Kristy Woodson Harvey is one of my FAVORITE authors that is guaranteed to take me through the emotional ringer. Thank you @gallerybooks and @libro.fm for my early listening copy.

Imagine walking into the boardroom of the company you’ve help bring to an immensely successful level, only to find out your ex-boyfriend, who works for the same company, had made some VERY poor choices. Keaton needs a new start after this cringy and angering scene (I seriously wanted to champion for Keaton!!). Keaton heads to Beaufort, NC (a beautiful nautical seaside town that I love!) to help unearth some mysteries for her family, read the family home for sale, and find her passion again.

I loved the neighborly friends Keaton meets here, I love that she journeys through self-discovery. I couldn’t stop reading about her family as she learns more and more about her grandmother and grandfather she never met- Townsend and Becks St. James.

I loved that the novel follows dual POV for Keaton and Becks, and I loved them equally (which I usually find I like one better than the other, but not with this one!).

Be warned, there are some tender moments in the novel that will truly pull at your heartstrings, so if you are looking for that perfect beach novel that has a little romance, familial drama, growth and self-discovery, along with a wrapped up ending, then you need to add this to your list! It publishes June 25th, so get your beach bag ready.

Read this if you like:
•multigenerational stories
•small town
•single dad
•learning about family secrets

Keaton needs a fresh start and is tasked with getting her grandparents house to sell (which hasn’t been touched in 50 years). She finds love along the way and family secrets.

Thank you Gallery for eARC!

I loved this book from cover to cover. It is a dual storyline, completely easy to follow, about two generations of a family.
Keaton finds herself in a crossroad of her life. Her mom and uncle task her with going to NC to clean out and sell their parents' home, which has been vacant for 50 years. While there, Keaton discovers the beautiful story of her grandparents love, and solves the mystery of how and why they died.
The story was beautifully written, with characters I grew to love and root for. This book will make you look at life and appreciate what you have.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you so much to Gallery Books for the ARC!

Overall, I really enjoyed this one. While the title is "A HAPPIER LIFE" I suggest an alternate title could be "A SADDER LIFE" because I feel a little broken by how everything played out.

So much of what I enjoyed about this one was the element of surprise, so my review will need to be vague to allow for other reads to experience that as well. Suffice it to say, I felt the widest range of emotions during this book which is usually a testament to a great story.

The story alternated between present day (where Keaton moves into her grandparent's home full of hidden secrets) and past tense (1976 where we congruently see her grandparent's past lives played out). I loved the past timelines chapters the most and found her grandmother "Becks" to be a hugely unique and interesting character. All of the side characters in the past were also intriguing to me and I couldn't wait to uncover the answers to the mystery aspect!

The ending really surprised me and while I'm still not sure how I personally feel about it, I definitely didn't see it coming at all!

I loved this genre blend of women's fiction/mystery and think this will be a huge hit this summer!

KWH is the queen of the atmospheric summer read that has the perfect balance of substance and lightheartedness.

Reasons to read this book
-It is a multi-generational tale with elements of suspense and intrigue
-The dual timeline: I adored both plots and perspectives equally!
-The North Carolina setting: she knows NC inside and out and it shows
-Single dad trope (a favorite!)
-Themes of family, strength among women, and making hard decisions
-The importance of understanding one's past in order to live in the present
-The rich characters (KWH's specialty is creating a well-developed world full of lovable characters)
-Salt, the best dog ever!

A Happier Life was full of southern charm and hospitality. Beginning with the prologue, which is written from the house’s point of view, the strong sense of place, and the importance of friends and family, you’ll soon realize this is a book is truly love story. I enjoyed the dual timeline telling the story of Keaton and the grandparents she never knew. I liked seeing Keaton unravel the mystery of her grandparent’s lives through their journals, letters, recipes and their 1970’s time capsule of a house.

Content warning: This book does tackle some tough topics: Cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, death of parents, and suicide.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Publishing for this eARC in return for an honest review.

Name of Book: A Happier Life
Author: Kristy Woodson Harvey
Genre: Chick Lit/ Historical Fiction
Publisher: Gallery Books
Pub Date: June 25, 2024
My Rating: 4.4
Pages: 467


Story is told in dual timelines- Present Day and Then: 1970- multiple POVs. In fact, the prologue is told from the POV of the House on Sunset Lane. The house is proud of its heritage – built in 1769 by the Saint James family who the house refers to as “My family”. There were many wonderful memories and the house wished they were return. But has been empty since 1976 when Rebecca and Townsend unexpectedly died in a tragic car accident.

Keaton Smith headed to NYC after graduating from the University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill. She did a summer internship and knew she would accept a job there after graduation. She and her boss Allison got along great. Keaton was in a great relationship. However now after twelve years working for Allison she has lost her job as well as her boyfriend. I
When her mother needs someone to put her childhood home on the market—the home that Keaton didn’t know existed until now! She jumps at the chance of a new start and is heading back to North Carolina with ‘Salt’ her Goldendoodle.

Story kept me interested. I don’t want to say much about it only that you too will enjoy it!

Kristy Harvey tells us that this story is personal it was Inspired by the unusual deaths of my great aunt and uncle in the 1970s (deaths that, in my mind, were never quite “solved”) and an abandoned house that I was one of the first people to enter after it had been closed up for fifty years, this novel is the culmination of two events that have occupied my imagination for decades. Story is set in the beautiful city of Beaufort, NC where Kristy lives!!

Additionally I love her ‘Acknowledgement= a story in is self!!

Want to thank NetGalley and Gallery Books for this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for June 25, 2024.

I absolutely jumped for joy when I was gifted this book! KWH is one of my favorites! This small town romance had it all! Two romances, dual timelines, a mystery, a tiny thriller feel with one character, and it elicited an ugly cry similar to that I felt while reading The Notebook! Do yourself a favor and get this book now! PS... If you like audiobooks, the narrators are great! Cassandra Campbell is one of my favorites!

I loved this book! It was the perfect read about family, love, loss and a little mystery thrown in. I loved the two timelines unfolding and how everything wrapped up in the end. I loved the grandparents love story and how Keaton used the life lessons left behind in her own journey. Of course Salt was a precious addition too! It has me wanting to drop everything and head to Beaufort!

Last summer I read The Summer of Songbirds by Harvey and it was not my favorite book of hers so I was very curious on what I'd think of this book and I loved it!!

Having been to Beaufort, I loved that it took place somewhere where I've been multiple times. I absolutely loved the dual timelines, the journal entries, the letters, the mystery of it all. I thought it was so fun and I really loved the characters.

This book is so perfect for the beach. I'm going to be recommending it to everyone this summer to take on vacation!

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book!

A Happier Life by Kristy Woodson Harvey is a dual timeline, multigeneration family story and I was absolutely hooked from the prologue that was from the point of view from the house, which is one of the central characters in this amazing book!!
A Happier Life introduces us to Becks and Townsend and her parents who are against their relationship from the start. But their love and commitment prevail because their children and grandchildren enter the story in a unique way that shows us that love, determination and devotion really do have a place.
What I loved about this story is 'the notebook' that is found and all the beautiful secrets. I'll not give any spoilers but this was such a creative piece to bind the stories of the generations. Beaufort ( and Beaufort Historic) became the essential piece and we can't forget about the house! I definitely want to learn more about the Homes Tour & More!!
You will absolutely fall in love with all the character in this story, including Salt!! I think Keaton became my favorite (because she adores Anderson from the beginning) ... it's a must read!
Can I please give this book 10 starts!!!
Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books Publishing for an advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.

I ADORED this book. I laughed and cried and got extremely attached to the characters. I am looking for a Becks and Townsend love story digging deeper into their world. And a continuance for Keaton. Please write more - this was beautifully written and the entire books was so easy to picture. It had me wanting to book a trip to Beaufort immediately.

In the present day, Keaton has lost her job, her boyfriend, and her house on one very bad day. She returns home reluctantly and is shocked when her mother tells her someone needs to put her childhood home on the market in North Carolina. Keaton did not know the house was still in the family.

When Keaton arrives at the house, it is a time capsule from the day her grandparents died in a car accident. With so many questions about why her mother and uncle never went back to the house, Keaton finds herself as she starts to find answers as well.

Why I love it: This is a story that is told in a dual timeline in both the present and from Becks’s point of view. Harvey weaves a wonderful story of life, love, and family in this book. I could not put it down. #gifted

Wow~ I loved this book so much! Family, drama and love! I felt like I could really picture the house and emotions of the characters. I would love to read more by Kristy Woodson Harvey.

As a native of Carteret County, I have always loved the Peachtree Bluff series that is reminiscent of our community. However, hearing landmarks and restaurants name-dropped throughout this story was such a fun surprise that connected me even more deeply to this special story. Kristy's books are always such fun beach reads for me, but they're more than just your typical summer reading--this book was sweet, and it made me laugh--but it also brought tears to my eyes, and that is what makes a master storyteller--experiencing the full range of human emotions through a story. This book connects you to some very special characters, but it also connects readers to our community in a very special way. If you are a fan of Elin Hilderbrand and the way she writes her books as a love letter to Nantucket, you'll find a similar experience with this book.

My friend Kristy has delivered another beautifully written story that gets ALL. THE. STARS! 🌟👏🏽

Keaton is desperate for a fresh start so when her mother asks for help listing her childhood home in Beaufort, North Carolina, Keaton happily accepts the task. Her grandparents died tragically in a car accident so she never had a chance to know them…until now. Shockingly, the house is exactly how they left it on the fateful night they died in the 70s. She comes across their notes and journals, making her question everything she thought she knew about her family…including HOW they really died.

What I loved:
- Family secrets
- Multigenerational story
- Mysterious disappearance or murder
- Abandoned house
- Vivid town of Beaufort
- Guide to hosting
- Dual timelines + POVs (present-Keaton, past-Becks)

Becks and Townsend have a love that is so timeless and rare. Their characters will live on in my heart for years to come. Becks brought back nostalgic memories of my grandmother. 🫶🏽

I was so immersed in this story and LOVED every minute of reading it!

This is my favorite Kristy Woodson Harvey novel thus far!

A happier life has past/present storylines surrounding the Saint James family in Beaufort, North Carolina. In the present Keaton Smith, Becks Saint James' granddaughter, finds herself back in her grandparents historical house trying to clean it up to sell it. Her grandparents died in a mysterious car crash where they never could find their bodies. This leads Keaton on a mission to learn more about her grandparents history and on a hunt to find out what really happened. Keaton also has a potential love interest in her neighbor across the street. The stories wind together perfectly and the ending was not predictable (in a good way!).

I would recommend this book to any of my friends for a great summer read.

Kristy Woodson Harvey always provides a delightful story. In typical KWH fashion, this one includes a family beach house, a loving family, and a group of characters one would love to hang out with all summer. I read it in one sitting, and enjoyed every minute. Pick it up and put it in your beach bag now.

I will read anything Kristy Woodson Harvey writes! I loved this generational story which follows Keaton who heads to North Carolina to take care of her grandparent's house. She never met her grandparents and her mother and uncle are very hush-hush about their parents. What Keaton discovers is a grandmother who hosted incredible dinner parties, a charming town, and the connection and love she was missing. Hard to put down, and I didn't want it to end.

Thank you, NetGalley, for an advanced copy of this novel.

Keaton's life implodes when her boyfriend and his ex-wife--Keaton's boss--announce they're having a baby. Keaton takes an offer to fix up her family's historic home in North Carolina so it can be sold. 
Keaton walks into a virtual time capsule of the past--the home looks exactly like the last day her grandparents lived there. Her grandparents were famous for their summer suppers, and her grandmother, Becks, kept a journal of everything needed for entertainment and life.
After meeting the neighbor and his son, making fast-friends with the women in town, and becoming a welcomed member of the community, Keaton is feeling torn about her future. As she uncovers secrets, she has more questions, till unraveling everything reveals what happened all of those years ago. 
Keaton has decisions to make about her own life, as she's found love, has a job offer too good to turn down, and her grandmother Beck's book might just be the key to everything she wants to make a happier life. But making it work would be the biggest boon, if she's willing to make changes out of her comfort zone. Plus, there's her scene-stealing dog, Salt.
A fantastic book perfect for your summer beach read.