Another moving family summer dual timeline story perfect for fans of books like The notebook. This multigenerational story focuses on a recently dumped woman who gets tasked with making the family home ready to sell and ends up falling for a single father and discovering the mystery of her grandparents' death. With great chronic illness and Alzheimer's rep, parental abandonment issues, infidelity and second chances (both romantic and familial), this was a heartfelt beach read perfect for fans of authors like Dorothea Benton Frank or Elin Hilderbrand. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review!

Perfect summer read! A dual timeline with multiple generations of family surrounding this charming, beach house where memories are made and secrets are held. Love, laughter, mothers/daughters and the magic that happens near the water all play a key role in both the unsolved mystery and the decisions Keaton and her grandmother Becks are forced to make.

I love a good Summer Southern Beach story and “A Happier Life” by New York Times bestselling author Kristy Woodson Harvey, is hitting all the marks! The story is set in the picturesque seaside town of Beaufort, North Carolina, where the historic houses have witnessed centuries of secrets. One of the most enduring mysteries is the disappearance of Rebecca and Townsend Saint James in 19761.

The narrative intertwines two timelines: the present, where Keaton Smith, the granddaughter of the missing couple, seeks a fresh start by returning to her mother’s childhood home; and the past, where we follow Rebecca “Becks” Saint James during the summer of 1976, as she grapples with challenges behind the facade of perfection.

As Keaton delves into her grandparents’ past, she becomes enchanted by their legacy of love and southern traditions. Meanwhile, Becks’ struggles and her renowned summer suppers paint a vivid picture of a woman ahead of her time. The novel explores the boundless nature of love and the idea that understanding our past can lead us to a happier life.

The book is being praised for its emotional depth and the evocative portrayal of a family’s connection through time. With a cast of endearing characters, including a charming neighbor, his precocious son, and a flock of feisty town busybodies, Harvey creates a community that readers will yearn to be a part of.

Kristy Woodson Harvey’s “A Happier Life” is a novel that celebrates the power of family, the resilience of love, and the strength found in the places we call home. It’s a heartwarming read that is setting up to be a memorable novel of this year for me.

Thank you to Gallery Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to enjoy an arc copy of A Happier Life before it releases on 6/25.

A Happier Life is a heartwarming story of old and new love. The wholesomeness of this family, its home and the community infuse the story with warmth.

Keaton finds herself homeless, jobless in the matter of a day after her boyfriends betrayal. Unbeknownst to her, the home of grand parents has sat empty since the 70's and she soon finds herself in Beaufort, SC from NYC. This time capsule might just hold the answer to "what" happened to the most the beloved people in her family.

The story alternates between present and past as the reader gains insight into the love story of Keaton's grandparents. You'll fall in love with this seaside town as you navigate the history of a home and the community that misses what the home gave them. Harvey writes southern fiction with finesse as this is a 3rd book I've read under her pen.

Thank you, Gallery Books

Thank you UpLit Reads, Gallery Books and Kristy Woodson Harvey for my #gifted copies of A Happier Life! #ahappierlife #kristywoodsonharvey

𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: 𝐀 𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐞𝐫 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: 𝐊𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐲 𝐖𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐲
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟐𝟓, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒

★★★★★

I wait all YEAR for to go on summer vacation to read a Kristy Woodson Harvey book. There is nothing better than sitting on the beach or at the pool and reading one of her books and I am happy to say that A Happier Life was nothing short of perfection! Do yourself a favor and grab a copy of this book and read it this summer! A Happier Life is a blend of women’s fiction, romance, and a bit of historical fiction. This will end up being one of my top books of the year and I plan to do a reread with the audiobook because I just loved it so much!

Keaton is ready for a new start and jumps at the opportunity to help her mother sell her childhood home in Beaufort, NC. Keaton had no clue it even existed until now, but as soon as she steps in side, she is confronted with secrets about her grandparents who died before she was born. Soon, she starts to get to know the neighbors and other members of the community, and she finds herself with more questions about her grandparents than answers. In 1976 Becks is the best party hostess in North Carolina, but she is struggling with a problem she cannot solve. As the end of the summer approaches, she has to make a decision she never wanted to make. Both Keaton and Becks are connected by challenges and chapters and are now connected by the house on Sunset Lane, which has protected secrets, hopes, and dreams for many generations.

☀️Journals
☀️Single Dad Trope
☀️Multi-Generational
☀️Journals
☀️Amazing Community
☀️Set In Small Town NC
☀️So Much Charm!

Posted on Goodreads on June 23, 2024: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/144922955?ref=nav_profile_l
**Posted on Instagram - Full Review- on or around June 25, 2024: http://www.instagram.com/nobookmark_noproblem
**Posted on Amazon on June 25, 2024
**-will post on designated date

They say when one door closes, another one opens, right? Little did Keaton know that when one door closed in NY and she was tasked with opening the door to her family's home in Beaufort, NC, she was actually opening herself up to a different world overflowing with possibilities, discoveries, and mysteries to explore.

Kristy Woodson Harvey is a master at crafting relationships amongst her characters that readers are invested in from the moment they meet each player. And she has done it again! A Happier Life is rich with emotion and I'm here for it all! One cannot help but feel as if KWH or Keaton's Grandmother, Rebecca Saint James, is there holding your hand with each turn of the page while basking in the sights, sounds, tastes and smells of Beaufort, NC - both old and updated. As the novel progressed, I genuinely felt the same emotions the characters experienced and even laughed out loud with (and sometimes at) them.

I absolutely reveled in the dual timelines. Kristy masterfully wove the mysterious, historic, last summer Rebecca "Becks" Saint James spent in Beaufort with Keaton's uncharted, current, first summer in the coastal town. While readers know there is a mystery to uncover, Twisty Kristy (yes, I wrote this new nickname in my copy ... a few times!) throws a few more curve balls in - just for fun - that kept me up, turning pages, way past my bedtime.

But, in the way that she does, Kristy beautifully, smoothly, and effortlessly (by appearance, at least) brought everything together for an ending that evoked a deep sigh of contentment and closure.

Kristy is an auto-order author for me and A Happier Life proves, yet again, just how talented she is.

Deserving of 5 x 5 stars, A Happier Life is a MUST read for your summer TBR List.

A few comments before my review:
1. After reading A Happier Life I looked into other books by Harvey and discovered I also read her The Summer of Songbirds.
2. Which lead me to check on my review: “Five rock solid chickery stars for The Summer of Songbirds.”
3. Next I started following Harvey on instagram. IDK I could follow authors (or stars/musicians) 🫣
4. I googled her hometown and setting of her novel, Beaufort NC. Added this destination to my bucket list.
With this said: Naturally I am giving Harvey’s latest book a rock solid 5 star rating. I love love Beck’s. I honestly feel sad that Keaton never got to meet her grandmother in person. This is how in-depth the characters is written.
Told in alternating chapters and dual time lines. Becks in 1976 and Keaton present day.
Everything for a perfect summer read.
Setting in Beaufort NC, single dad of super cute son, which adds chance of romance, bit of mystery with bit of history. Long time friendships extending their hands out to guide Keaton. Keaton unsure where her step in life is after discovering her live in boyfriend has reunited with his ex and she happens to be Keatons boss. So much healing needs conquered before several characters can let go and move forward.
Thank you NetGalley and thank you Gallery Books for the ARC read in exchange for my review.

A great summer read with a bit of mystery mixed in. I loved the author’s tribute to her hometown, and her personal inspiration for this story. The revelation of what happened to Keaton’s grandparents wasn’t my favorite, but I enjoyed the other parts of the ending. Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy!

In one day, Keaton’s career and romantic life in NYC begin to crumble before her eyes. When her mom calls to ask for help with a family project, many miles away from her current troubles, Keaton jumps at the chance for a change of scenery. What follows is a decades old family mystery, a town full of lovable and quirky neighbors, the gorgeousness of a southern beach town, and a handsome neighbor that just might offer a future Keaton hadn’t yet imagined.

I loved this book! The mystery element added so much depth to the story and I found myself turning pages waiting to find out the truth, right along with the characters. I was even updating my husband every time I read a little more “So I think _____ is what happened! No wait…I was wrong….”. 😅 Keaton and her brother connecting with the grandparents they never knew was a part of the mystery, but it also added heart and a real sense of family that brought the entire community together. The new love developing and the lifelong romance between the grandparents was so sweet. 🥹

I am now desperate for the grandmother, Rebecca Saint James, to be a real person who writes entertaining books and guides us all through life. 😄 There are some recipes in the book which I am definitely going to try. I loved how the author was inspired by real family events and her own hometown to craft this story. I hope we see more of these characters in future books because they were just too fun!

This is the perfect beach read. I was hooked the moment I cracked it open, completely enraptured, my butt did not leave the couch until I read the last word. No number of seagulls, screaming kids, pulse pounding music could sweep my attention away. I was glued to the words as the Saint James family's history was brought to light after being buried for forty years. I have already convinced myself that I need to move to Beaufort, NC. It sounds like my kind of town. Ocean side, neighbors who are invested in the gossip, but most importantly in you, the caring and since of community oozed from this book and I loved it!

Keaton life has suddenly turned upside down. She was dating her boss's ex-husband. But they were getting along oh so well. Until her boss dropped a bombshell and handed Keaton her notice. She lives for her work; it is her entire life. She already feels the loss. When she heads to her mother's apartment to find comfort, she is in for another surprise. Her mother and uncle need to sell the house they grew up in. The house that Keaton has never heard of before. The house that is right on the ocean. Her mom has the best idea, to send Keaton to get the house ready to sell. The outside has been kept up, but who knows what has happened inside for the last forty years. With the dangling of a commission for the sale of the house, Keaton leaps at the chance to escape NYC. What she finds is a small, idyllic town that she instantly falls in love with. A brooding neighbor next door, who has the most adorable son in the entire world, we all know what that means! Plus, there is a mystery. What happened to her grandparents on that terrible night? Were they in a car accident or is there more to the story?

I did not want this book to end. It hit me with all the feels. One instant I would be crying, the next holding back the flood of tears that were threatening. Kristy Woodson Harvey delivers with this astonishing book. What are you waiting for? You need this book in your life! Thank you to Kristy Woodson Harvey, Gallery Books, and Uplit Reads for my gifted copy of this fantastic read.

A HAPPIER LIFE is my favorite book of the summer. That may sound like a lot, being that it's only the first full day of the summer, but I LOVED this book! Many thanks to the author, Gallery Books, NetGalley, and Uplit Reads for my early copy - I can't wait for others to read this one when it publishes Tuesday 6/25 😍
I am a relative newcomer to Kristy Woodson Harvey’s writing, having only previously read The Summer of Songbirds, but I can't say enough good things about her newest book. It involves the perfect blend of historical and contemporary fiction with an underlying mystery to be uncovered as the story continues, making it the perfect book to read no matter what you're doing this summer. It would be a great beach read (which is a definite compliment!), a cozy read at home, or a book to take on vacation. While this book is KWH's love letter to Beaufort, NC, it's much more than just that. I had to pronounce the town’s name aloud - BOW-fert - every time I read it to remind myself I wasn't reading about Beaufort, SC - BEW-fert - near where my parents live. KWH paints a beautiful picture of the small town, but she also gives loving details to the characters involved and their complicated situations. I don't want to give too much away, but I highly recommend picking this one up.

One-word review: Masterful
Emojis: 😬🥹🥰
Rating: 4.5🌟s

My thoughts:
Kristy Woodsen Harvey, a master of dual timelines, once again demonstrates her storytelling prowess in her latest work, A Happier Life. The novel's masterful interweaving of past and present is a testament to her skill, and it drew me in from the first page. Both timelines are equally compelling, working in harmony to tell a story that is as much about Keaton's personal journey as it is about her mother's.

I enjoyed the small-town setting and the focus on how the community comes together for someone in need. This is true of any small town. I live in North Carolina and could feel the author's intimate knowledge of the area with every nuance and description.

I also loved how the characters' flaws are out in the open, making them a little more authentic. This carried over to the romances of Keaton's grandparents and Keaton and Bowen, the next-door neighbor, providing just enough romance that didn't take over and mask the more essential elements of the tale.

Despite the challenges they faced, Becks and Townsend's dedication and love for one another were bigger than life and unforgettable. Their story is a testament to the enduring power of love and the strength of the human spirit.

This is a cute story that had some unexpected twists and turns. The prologue is written from the house's perspective, which took me a minute to figure out. And then it has a really different, somewhat ominous tone, from the rest of the book, so then it took me a minute to adjust to Keaton's chapter. Finally, I couldn't figure out if Keaton was a girl or boy, so that took a minute. This made it challenging to really get into the story. But, once things started rolling, it was interesting. The early chapters are engaging and I was curious what was going on. I will say that I skimmed quite a bit of the. book as the pages turned. It moves very slowly, in my opinion, but I am a bit pacing obsessed. I like things to keep moving and this story takes its time. In the end, the characters all get their version of a happy ending and it's very satisfying.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the early copy of this book, all opinions are my own.

Oh my goodness this was such a delight! I have read this author before but I think this is my favorite so far! 4 stars!!!

I just loved this little story about a cozy southern town where everybody knows everyone. It was a dreamy summer escape from reality and really made me want to travel to Beaufort, SC! I loved the characters in this story: Bowen, Keaton, Harris, Becks, Townsend! I felt emotionally connected to all of them and was rooting for them all. Very The Notebook reminiscent!

Thank you to #netgalley and the publisher for this early copy of A Happier Life by Kristy Woodson Harvey. The absolutely only thing I didn’t love about this book was the title. Other than that this was a wonderful 5 star read. The story begins with narration from a house’s perspective which was wonderful. Then we meet Keaton Smith on one of her lowest days. Keaton leaves her job on NYC and heads to Beaufort, NC to close up and sale her grandparents waterfront home. And the sense of place the reader gets of Beaufort is unmatched! The novel is a mystery, a love story and a family drama all mixed up with some humor and heartbreak! 10/10 recommend adding this to your summer stack! Preferably near the top!

Seeing Kristy's acknowledgement of the story being inspired by the death of her grandparents made the mystery and of Keaton's grandparents an extra nice touch to the novel. Beaufort NC is the author's home town, and she writes the setting well, making the reader feel like they are in the setting. An additional added touch were the recipes included in the book. Alternating POVs made this multigenerational story tug at the heartstrings. A Happier Life was the perfect beach/summer/small town/mystery vibe to read this time of year.

THE HOUSE ON SUNSET LANE

A Happier Life is by far my favorite novel by Kristy Woodson Harvey! I enjoyed her characters (present and past), the setting of Beaufort, North Carolina, the plot involving both the present and 1976, the family home on Sunset Lane, and a mystery. Harvey has added a unique dynamic by surrounding her present-day characters with characters alive in 1976. It gives an extra perspective to the story. I enjoyed this story, which centers around a multigenerational family and allows readers to see the inner workings impacting it. Hopefully, the new generation will learn from the older generation's mistakes. The biggest lesson learned is that even though there was a Guide to Entertaining left for her daughter, there wasn't a Guide to Mothering left for her, which would have been much more helpful.

Gallery Books and NetGalley provided me with a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own and without influence.

Keaton Smith's life is falling apart in New York City. There's a scandal at her work involving her boyfriend who has betrayed her and she leaves it all behind to return to her grandparents' home in Beaufort, North Carolina. They are putting the house up for sale and this would be a normal situation, except for the fact that no one in her family discusses her deceased grandparents and she didn't even know this house existed. Once Keaton enters her grandparents' house she is surprised to see that it has been unchanged since 1976, which is when her grandparents went missing. The house is like stepping back in time, like a museum. Townsend and Becks, her grandparents, are presumed dead as their car was found in the creek and they were nowhere to be found. Slowly Keaton realizes there may be more to their "disappearance" than initially thought and living in their house amongst their things, she starts to get to know the grandparents she always wondered about. Harvey alternates with Townsend and Beck's point of view in 1976, which also slowly sheds light on their situation and what exactly happened to them. A Happier Life by Kristy Woodson Harvey is a family saga that is heartfelt and moving; the coastal setting of Beaufort makes this a delightful beach read.

My favorite parts of the novel were when Keaton learns more about their grandparents and then when Harvey has the narrative jump to Becks's perspective, this adds to the story even more and fills in the blanks. I will admit that Keaton's storyline did not suck me in like Beck's, as I felt the pacing was much slower. I was rooting for Keaton to find her place in Beaufort, get a better understanding of her family, and maybe even find love.

Becks loved to entertain in Beaufort and hosted incredible dinner parties in A Happier Life. Her marriage to Townsend was seemingly perfect, even if the start was rough. Harvey brought to life Beck and Townsend's story so well, so much so that I was drawn to it a bit more than Keaton's. Townsend and Becks went through so much in their life, whether it was a war separating them or dealing with horrible illnesses, I really enjoyed their story. Lastly, the setting of Beaufort, North Carolina was fantastic. Harvey is a resident there and it truly shows as she knows the town inside and out. After reading A Happier Life, I am determined to visit Beaufort, which seems like a coastal gem.

A Happier Life by Kristy Woodson Harvey isn't my favorite of her novels, but I think it's a solid beach read, especially for those who like an emotional tale about family and secrets that span generations. Let me know in the comments below if you are fan of Kristy Woodson Harvey and if A Happier Life is on your summer TBR list.

A Happier Life includes a range of emotions from pure joy to utter sadness.
It’s a living tribute to Harvey’s beloved Beaufort, NC and she lovingly described the town, events, and the people.
I loved the inspiration behind the story from the author’s life both about the house being dormant for so long and what really happened to the missing couple.
I loved that the house was a character because a house holds all the secrets of its residents and also feels sad and rejected when it’s not kept up.
When the truth is revealed about what happened it was befitting and shattering.
I kept thinking I would never have been able to wait 50 years to discover the truth. I would have been digging instantly.
Another lovely book to fill your summer days!