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!

Keaton's grandmother and grandfather died years before she was born, but she's heard all the stories and knows that Becks and Townsend St. James were a legendary couple in Beaufort, South Carolina. Becks, especially, was the consummate hostess and entertainer. When Keaton's mother asks her to finally sell the historic family house in Beaufort, Keaton jumps at the chance for something productive to do, because she has just been dumped by her boyfriend and lost her job. She moves into the house to start getting it ready to sell -- it's a 70s time capsule, untouched since the day her grandparents died in an accident surrounded by mystery. Keaton wants to get to know her grandparents, keep their legacy alive, and find new love and a new life of her own. She does all this and more in this wonderful book, set in historic Beaufort among a great cast of characters. I look forward to recommending this title, especially for readers who enjoy Kristy Woodson Harvey's other books, as well as books by Mary Alice Monroe, Elin Hilderbrand, Mary Kay Andrews, Susan Mallery, Kristan Higgins, and Jill Shalvis.

I always love Kristy Woodson Harvey, but her latest, A Happier Life, might be my favorite. Perfect mix of mystery, likable characters and romance to make this the perfect "meatier" chic lit book. It will draw you in from the very first page until the end and leave you wanting it to never be over. Highly recommend!

Thank you to netalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

A Happier Life
By: Kristy Woodson Harvey
5💛💛💛💛💛

Harvey always deliver a heartfelt novel that gives me all the emotions filled with southern charm. I hated for this one to end.

The quote that made a huge impact in this novel is “What true love can do.”

Becks and Townsend had a happy marriage. Finding each other and going against all odds they know they were meant to be together.

Generations later their granddaughter Keaton is going back to her grandparents home to get it ready to sell. The house in the quaint town of Beaufort, NC and has been empty for decades and it’s a far cry from where she lives.

Keaton needs this fresh start! She did not know much about her grandparents so going back to their home virtually untouched she will find clues to her past.

I love how the chapters are broken up by a journal Becks has kept that add to the charm of this novel. Fall in love with this family while they heal from the past and bond over what they have lost.

The author notes are a MUST read for all of us including our fellow Friends and Fiction friends.

Make sure you have hours to read this one because you start you won’t want to finish!

Thank you Gallery Books for this advanced copy available June 25, 2024.
#ahappierlife, #kristywoodsonharvey, #friendsansfiction, #gallerybooks, #netgalley, #bookreview, #booksconnectus, #bookstagram, #stamperlady50

\ always count down until I can read the next KWH book and ran to read A Happier Life the second I got my hands on it.
Synopsis: After a work disaster, Keaton is in need of a fresh start. She leaves NYC behind and ends up in Beaufort, North Carolina to help put her late grandparent's house on the market.
In the past, we learn about Keaton's grandmother Becks from her POV and the years leading up to her and her husband's deaths.
What I loved:
- I always love multigenerational stories and the way KWH weaved together Keaton and Beck's stories was perfect
-KWH did a great job describing the small NC town, making me feel like I was part of the historic community
-The blend of women's fiction and romance with a tiny bit of history
-The single dad trope with Keaton's love interest and his amazing kid!!
-All the townspeople and how they went out of their way to help Keaton while she was putting the house on the market

A Happier Life, by Kristy Woodson Harvey, is filled with great characters who will have you engaged within the first chapter. A mystery, peppered with romance, and a great storyline make this a quick read. And, it's set in the coastal town of Beaufort, N.C.!!! Thanks, NetGalley and the publisher, for providing me with the ARC ebook I read and reviewed. All opinions are my own.

This book was a dream. The characters drew me in from the very first chapter! My only wish is that a series will follow! I need more of these characters! I also am now planning a trip to Beaufort because it just feels like a dream. Kristy never disappoints!!

This is a beautifully written love story. You will take on the emotions of the protagonists as you follow their life through seperate timelines.
The story has it all: love, life challenges, secrets, discovery, finding where you belong, death. It is worth the read.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC of this novel. This review is my own and no compensation was received.