

I loved that Isadora set out to prove that a list of 31 things to make you happier was a bunch of bologna and got so much more than she could have thought in the bargain. I enjoyed all the items on the list and the way she worked them.

This one was a solid 4 stars for me. It didn't hit 5 stars because, while I know so many of them exist in the world and I don't want to discount that, I don't love the "too afraid to get hurt and push everyone away and don't let them get too close" trope. It is totally believable here, so I don't think it's forced, but it's just not something I personally love so this one is a 4 star for me

Thank you Netgalley and Thomas Nelson for an advanced readers copy of this book. The thoughts are entirely my own.

This book celebrates those who are different. Isadora was a brainy, socially awkward kid who is now a brainy, socially awkward adult. Can different people be happy? And who says they are actually different?

This book will make you think, and maybe see a few people around you with new eyes. If you are someone like Isadora, including feeling isolated and/or having a past with bullying and rejection, maybe the person you see with those new eyes is yourself.

This is billed as Christian Fiction, but while God and church are mentioned a few times, I would consider this clean, inspirational fiction.

I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to all readers.

Courtney Walsh has previously been one of my favorite authors I had pretty much read all of her books 4-5 years ago. All of them were "happy" books that worked through tough situations/love stories, but what made me remember them most was the Christian message of hope that was laced throughout.
So when I got approved for Isadora I was so excited because I had not read a good "wholesome" book in a while. As I flipped through the page I had this anticipation that at the end Walsh was going to hit me with the hope and promises of God and the joy He gives us. Our contentment and peace in this world is nothing here on earth but it is in Him and Him alone.
Instead Walsh took this book as more of a women's empowerment(??) book. Isadora concluded that her hapiness and joy in life was the choice she gets to make.
Isadora was self doubting the book, she did have some funny lines at times and I appreciated her love of sweatpants and books. Overall I did not warm up to her. I loved loved loved Darby her neighboor and sweet Delilah
So as much as I love COurtney Walsh, this was a dissapointment for me.
Many thanks to Netgally and Tom Nelson Publishing and of course the wonderful Courtney Walsh for allowing me to advanced read this book. I was not influenced in any way for this honest review.

This was such a sweet book. I adore Isadora. I love how she grows and changes. And the other characters are lovely too!

Simply amazing!! This book is everything I didn’t know I needed. I was able to immediately relate to Isadora and enjoyed seeing her quest to prove an article “31 ways to be happy” is wrong. Along the way, she meets interesting characters who help her on her journey to discover how to be happy. I felt like this was a subject that a lot of people struggle with because of all the hardships going on in the world. I also loved the uniqueness of Cal, Derby, Delilah, and Marty. This book was so fast-paced and interesting that I couldn’t put it down. Highly highly recommend!!

*I received and e-ARC copy from Netgalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.

The format on this e-ARC was horrible. I honestly couldn’t get through it because it was so distracting. There publisher logos on every page - but like in the middle of paragraphs. There were no chapter breaks. It was quite difficult to read. I put it down but plan on grabbing the final when it’s available. I love Courtney’s books so will rate it high because I’m sure this is a solid book too!

Can’t wait to read a format that isn’t so choppy.

I had a lot of fun reading this book. I think Isadora acts as an "every-man" figure: all of us can find a piece of ourselves in her. Following Isadora on her journey can be helpful for those trying to find happiness.

I’m a little bit conflicted about how to rate this book. On the one hand, I think this book can be very healing for people who relate to Isadora and want to break out of their shells. Conversely, the book felt a bit cliché and pushy with its messages. I did find the writing to be a bit choppy and I don't think this is Walsh's best work. However, if you're looking for a self-help-type-book that's fiction, this would be a great book for you. Also, if you're going into this for the romance, you'll probably be disappointed as it's not the main focus of the book. To be honest, I might have left the romance aspect off altogether.

Huge thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.