I loved this story so so much. The mix of past with present, a bit of mystery and love story makes for the perfect summer read.

I absolutely LOVED A Happier Life. It was giving me Peachtree Bluffs vibes which is one of my all time favorite series. Kristy Woodson Harvey's writing is pure perfection. I want to move to Beaufort and be friends with all of the characters. This is the perfect beach read! I highly recommend it!!!!

A Happier Life is going on my list of favorite books of 2024. I loved this novel so much! The setting in Beaufort, North Carolina, is so charming and vivid – you can almost feel the coastal breeze and see the breathtaking historic homes.

The story is told through a dual timeline, which I found super engaging. It kept me hooked as I pieced together the past and present. The subtle romance was perfectly done, adding just the right amount of sweetness without taking over the main story.

The characters are so compelling and well-developed. Each one has a unique story that adds depth to the narrative. The mystery element was fantastic, full of fun plot twists that kept me guessing right up until the end. Just when I thought I had it all figured out, something new would pop up and surprise me!

And let's not forget the adorable dog Salt– such a delightful addition to the story. Salt brings a lot of warmth and extra charm.

Overall, A Happier Life is a wonderfully crafted novel with a perfect blend of mystery, romance, and heartfelt moments. If you're a fan of Kristy Woodson Harvey, you’re going to love this one. Five stars for sure!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the complimentary digital copy. I'm buying a hardcover edition for my keeper shelf.

The first book I read by Harvey was The Summe of Songbirds, and I absolutely ate it up and swore I would continue reading er work! I'm so glad I did because this book was just as good - if not better! The stories and the people of the house on Sunset Lane will not be forgotten by. me! Beautiful!

One of my favorite authors is back with yet another absolutely perfect summer read! Add this to the very top of your summer reading list right now. There are long buried family secrets, a gorgeous Southern setting, a sweet burgeoning romance, an adorable kid and some great reminders about the past and how it can shape our futures in ways that aren’t always easy to see.

I loved that this was multigenerational as you hear from Keaton and Beck in alternating chapters, Keaton in present day, and her grandmother Beck in the past. As Keaton spends times in her grandparent's old house, she learns so much about herself. The parallels between her life and Beck’s were so sweet and touching. The author's personal connection to the setting is apparent and was so appreciated. I really felt like I was there and her passion for this one showed in the beautiful story. Don’t miss her acknowledgments at the end either for even more insight as to what made this book so special for her. I listened to most of this, and the audio is narrated by an ensemble that includes Cassandra Campbell, Devon Sorvari and Fred Sanders and they all gave great performances.

I enjoyed this book so much more than I expected! I’m off to add the author’s past books to my TBR list. 🥰

I absolutely adored this wonderful great Southern story. I connected to Becks and Keaton and felt all the feels. Kristin Woodson Harvey’s ability to connect the reader to her characters is spell binding. I’m so lucky having read nearly everything she has ever written. I’m hooked already on all of her future books.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC as I was thrilled to receive it. My review is my own opinion and have recommended this book to all of my southern women friends and readers.

3.75 stars
A Happier Life, by Kristy Woodson Harvey is a romance with historical elements. It has family dynamics, a bit of mystery, small town charm, quirky characters and significant life traumas and evocative events. A Happier Life is filled to the brim with a summery, atmospheric setting in small town, beachside Beaufort, North Carolina. This engaging story is sure to capture your attention.

Keaton returns to her mother and uncle’s family home years after it was abandoned, with the intention of selling it so they can finally be free of the memories associated with it and move on. Keaton soon realizes that it’s a much bigger job than expected and one she doesn’t want to rush through. Once there, she discovers family lore and the poignant histories of the grandparents she never knew.

This dual-timeline, multi-generational tale is moving, cathartic and engrossing with a lot of content woven throughout the plot. I’ve enjoyed all of Harvey’s stories and her signature Southern style, and though this story was not my favorite from the author, it was entertaining, impactful and a lovely choice for the summer, or any time of year.

🌊 A Happier Life 🌊
Thank you, Gallery Books & Uplit Reads for the gifted copy of Kristy Woodson Harvey’s new book! {partner}

Genre: Fiction
Format: 🎧
Pub Date: 6.25.2024
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆

“But that is the plight of old houses. At some point in our seemingly infinite lives, we may be forgotten. And so, we must cling to the joys and secrets forever sorted within our walls, until we are remembered again.”

When Kristy Woodson Harvey says that A Happier Life is her favorite book that she’s written, I can unquestionably see why.

There was just something so comforting about this story. I adored how the first few pages were presented to the reader, especially as someone who lives in an old home (one of the kit homes mentioned, actually). It made me have a grander appreciation for the place I’ve called home for the last eight years. As I kept reading AHL, I kept thinking about all the things these old homes have seen over the years.

And the characters! Oh, I loved them all; Keaton, Becks, Townsend, Bowen, Anderson, Salt, and the Dockhouse Dames stole my heart. We could all be so lucky to have them in our lives, and like KWH said, I don’t have my own Dockhouse Dames, but I will be searching them out because we all need a group of women to count on when things get tough.

Read if you like:
🧍🏽 Single Dad
🐕 Adorable dogs
✌🏼 Dual timeline
🗣️ Multiple POV
⛵️ Small coastal Town
🔎 A bit of mystery
🥰 Found Family

A Happier Life is a beautiful tribute to all the lives that have come before us and all that will come after. It makes for the perfect beach or pool reach for this summer!

I’m also thrilled to share that Kristy Woodson Harvey will be coming to Joseph-Beth Lexington on June 26 at 7 pm to discuss the book. If you’re local, I’d love to see you there!

A book that pulls at your heartstrings and sucks you in. My favorite character: Salt! KWH has a gift at writing a story that grabs your heart and keeps twisting all the while weaving multigenerational points of view along with values such as acceptance, reliability, and commitment. A Greta book for summer! Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

A Happier Life is the summer gem to read! What a heartwarming story. I loved the small town beachy vibes and the love stories interwoven throughout the book. The ending was perfect and a bit teary too. The must read beach/pool book to pick up!

4.5 stars rounded to 4 stars.

This was my first book by this author, and I guarantee it won't be my last. I now see why people love this author and her books. I loved that this book had elements from 3 different genres: historical fiction, romance, and even a touch of mystery. I loved the multigenerational POV's with Keaton in the present and her grandmother, Becks, in the past. Reading this book made me want to visit Beaufort, NC and see for myself all the charm that this town holds. This book is the perfect summer read, and I'm so excited to check out more books from this author.

I loved this story, Becks Saint James is so good she comes off the pages. The whole cast of supporting characters and the town of Beaufort are great too.

Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review

A Happier Life is a wonderful book to curl up with on the beach or by your favorite body of water. While I found the story predictable overall, I enjoyed the plot as readers follow Keaton to Beaufort, NC to work on cleaning out her grandparent's long deserted home after they disappeared nearly 50 years prior. Her mother and uncle are finally ready to sell but can't bring themselves to go. When she arrives, she discovered everything is left just as it was like they would be coming back.

Per usual, Kristy Woodson Harvey has put together a wonderful cast of characters that brought the story to life. I LOVED Anderson (IYKYK).

Even though I was able to guess certain aspects, I still really adored the story and the book.

Thank you Uplit Reads, Gallery Books and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

A Happier Life was not what I expected. Although, it seemed to fit Kristy Woodson Harvey's writing perfectly. It was full of romance, family & a little mystery. Trying to figure out exactly what had occurred kept me wanting to read more and more. Well done. Well done.

After an unpleasant experience at the office, Keaton desperately needs a break. She quickly accepts the opportunity to get away from NYC and travel to North Carolina, where she will put her mom’s childhood home on the market.

Coastal living in the South is very different from her hectic life in the city, but as Keaton settles in and gets to know the community where her mom grew up, she feels a sense of calm and begins to appreciate the small moments in life. While preparing to list her grandparents’ home, she learns things about them that her mom never talked about, sparking her curiosity to find out more. The more she uncovers, the more questions arise, and soon finds herself looking to her handsome neighbor for support.

A Happier Life is a captivating and thought-provoking novel that allowed me to consider possible options if faced with difficult, life-changing situations. It was easy to connect with the lovely characters in this touching and heartfelt tribute to love and what matters most!

Kristy Woodson Harvey is one of the best of the "new" generation of beach read authors. The history and family connections in this one were the best parts, and while it is bittersweet, the characters are written in such a way I fell in love with all of them. It captures its setting beautifully, and is truly one of the most "summer" books I've read yet this year.

Keaton is at a crossroads in her life, so when her mother asks her to clean out the family home in Beaufort, NC prior to listing, she agrees. Untouched since the late 1970s, Keaton begins to learn about her late grandparents after discovering her grandmother’s journal, and secrets that have been concealed for years. In 1976, Keaton’s grandmother Rebecca “Becks” St. James hosted regular dinner parties, tying people with a common thread together. As she prepares for her final dinner party of the summer, she’s forced to face her own problems, and make the biggest decision of her life.

Kristy Woodson Harvey does it again with another emotional, beautifully written novel that was actually inspired by her own family, dog {Salt!} and friends, and set in her beloved hometown of Beaufort, North Carolina. The research and time that went into this novel is evident, creating an incredible and moving story. I enjoyed the dual timeline and dual perspectives of Keaton in present day, and her grandmother, Becks, in 1976, and think both voices were strong and well-developed, equally contributing to the powerful book. The novel also has a dynamic cast of supporting characters, and is set against the beautiful Beaufort backdrop, which acts almost like a character itself! Full of hope and promise, A Happier Life is focused on family, finding yourself, and following your dreams, and I’ll highly recommend this outstanding book!

Thank you Uplit Reads for my gifted copy and including me in this book campaign, and NetGalley and Gallery Books for my gifted e-ARC!

Southern Historical Fiction at its absolute best is how I would describe this book in one sentence.

A Happier Life is a dual timeline book that tells of a life-long Beaufort, North Carolina family and the home they lived in. I love that the history of the town plays such a huge part in this story. The family is a big part of the history, and they are well respected. Everyone who enters the story plays a part and has a story to tell to enrich the family’s story.

I love that there is a mystery of what happens to the grandparents in this book. Along with all the family history that was revealed, there is a romance, an adorable neighbor boy, and so many wonderful friendships formed. The setting

This book is a great addition to my collection of KWH books and I love that I can add it to my book shelves.

A Happier Life is one of the best books I’ve read so far this year. It is a story about friends and family in a cute beach town.
Keaton heads to Beaufort, NC to help prepare her mother’s childhood home to be sold . She is shocked when she quickly finds friends that knew her grandparents and want to help her sort through their belongings.
There has always been mystery surrounding her grandparents’ disappearance but when Keaton finds their journals she starts to wonder .
Becks and Townsend ended up in Beafort early in their relationship after their families didn’t agree with them getting married. They ended up making their own family with their friends they made. Their story is so sweet as their granddaughter discovers it through their journals .
A Happier Life is an amazing book that you won’t want to put down. Thank you NetGalley and Publisher for a copy for my opinion.