A HAPPIER LIFE is likely to appeal to fans of light women's fiction. I found it to be a little cheesy, but enjoyable overall. The small town is darling, and I love how Harvey based it on where she lives. While Keaton seems immature, I liked how the people around town help her. The different timelines work well together, and I was definitely intrigued by the past storyline and the mystery of what happened to Keaton's grandparents. Readers who are looking for their next beach read may enjoy this one while others may cringe at the materialistic/superficial tone and lack of depth. That being said, Harvey presumably didn't set out to write a serious literary tome and she does what she does very well. You can tell by the upper class southern character names what she's trying to do here. In many ways, this book hearkens back to her Peachtree Bluff series, which was successful. It would be fun if she continued this with other books set in Beaufort with the same characters. Readers love a series!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-galley; all opinions are 100% my own.

I always enjoy the writing by this author. It’s different than her first books. I enjoyed the characters in this book. I really like how she writes and weaves a story.
Thanks for the advanced copy

This may be my favorite Kristy Woodson Harvey book to date. I was excited to read it because of the setting, Beaufort, NC....pronounced Bo-fort, not to be confused with Bu-fort, SC.

I am somewhat familiar with this town so as I was reading it, I could picture the setting perfectly. The town, an historic coastal town in North Carolina, is steeped in history with its beautiful old homes to its old graveyard to te yachts that come into the harbor and of course, its deeply rooted southern lifestyle.

Keaton has a good job working with her boss, Allison, and former boyfriend, Jonathan, at an "influencer website." She is very successful at what she does but is thrown for a loop early in the book which results in her quitting her job and heading to her parents' home in New York City. Instead of granting her a place to stay with their support, they offer her, or instruct her, to head to Beaufort, her mother's hometown, but one where Keaton had never been. Her task: Clean up the old family home and prepare it to sell. But how do you go to a town where you have never been to a house you did not know existed which has sat undisturbed since the 1970s?

Keaton learns so much very quickly about small town life...where everyone knows your name and your business. She is quickly "adoped" by a small group of ladies, all older than Keaton, who help her on her journey of discovery of her family but also on her personal journey in her own life. She learns of her grandparents' lives and how well-known and respected they were. She learns of the mysteries in her family and she learns, most importantly, how a proper southern lady hosts a dinner party.

In this book, Woodson Harvey weaves a very believable story shared in two timelines, which is handled well. This is not her first foray into this style of writing but I feel this one was done better than her previous historic fiction, The Wedding Veil.

The author has set the story in the town in which she lives so I am sure there are people in her town who will try to figure out on whom the various characters are set. How much fun to have people in your life on whom you can base some characters in your book. And how much fun readers will have if they visit Beaufort and try to identify spots from the story.

#KristyWoodsonHarvey #AHappierLife #NetGalley

Kristy Woodson Harvey has done it again! I couldn’t put this one down.
Keaton is a woman at a crossroads with her career and her love life when she is given an opportunity by her mother and uncle to sell their family home in a small beach town but there is a twist the home has sat untouched for years. She uncovers things about herself and her family that she never imagined.
I hope you will enjoy this book as much as I did and fall in love with Kristy Harvey Woodsons characters and small town charm.

Kristy Woodson Harvey has definitely written her best book yet! A Happier life consists of friends, family, and true love. I will be extremely surprised if this doesn't top the list of best books for 2024. I love the way the story was told and the discoveries along the way.

I cannot say enough just how much I loved A Happier Life by Kristy Woodson Harvey! I was engaged from the very beginning until the bitter end (and I didn't want it to end)!

Harvey alternated perspectives from the various characters mostly between Keaton, the present day granddaughter and her grandmother Becks (Rebecca) Saint James. The novel is a love story that spanned from the 1930's to the present day. Also entwined is the hardest parts of life---loss--and finding who we are meant to be with and the goal of pure happiness and joy.

I would classify this book as truly a work of art. There were so many pieces I loved about this book. I enjoyed the way she alternated between characters and followed this family through multiple generations. Through Harvey's descriptive writing the small town of Beaufort, North Carolina came alive, a place now, I really want to visit! Connected to that "small town" I enjoyed how Keaton was able to find live long friends (and fall in love?--no spoilers!) in this small town. Part of the small town appeal I think, was in Keatons's favor for her search of finding happiness and belonging.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book. Harvey truly hit it out of the ballpark with this one! Thank you NetGalley and Kristy Woodson Harvey for the share with me.

Kristy Woodson Harvey has such an authentic southern voice that makes you feel as though you are actually standing beside her characters, and her new book A Happier Place, was no exception! The entire community she created and the unique charcters within the town were so wonderfully crafted and reminded me of her Peachtree Bluff series, which I loved!

This is sure to be an amazing summer read that kept me guessing about what actually happened to Keaton's grandparents. At the same time, I was equally invested in Keaton's storyline in the present day. Highly recommend! And a special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion!

A Happier Life, a compelling novel by Kristy Woodsen, weaves together the stories of two women from different eras who find their lives intertwined through a shared connection to a house on Sunset Lane. Prepare to be captivated as Keaton Smith and Rebecca "Becks" Saint James embark on their respective journeys of self-discovery, love, and healing. Keaton Smith, desperate for a fresh start, travels to Beaufort, North Carolina, to sell her childhood home, a place she never knew existed. As she begins to uncover family secrets and navigate new relationships, she finds herself questioning her own identity and purpose. Meanwhile, in 1976, Becks Saint James, a renowned hostess and the heart of her community, faces a difficult decision that challenges her carefully crafted life. With its dual timeline narrative, A Happier Life explores the power of family, the bonds of friendship, and the boundless nature of love. Woodsen's vivid storytelling and heartfelt characters draw readers into the lives of Keaton and Becks, creating a rich and immersive reading experience. Keaton's journey of self-discovery is a poignant exploration of identity, loss, and the search for belonging. As she delves into the secrets of her family's past, she uncovers hidden truths that shape her present and future. The author skillfully weaves together Keaton's story with Becks's, revealing the interconnectedness of their lives and the enduring legacy of the house on Sunset Lane. Becks's struggle to maintain her carefully crafted life in the face of adversity highlights the importance of authenticity and resilience. Her journey is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the power of love to overcome obstacles. Woodsen deftly portrays the complexities of Becks's relationships and her determination to protect those she cares about, even at great personal cost. A Happier Life is an emotionally resonant novel that lingers in the heart long after the final page is turned. Woodsen's evocative writing style and her ability to create relatable characters make this a must-read for fans of heartwarming and thought-provoking fiction. Immerse yourself in the world of A Happier Life and discover the extraordinary power of love, family, and the pursuit of a happier life.

Special thanks to NetGalley for the advanced reader copy of this book. This is my second Kristy Woodson Harvey book and I loved this one almost as much as my first ('The Summer of Songbirds). I love the emotions that KWH makes you feel while reading her books; as you turn each page, you feel as if are living in the moment with her characters. A Happier life is a story through generations that teaches you about love, the ups and downs of life and that its ok to open your heart and get a fresh start.

What an awesome read! I loved reading about Becks and Townsend’s love and story and how it carried over to her children and grandchildren. The true meaning of family is a thread that is throughout the book. I didn’t want to put this down as I wanted to absorb every single word! Excellent read, highly recommend!

That's it! I'm moving to Beaufort. A Happier Life made me fall in love with this town. I learned so much from this book. This book is what I like in a book-a perfect blend of mystery and romance with well-developed, likeable characters. I could really see this being the start of a series as it left me wanting more!

Thanks to NetGalley and Gallery Books for this ARC.

Such a fan of this author!
Enjoyed it all--the setting, the characters, the relationships ... and of course the message.
Definitely a happy read!

With thanks to NetGalley & Gallery Books for this e-ARC!

This book was one of my favorite Harvey book yet. The story reminded me of her Peachtree Bluff books, which I simply loved. I adored the characters. and am hoping that this is the beginning of a new series! I devoured this book in two days and have already recommended it to several friends. It is a wonderful blend of nostalgia, romance, and friendship! This is the perfect beach read!

This is one of the best books I have read recently. First of all, the opening scene is amazing! Readers will not be able to complain that this book starts slow or does not engage them right away. The story of Becks and Townsend in the 1970s is so intriguing and unusual, and their granddaughter Keaton’s move into the house in the present day allows for the stories of multiple generations to be explored. The town of Beaufort is evocatively described and populated by an interesting cast of characters who befriend Keaton and help her to understand the grandparents she never knew.. While there are multiple love stories in the book, I found the exploration of family relationships—parents and children, siblings, etc—to be even more compelling. In my opinion, this is Kristy Woodson Harvey’s best book yet, and I loved every page. Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book.

“𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦’𝘴 𝘢 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘐 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸,
𝘐𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘦.
𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘢 𝘮𝘦𝘦𝘵𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘬𝘺,
𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘬𝘺 𝘮𝘦𝘦𝘵𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘢.”


Excuse me while I finish ugly crying before I start this review, okay? 😭

Kristy Woodson Harvey has done it again. And again. And again. Her books are pieces of pure joy and once I pick them up, I’m unable (unwilling?) to put them down.

And I’ll say the same thing I feel like I say every time I finish one- this is her best book yet, and my new favorite.

Can we just pause first on the absolute perfection of the names in this book? Becks, Townsend, Keaton, Anderson, and Bowen - to name a few. I just picture the height of Southern classiness here.

But back to this gem of a story. We have a story of family, finding yourself, history, found family, romance, and a murder mystery wrapped into one beautiful package. Keaton, our main character, has shipped off to Beaufort, NC to prepare her family home for the market - a place she’s never been; a place where her grandparents - who died long before she was born- lived.

The rest is a story of discovering that the past isn’t always the past, and that in learning about your family, you often discover yourself. I absolutely adored the back and forth chapters between the past and present, narrated by Keaton and alternately picking passages from the journal of Townsend (her grandfather) and a guide to hosting (written by her grandmother, Becks).

This book is a cozy hug to small towns, to a simpler way of life, to appreciating what’s in your own backyard. Every single chapter was perfection. And when I got almost to the end, I was absolutely ugly crying enough that I had to get a box of tissues.

Kristy, you are magnificent and I need to explore your back catalogue of all I haven’t read. You’re forever an autobuy author for me.

Thank you to @netgalley, @kristywharvey, and @gallerybooks for this preview copy. This drops in June and you NEED to preorder it right now. You won’t be disappointed.

Wow just wow. wasn't sure I would like this book, but I loved it.. Just a really good read. I didn't want to put it down so i could sleep

In "A Happier Life," Kristy Woodson Harvey tells a captivating love story that spans time; blending past and present seamlessly. The novel explores the ups and downs of relationships, touching on love, loss, and personal growth. Harvey's writing brings the characters to life, making their journeys feel real and relatable. It goes beyond a typical romance, offering a thoughtful look at the search for happiness. With engaging storytelling and well-developed characters, "A Happier Life" is a heartfelt addition to Harvey's collection of stories, resonating with emotions and making for an enjoyable read. As a fan of KWH's previous works, I found this book to be a standout and my favorite book so far!

Many thanks to NetGalley, Gallery Books, and Kristy Woodson Harvey for sharing this gem with me!

Mary Poppins- esque introduction by the home itself. An eerie reverence from a devoted home. Reminiscent of the giving tree- a home that remembers and loves its inhabitants in a magical way. A nemesis in Allison we love to hate in an emerging relatable influencer brand. Our heroine scorned by a colleague and lover, tossed into her mother’s arms (after being side stepped by her brother). We immediately love Keaton as a part of ourselves. Keaton’s drive into a picturesque beach town is reminiscent of every coastal vacation I’ve had. The heart stopping mystery emerging slow and sultry at the mention of a special dinner party. Becks diary entries are charming and a sweet diversion of entry into her minds eye as we form the basis for our devotion to her. The slow causal romance budding between Keaton and Bowen with the duckling Anderson in tow and their loving extended family in the dames. This story captured my attention and my admiration. Another Harvey Hit!!

My favorite Kristy Harvey book yet. This was fantastic. I loved the narrator and the setting- I’m about to move to Beaufort! I enjoyed the dual timeline and really learned quite a bit. The love interest grew on me but it took time and I still haven’t really forgiven him for his entrance. I finished very quickly because I couldn’t wait to find out what happened— this book is part love story, part historical fiction, and part mystery. Highly recommend.

An absolute masterpiece with a plot twist I did not see coming! The characters are all woven together in such a special, intricate way and it was so much fun getting to read about the place I love most, Beaufort, NC. Kristy Woodson Harvey never disappoints and always delivers the most beautifully written, original, heartwarming story that will have you longing for the coast in no time!