I enjoyed reading The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley, set in Chicago, Illinois. The story is in first person viewpoint and opens on Isadora’s 30th birthday. Isadora is celebrating her birthday alone in her apartment with a trolley load of junk food from the grocery store. She’s a university researcher who loves data and struggles with crippling social anxiety.

Isadora is socially awkward and has poor self-esteem. She’s an only child who grew up with an absent father and narcissistic mother, and has carried a truckload of emotional baggage from her childhood and high school years into adulthood. She won’t do therapy, believes she can handle everything on her own, and doesn’t need people in her life.

Isadora finds a magazine article that lists 31 ways to be happy, and she sets out to scientifically disprove the theory. Along the way she’s challenged to reconsider her preconceived ideas about people. Her boss makes her work with Cal, a psychologist who’s researching the impact of social media on relationships. Cal is adorable, and patient with Isadora as she starts addressing her emotional baggage that won’t stay buried.

I loved the cast of supporting characters who valued Isadora and wanted to be her friend. I recommend The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley to contemporary fiction readers who like single point-of-view romances with women’s fiction themes and a very light faith element in the story.

Many thanks to Thomas Nelson and Net Galley for the advanced reader copy.

Thanks to Thomas Nelson Fiction, Netgalley and the author for an ARC of this book. I am leaving this unbiased review voluntarily.

The best thing about this book is the characters. They spring off the page and make their way into your life in such a personal way. Isadora is a wonderful character, deeply layered and complex but also hilariously funny, without meaning to be.

I loved loved loved all the others. Marty, of course, being my absolute favourite. I giggled my way through Isadora's awkward interactions in the first half of the book and had tears streaming down my cheeks 3/4 of the way through, It pulled all my heartstrings and now I just want to hang out with these people every day.

Happiness is a choice - a wonderful sentiment and very true. When you need an uplift, when you want to appreciate what you have and who you are, then read this book.

I love the cover of this book because the girl looks like me. So immediately, I knew I wanted to read this book. I was not disappointed. The story itself was easy to follow and easy to read. Readers will fall in love with Isadora just like I did. I will definitely be recommending my library purchase this book for circulation!

I have read other books by Courtney Walsh that I greatly enjoyed but, to me, The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley started out very slowly. I am not a fan of comedy. About half way through the book, it became a fascinating story of opening up yourself to others. You have to be a friend to make a friend. Readers who enjoy rom-com will love The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley! Everyone can benefit from reading this book about how to be a friend. I received a complimentary e-book through NetGalley. This is my honest opinion.

I absolutely adored this book! Courtney Walsh did such a wonderful job with each of the characters- their personalities, struggles, victories....it was all so well done and felt very real. I adored Isadora and Cal was totally swoon worthy. I am secretly hoping the author will write a follow-up story. I would love to see how Isadora and Cal's relationship unfolds as well as how her friendships with Marty, Darby, and Delilah grow even stronger. This book was like a giant hug and will definitely be one of my top books of the year! Job well done, Courtney Walsh!

Thank you kindly to Thomas Nelson Publishers, the author, and Net Galley for the complimentary copy of this book that I received. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I have heard many great things about this author so I jumped at the chance to read an ARC of Isadora! This book surprised me in the best ways! Isadora was one of the most relatable main characters ever. Seriously- I'm currently in grad school focusing on a research paper related to intrapersonal questions and have major social anxiety (I've improved, but it used to be a lot worse).I haven't read many fiction stories where the protagonist is in graduate school so that was fun.

I loved Isadora's journey of finding the joy in the world and the people around her. I loved the cast of characters, especially Marty and Delilah. The romance could have been developed a bit more (maybe show Cal with a bit more character besides being a GOOD guy with a hard past). Overall, a very introspectional story about forgiveness to others and yourself and taking brave steps into the world.

This was the second most wholesome, uplifting book I have read all year and somehow I read it RIGHT after I read the first one. This book had it all- self-discovery, coming out of one's shell, romance, growing up, realizing your worth. I genuinely enjoyed this book and found myself almost crying at a few parts.

Isadora Bentley is a researcher that has been HURT by almost everyone she has let into her life. Her ex boyfriend/research partner used her and then left her. She has never been supported by her family. She has always felt like an outsider. Until one day, she picks up a magazine with an article claiming to bring you happiness with these 31 steps. She scoffs at the article and decides to embark on the journey of the steps ONLY to prove the article wrong. Not because she isn't happy or anything. At the same time, her boss assigns her a new project that involves a very handsome psychologist named Dr. Cal Baxter.

As Isadora pushes herself to complete step after step from the article she finds herself with not one new friend, not two new friends, but three new friends including a boyfriend and a found family. She still finds herself wanting to hide and not be hurt by the people that are around her, but they help her see what she is worth and that sometimes you have to jump to fall.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it! It was a very light summer read that couldn't not make you smile if you tried. I found myself laughing out loud at her inner voice that was David Attenboroughesk. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Sweet, precious Isadora! I absolutely loved our heroine—she was trusting, sassy, lonely, and doubted her own worth so much. I feel like there have been times in my life where I too was an Isadora. Her impromptu study on happiness trying to prove a tabloid article wrong turned her life inside out, and she gathered a motley crew of friends—Cal, Marty, Darby, Delilah, and the rest— who became family. I’m so glad that she didn’t have perfect parents or a happy childhood, not because it’s desirable, but because it’s honest. This entire book was an absolute delight, and I’m so glad I had the privilege to read it! I was given an advanced copy of this book from the publisher and was under no obligation to provide a positive review.

Isadora is beyond lovely and real. Her character mirrors so many "nerdy" girls who never fit in and continue to struggle with poor self image and self love. I cannot say enough wonderful things about the rawness, honesty, and beauty built into this lead female. Isadora is a role model who is striving to find happiness in her own life. While she starts out alone at the beginning, she finds the most delightful and fulfilling friendships along the way. Her journey to discovering happiness is both heart-wrenching and wonderful. I love you Isadora, as will all the other bookish friends you have yet to meet.

The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley is a perfectly sweet, endearing, and feel-good story about a researcher who stumbles upon an article that lists 31 steps to happiness. She makes it her mission to prove it wrong, discovering the true secret to happiness along the way. It's squeaky-clean as far as the romance aspects. I loved the characters, especially Marty and Delilah. Lovely life lessons and an easy, fun read.

What a lovely statement on the human condition and how much we need each other.

Isadora is alone & (whether she wants to admit it or not) lonely. She loves her job as a university researcher, and she is killer smart, but she has no idea how to connect to those around her. On her thirtieth birthday, amid a junk food binge for the ages, she discovers an article about 31 ways to be happier. A researcher at heart, she embarks to debunk the good Dr’s claims. The next day, she is partnered with a handsome professor for a project, and meets a cast of characters that will challenge everything about the way Isadora has been living her life.

The characters in this book are the stars! I fell immediately in love with Marty, Darby & Delilah! Probably my favorite relationship in the whole story was that between Isadora and Darby. We all need people who truly see us, and won’t let us get away with anything.

Watching Isadora figure out how to let people in was so cathartic. There were definitely times when I got frustrated with her and wanted her to just open her eyes to what was in front of her. This made her all the more human.

I’ve read several of this author’s works, and this one felt different and much more complex. It felt like she put much more of herself here, and the results were really beautiful.

The way that Isadora thinks and dialogues struck a chord with me, as well. I have conversations in my head all the time, and it was comical to see that part of myself reflected on the page.

If I had to offer a critique, it would be that Isadora kind of has a turn-around a little too easily. I think this could be explained by the excellent people she stumbles upon in her world, but that’s definitely suspended reality for most of us.

This book registers a squeaky-clean zero on the FOTMS scale.

Four out of five stars for me, and a definite contender for one of my favorite reads of 2023 so far. 🙂🙂🙂🙂

Thank you to NetGalley and this publisher for allowing me to read this title in exchange for an honest review.

To me this book started out a little slower. It took me a few chapters to get into the story but once I did- I couldn't put it down. This was a love story but it was also so much more. I feel like everyone can relate to Isadora on some level. I think what I loved most about this book was that the author didn't have a man "save" Isadora - she did it herself.

I was given an Advanced Reader Copy by NetGalley for an honest review.

Courtney Walsh’s books never disappoint! This book is funny, emotional, challenging, and entertaining with lovable characters. It is one of those books you sit down and devour and hate to see it end.

As I traveled with Isadora Bentley on her journey to discredit the 31 ways to happiness, I found myself reflecting on my own life. This book challenged me to reflect and recognize some of the ways I hinder my own happiness just as Isadora did. This book will be one that stays with me for a long time.

Do yourself a favor and read this book! It will not only entertain you, but might also leave you changed as it did me.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are completely my own.

Ute story! Isadora is a researcher and has isolated herself after a bad breakup. She comes across a story in a magazine about ways to be happy and sets out to prove it wrong. As she begins this process she also starts research for a professor. They begin to get to know each other and isadora also begins to unknowingly open herself up. She starts to make friends and make an effort with family. In her process to disprove the happiness theory she starts to find her own

So cute. Loved this new story from Courtney Walsh! The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley is the perfect read to stash into your beach or pool bag this summer!

The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley by Courtney Walsh

This book was such a great read. Not only was the main character relatable, she was also inspiring. The characters were so well written and I loved every minute of this book. I highly recommend this as a sweet romance. Choose happiness and give this book a read!

#TheHappyLifeofIsadoraBentley #NetGalley

I loved this book so much! It was so real, well written and I found Isadora so relatable. All the characters were likable and the story was so heartwarming. It reminded me of Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine and A Man Called Ove. Two of my favorite books. Isadora just turned 30, she’s a university researcher and a loner. She has trust issues, prefers to be alone, and follows the rules. But on her thirtieth birthday that changes. I love how she decided to do stuff out of her comfort zone, and pushed all of her boundaries. I loved the themes of found family, friendship, love, relationships. This was a fantastic read and definitely one of my favorites this year!

When Isadora Bentley was ten, she prayed for a friend. Now that she is 30 she has given up. People just don't get her and her past is littered with hurts and disappointment. While shopping for birthday treats she notices an article listing 31 steps to happiness. She sets out to try the steps herself and prove the author wrong. #1 is Smile more. #3 is Exercise regularly. One of my favorites advises eating chocolate (in moderation). As Isadora tries each new step more people come alongside to try them with her. I loved the varied supporting characters like 70-year-old Marty and 10-year-old Delilah. As Isadora works through the list themes like friendship and forgiveness are explored. A feel good book that just might help you be happier too.

This was a cute book. It was engaging and easy to read. However, it felt a little juvenile for the age of the main character.

This book- I loved it!! I kept turning to my husband during each of my reading sessions with a grin on my face and an exclamation of how much I love this book. Some of my favorite parts were:

- Isadora’s journey to accept and love herself
- the Fire scene
- the punch
- her sweet friendship with Marty and Delilah
- Finding her people.

When I need a pick me up I’ll definitely be rereading this one! Thank you to NetGalley for the advance copy. All opinions are my own.