The Happy Life of Isadore Bentley
By Courtney Walsh
Pub Date: June 13: 2023
Thomas Nelson
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Romance, fiction, contemporary
I loved this book! It was a quirky story of an introvert and so relatable!
The themes were great! The book captured me from the beginning.
5 stars

I had a hard time getting into this book. Isadora Bentley is thirty years old, socially awkward, and in my opinion boring. After the third attempt to finish this novel, I just gave up. I am disappointed because I usually love to read this author's books. This one just wasn't for me. Thanks to the author, Thomas Nelson, and NetGalley. I received a complimentary copy of this ebook. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Such a fun book! Isadora is very well-developed and relatable character. I loved the pop culture references and the people she meets along the way.

Isadora is my spirit animal. I related to a ridiculous amount of this book & I’m not sure how to feel about that. Isadora is a bit of a quirky loner, a quiet observer, awkward with words, and she likes her life predictable & expected. Her inner monologue had me cackling over & over again.

On isadora’s 30th birthday, she finds herself alone and questioning if happiness really exists. In an effort to find it, she follows 31 prompts from a magazine for a “happiness experiment”. She is a researcher at Chicago U & makes this her personal project. She’s been hurt by everyone in her life who has mattered, as far back as kindergarten. This has allowed her to retreat into herself and create a space where she feels she is not enough. This story took me on an emotional journey as Isadora allowed people to tear down her walls and enter her world.

This book won’t be for everyone. Extroverts may have a hard time relating to this story, but the quiet observers— grab a cozy blanket & buckle up.

I think fans of Katherine Center will love this contemporary fiction book. It’s such a feel good story 🥰

I am glad I ended up finishing this one as I almost DNF'd it. Isadora was entirely too immature, selfish, and negative a lot of the time. I don't mind a character who is all about her intelligence and who has flaws from her past, but her inability to logically think through the situations (which she should be able to do with her intelligence) made it challenging to continue on. However, I really adored all of the other side characters, so that's what kept me coming back to the book. I always wanted to see how they would grow and change. My favorite character by far was Marty and I would ADORE to see a book about him and Shirley. Or a book about Darby and Dante. But a book about Isadora? Meh. I appreciated the 31 ways to be happy as I feel like that was the only reason I could tolerate Isadora. I am glad I finish though, despite knowing how it would end up (obviously it's romance and so there was always going to be a HEA here). I'm not sure this is one I would recommend to my friends though.

Thank you to the publisher and NG for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Publishing for this complimentary copy of The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley. This review is based solely from my reading of the novel and was not persuaded by any other source. Five stars!
Before your life really begins, times can be tough and they were for Isadora. She didn’t see herself as others did and it blurred the image of herself. While she was a fascinating and brilliant woman, people used her for what they could get, because she was phenomenal at her job as a researcher. Then she started a challenge to prove someone wrong in a magazine article and it all spiraled into the right direction from there for Isadora.

She had many discoveries along the way, lots of fun and it was an enjoyment to take this journey with Isadora. Never having a best friend would be a lonely way to live, but sometimes you don’t know what’s missing until it’s gone.

Many people will never be happy, because they settle for less, but Isadora realized what she wanted and went after it. Marty was such a wonderful addition to the novel and helped shape and mold the deeper points throughout the book. The insights he provided really added to the writing, in my personal opinion.

Then Cal appeared and Isadora was skeptical, but had to fulfill her job as a researcher and put her personal feelings aside. Their relationship I found to be of a professional basis, and I loved how Cal was portrayed throughout the novel. A very sweet and stand-up guy that wanted Isadora to only have the best personally and professionally. He pushed her towards a better Isadora. I loved that about the writing and it created a happy swoon mood for readers.

All the characters were lovable and easy to follow. They all had their quirks, but I found them to all fit well together.

This novel wasn’t like the others I have read by Courtney Walsh and I really enjoyed that. Given I have not read some of her kindle only reads, but have read most all her novels and have enjoyed them as well, but enjoyed a different pace with this one. Sometimes a change of pace is important for an author, so they do not become indistinguishable from the others. I loved this novel, because of that change. It had humor (laugh out loud moments), heartache, best friendships, light-hearted romance and was a delight to read. Great read!!!!

I started reading The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley with the expectation that it would be similar to many other contemporary romances. I sure was wrong. I LOVED this book. It totally took me by surprise and I couldn't put it down.

Here are some of the things I loved the most:
- Isadora. She is so quirky, but it works so well in this book. I found myself relating to her in SO many ways. I was riding the emotional roller coaster right with her.
- Isadora's found family - she finds the most perfect group of people to love her. I was laughing and crying at these amazing characters.
- The romance was SO sweet. Cal is such a great male lead. I love his determination and patience.
- The Happiness Experiments. Isadora finds an article called "31 Ways to Be Happy" and decides to try them all to prove it wrong. But each step is so much fun, especially as her new friends join her in her adventures.
- This book made me think a LOT about happiness and what I can do in my own life to feel happier.
- This book had a depth that I didn't expect. Complicated pasts, hard family relationships, and painful journeys of self-love and acceptance.

This is definitely a book that I will be thinking about for a long time, and I can't wait to own a copy for myself!

Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas Nelson Publishers, and Courtney Walsh for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest opinions!

Many thanks to NetGalley and The Publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a cute story about finding happiness. I really liked the cast of character’s and was engaged throughout the first half. The second half was too slow and repetitive, which dropped it down to 3 ⭐️. Overall, it’s a solid feel good book about self discovery and finding your people.

31 steps to be happy. Really truly worked and opened up our Neurodivergent Main Character.

Isadora has always been the odd ball growing up, she has always been different, didn’t grow up with friends or have a healthy relationship with her family.

On her 30th birthday she decides to follow and do the 31 steps to be happy.
Throughout her journey she finds her found family - these relationships are absolutely heart warming. Darby, Delilah, Marty and Cal. Each of whom brings a different element to isadoras life.

She goes from being so closed off and focus only on work. To opening her heart, trying new things, opening up to people and letting them into her life to get to know the true her. This story is just absolutely beautiful. I laughed, I cried, I cringed.
I honestly love this story more for the relationships she grows as friends vs the romance aspect of it. And just to know that happiness is a choice you can make for yourself you just have to embrace it.

This book was adorable from start to finish. The cast of characters was a delight and I found Isadora's journey satisfying and even inspiring - if a tad predictable. The main character's growth and journey of self discovery had more depth than I was expecting. Overall, highly recommend this one if you're looking for something cozy and upbeat!

I've read many fantastic books by Courtney Walsh, so I was excited to see that she has another book coming out soon! "The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley" is about the afore-mentioned Isadora, a scientific researcher who has closed herself off to love. Having endured insults from both her peers and her parents growing up, Isadora doesn't believe in herself, and she especially doesn't believe that she can ever be happy. But her scientific mind is intrigued when she comes across a study titled, "Thirty-One Ways to Be Happy." Isadora decides to test this for herself and, along the way, she discovers that happiness is a choice she can make. She also develops some new relationships and discovers that she is capable both of receiving love and giving love.

I really enjoyed this book and the premise behind it. Isadora is easy to root for, and I resonated with her bravery and struggle to find happiness. I also really liked the side characters, and loved them too. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Courtney Walsh is one of my favorite authors so I was thrilled to see she was releasing another book. However, this book has a different writing style than her other books and I really struggled with connecting to the characters. Her main character was way too quirky for my liking, and I had trouble staying interested in the book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.

I expected to love this book and instead merely liked it. I rounded up to 4 stars.

Isadora was delightful, and I enjoyed her growing self-awareness, her friendships, and her budding romantic relationship. Unfortunately, I was very distracted by some pretty huge inaccuracies about how research, the field of psychology, and publication work.

Basically I would recommend this book to people who have no knowledge of the world of academia. Without that distraction, it's great. But if you're acquainted with academic research, especially in psychology, you might want to give The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley a pass -- or be prepared to spend a lot of time actively suspending your disbelief.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Isadora Bentley reminds me so much of myself! She keeps to herself, keeps her nose in the books, and doesn't take big risks. On her most recent birthday, she sees a magazine list of "31 Ways to be Happy" and decides to prove the author wrong. How dare someone tell her how to be happy!

The list leads her to some unexpected relationships, and Isadora learns that perhaps happiness is a choice. She also learns how to open up and let people in. As much as I relate to her, I found Isadora to be quite frustrating at times. She was very closed off and anxious, and this affected her life big time. I loved the people she became friends with, and the love interest, Cal, was really great. I'm glad this book focused on friendships and personal improvement as well as romantic relationships.

The writing was great and the plot was well-paced. This is listed as Christian fiction, but there weren't a lot of mentions of faith. This isn't a pro or a con, just an observation. I really enjoyed reading this book.

BOOK REVIEW: The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley by Courtney Walsh

What I liked: I absolutely love a gimmick in my
romantic-comedies, so following Isadora as she makes her way through a list of “31 Ways to be Happy” was super fun. I love when stories are structured around a certain set of steps like this, and Walsh did a really great job with it. The writing was really easy to digest, and made reading a pleasure.

What I didn’t love: Isadora. Unfortunately I found her to be kinda annoying and almost…immature. Now, I don’t mind an awkward “brains-over-beauty” character but good grief—we getttt it. It just felt a bit to heavy handed. I did love all our other MCs though, so that’s a win.

I’m sum this was very wholesome, sweet and fun. If you’re looking for a lighthearted rom-com that touches on the importance of quality human connection—pick this one up.

Immediately after starting this book I knew I was going to be wanting more. I loved the way Courtney Walsh set up Isadora's life and her experiment. This book was clever and lighthearted but also touched on some true and difficult emotions. I completely empathized with Isadora and loved the group of friends she gathered along the way to discovering who she really is. An easy recommendation for almost any reader!

I really loved Isadora and the family she slowly creates for herself as she undertakes her experiment on 31 things to do to make yourself happy. Though she doesn't want to admit it at first, she has come to a place where she wants more. She wants to be happier. And by working through her past she is able to find it.

This book made me happy. It was a great read and the main character was so special to me. I loved this book. Also, the cover is perfect.

The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley by Courtney Walsh was a inspirational, funny contemporary romance novel.
I really enjoyed this book. There is an interesting and nice story line, the characters are refreshing, and there is a sweet romance too.
Here everything is excellent—the writing, the characters, the plot.
The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley absolutely got me in the feels! I loved watching Isadora and Cal together.
My first time reading this authors work and I’m so excited to read her previous titles and the ones to come.

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

Thank You NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

Isadora is perfectly content to remain alone with her research. She avoids professors and the students that she's supposed to mentor. On the night of her 30th birthday, Isadora impulsively picks up a magazine that advertises, "Thirty-One Ways to Be Happy." She sets out to prove this theory wrong. While she conducts her research by completing each step, Isadora inadvertently makes friends. Despite her best efforts not to. She is pulled far out of her comfort zone, forced to confront her own feelings and even fall in love. Courtney Walsh is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. She has created characters that will stay with you for a long time and everyone can relate to in some way. The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley is one you won't want to miss out on.