Courtney Walsh’s upcoming book, The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley, is a real laugh out loud romantic comedy sure to entertain and delight!!! 5 fantastic stars!

Romantic comedies can be tricky, and some are borderline silly for my tastes, but such is not the case with this amazingly well done adventure into the life of Isadora Bentley. Her innermost thoughts are lived out on the page and introverts or others who have ever felt like “odd man out” in life will see the effect it has on her and her attempts to change.

Isadora's professional and personal relationship with Professor Cal Baxter was adorable and hilarious at the same time. His patience and understanding with her exploits was pure charm. Neighbors Darby and especially Delilah add so much personality to the story they could each have books of their own. The story builds and strengthens as it moves forward and I couldn't have enjoyed it more!

There are so many wonderful quotes in this book, a few favorites,
"I don't have any desire to clip my return address tag onto someone else's baggage."
"CHOOSE to be happy." Then get out of your own way.

The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley was the most fun and enjoyable book I've read in a long time. I'd love to see Courtney Walsh continue writing in this genre. I appreciate Thomas Nelson, via NetGalley, making a copy of this refreshing and witty book available for review. All thoughts and opinions are my very own.

After reading the blurb, I thought “This book sounds like me!” I was hooked on the story from the very first page & ended up reading the entire thing in one sitting because I was so invested!

Isadora is quirky, socially awkward, a hardcore introvert, and oh so relatable! Perhaps not in all her mannerisms & behaviours, but definitely in her mental dialogue, core fears, and her journey. Plus, her romance with Cal is absolutely adorable!

Cal is simply wonderful! He’s the opposite of Isadora & compliments her perfectly. He gently encourages her to get out of her comfort zone & defends her. I love how he interacts with his family & how his family welcomes Isadora.

And then there is the found family angle! This made me so happy as it’s one of my favourite tropes, and I love how it played out! Precious Marty—his interactions with Isadora & his sweet memories of his wife are beautiful. Bubbly Darby—she is definitely the sunshine to Isadora’s rain cloud & their unexpected friendship is so fun. And dear Delilah—this girl is truly a 70-year-old woman in a 10-year-old’s body & the bond between her & Isadora absolutely melted my heart.

In addition to the fantastic characters, this book’s themes surprised me in the best of ways & reduced me to tears more than once. Because in so much of Isadora’s (& Delilah’s) story, I saw mine. Isadora has to discover that she actually doesn’t hate people but instead she just hasn’t met the right people who accept & love her for who she is without trying to force her to be who/what they think she should be. And that just because she’s different doesn’t mean there’s something wrong with her. And how she views the past & those who have hurt her affects her present and her future.

I can’t explain how timely this book’s appearance in my life is, which is why it effected me so much. Do I expect others to cry over it? Probably not. But it was a gut punch for me, highlighting things I’m wrestling with & learning in my own life.

This book completely captured my heart & is definitely one of my top reads of the year!! 😭💛


Content: kissing; mentions of cheating (not the main characters)


*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.

The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley is a fun love story that is not your typical Hallmark style romance. I think fans of romcom will find it to be the perfect beach read.
Isadora Bentley is researcher that lives a life of a loner due to hurt from family and ex-boyfriend. She is brilliant, but not able to work well with others well enough to make promotions and she avoids all people in her life. On her thirtieth birthday she buys a magazine for the promise of getting a happy life in 31 easy steps. The researcher in Isadora sets out to prove it true or false. As she tries out the various 31 steps, she finds out that life is better with others.
I enjoyed The Happy Life of Isadora on a vacation in Arizona while by the pool. It is more than romance, it's a story of a woman willing to brave hurts in life to include others in it. My favorite lesson that Isadora learns is that friends can be old and young. I was disappointed in lack of a stronger Christian message, but I recommend the book to all who love a clean romance with deep relationships.
I received a complimentary copy of The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley thanks to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Oh my goodness this was absolutely amazing!! Funny, raw, emotional and heartfelt - The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley was a phenomenal read.
From being drawn in immediately with Isadora’a inner monologue and Doctor Who references to loving every single character on the page this book had me hooked!
Throughout the story we follow Isadora at her job as a University Researcher as she sets out to disprove a magazine article (that she bought at the grocery checkout counter) that details “Thirty-One Ways to Be Happy”. Her research takes her on a journey, forcing her out of her comfort zone and connecting her with the world and people around her.
Full of self discovery, friendship, a whole lot of post-it’s, empowerment and love - The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley by Courtney Walsh Is coming to a shelf near you June 13, 2023!



Thank you to NetGalley and NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I was so excited to have the chance to read an ARC of the new novel by Courtney Walsh. She is becoming one of my favorite authors. In this book in particular Courtney's writing style brings Isadora to life on the pages. You feel Isadora's awkwardness, her insecurities and her intelligence as if you are experiencing it with her . I love a book that feels like it is happening around me and not be narrarated AT me, this book easily transported the reader into the mind of Isadora Bentley. It felt somewhat chaotic at times but in a purposful and authentic way. "The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley" was very heart warming and easy to love. I think the actual romantic plot of the story between Isadora and Cal was secondary to Isadoras path of self love and self discovery. This book gave me 'Eleanor Olefant" vibes so if you enjoyed that novel pick this up. Always refreshing to read a novel whose Heroine is not your stereotypical popular cool girl. This book was full of heart and well written and I would recommend.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson fiction for providing me with an ARC of this inspiring novel.

3.5 rounded up to 4 Stars

I loved this book.. It was sweet, funny and downright inspiring. I really enjoyed watching Isadora grow throughout her journey. But I think the cast of characters was what I enjoyed the most, and will miss the most after reading this wonderful book. Definitely recommend and will be looking for more by this author.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thanks so much to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for the ARC.