I loved this book.. It was sweet, funny and downright inspiring. I really enjoyed watching Isadora grow throughout her journey. But I think the cast of characters was what I enjoyed the most, and will miss the most after reading this wonderful book. Definitely recommend and will be looking for more by this author.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thanks so much to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for the ARC.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Oh my goodness this was absolutely amazing!! Funny, raw, emotional and heartfelt - The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley was a phenomenal read.
From being drawn in immediately with Isadora’a inner monologue and Doctor Who references to loving every single character on the page this book had me hooked!
Throughout the story we follow Isadora at her job as a University Researcher as she sets out to disprove a magazine article (that she bought at the grocery checkout counter) that details “Thirty-One Ways to Be Happy”. Her research takes her on a journey, forcing her out of her comfort zone and connecting her with the world and people around her.
Full of self discovery, friendship, a whole lot of post-it’s, empowerment and love - The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley by Courtney Walsh Is coming to a shelf near you June 13, 2023!



Thank you to NetGalley and NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

After reading the blurb, I thought “This book sounds like me!” I was hooked on the story from the very first page & ended up reading the entire thing in one sitting because I was so invested!

Isadora is quirky, socially awkward, a hardcore introvert, and oh so relatable! Perhaps not in all her mannerisms & behaviours, but definitely in her mental dialogue, core fears, and her journey. Plus, her romance with Cal is absolutely adorable!

Cal is simply wonderful! He’s the opposite of Isadora & compliments her perfectly. He gently encourages her to get out of her comfort zone & defends her. I love how he interacts with his family & how his family welcomes Isadora.

And then there is the found family angle! This made me so happy as it’s one of my favourite tropes, and I love how it played out! Precious Marty—his interactions with Isadora & his sweet memories of his wife are beautiful. Bubbly Darby—she is definitely the sunshine to Isadora’s rain cloud & their unexpected friendship is so fun. And dear Delilah—this girl is truly a 70-year-old woman in a 10-year-old’s body & the bond between her & Isadora absolutely melted my heart.

In addition to the fantastic characters, this book’s themes surprised me in the best of ways & reduced me to tears more than once. Because in so much of Isadora’s (& Delilah’s) story, I saw mine. Isadora has to discover that she actually doesn’t hate people but instead she just hasn’t met the right people who accept & love her for who she is without trying to force her to be who/what they think she should be. And that just because she’s different doesn’t mean there’s something wrong with her. And how she views the past & those who have hurt her affects her present and her future.

I can’t explain how timely this book’s appearance in my life is, which is why it effected me so much. Do I expect others to cry over it? Probably not. But it was a gut punch for me, highlighting things I’m wrestling with & learning in my own life.

This book completely captured my heart & is definitely one of my top reads of the year!! 😭💛


Content: kissing; mentions of cheating (not the main characters)


*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.

Courtney Walsh’s upcoming book, The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley, is a real laugh out loud romantic comedy sure to entertain and delight!!! 5 fantastic stars!

Romantic comedies can be tricky, and some are borderline silly for my tastes, but such is not the case with this amazingly well done adventure into the life of Isadora Bentley. Her innermost thoughts are lived out on the page and introverts or others who have ever felt like “odd man out” in life will see the effect it has on her and her attempts to change.

Isadora's professional and personal relationship with Professor Cal Baxter was adorable and hilarious at the same time. His patience and understanding with her exploits was pure charm. Neighbors Darby and especially Delilah add so much personality to the story they could each have books of their own. The story builds and strengthens as it moves forward and I couldn't have enjoyed it more!

There are so many wonderful quotes in this book, a few favorites,
"I don't have any desire to clip my return address tag onto someone else's baggage."
"CHOOSE to be happy." Then get out of your own way.

The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley was the most fun and enjoyable book I've read in a long time. I'd love to see Courtney Walsh continue writing in this genre. I appreciate Thomas Nelson, via NetGalley, making a copy of this refreshing and witty book available for review. All thoughts and opinions are my very own.

This book! *chef's kiss* I do not have enough words to describe how much I loved this book!!! I laughed and I cried. Isadora was just such a wonderful heroine and the entire cast of characters were a delight.

THLoIB was my first book by Courtney Walsh and it's not going to be my last. I will be purchasing this book. As an aside, I just bought and read My Phony Valentine which was also a five star read.

One comment I wanted to make is I saw in the description that this is billed as "contemporary Christian romance" but I think this book would appeal to anyone who loves a great story regardless of their faith.

Wonderful romance. No sex.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you, Thomas Nelson!

A fantastic read from Courtney Walsh! Isodora is a researcher and does her best work alone, diving deep into data. However, one day she decides to conduct her own research project based on the bold claim of a magazine article: “31 Ways to be Happy.” The biggest question.. is what will be Isadora’s findings at the end of the experiment?

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. I loved how this book read and I thoroughly enjoyed the stream of consciousness writing style. It was like I was a fly on the wall of Isadora’s clever and hilarious thought process. Watching her grow over the course of the book was a gift!

This was a perfect book! I loved every page of it. It was s9 good. I think it needs to be on everyone's book shelf.
I just reviewed The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley by Courtney Walsh. #TheHappyLifeofIsadoraBentley #NetGalley
[NetGalley URL]

I've heard such great things about this author and was so excited to be able to read her new title! After reading the synopsis of this story, I was sold! I could see myself so clearly in Isadora and loved getting to read her love story. Cal was the perfect book boyfriend and I loved their love. This has me so excited to read more from Courtney Walsh!

This book had me laughing out loud at various spots. Isadora is quite a character and has shut herself off from everyone until she tries an experiment. Her people that came alongside of her are my favorites--Marty, Cal, Darby and Delilah.

Thanks so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc. The opinions are my own.

I have read books by Courtney Walsh for many years, however, this time she really hit it out of the park. Just reading the first few pages, I was totally immersed in the life of Isadora Bentley. It begins on her 30th birthday at the grocery store buying a cart full of junk food to celebrate her birthday, alone. Isadora has perfected the art of avoiding people and being alone. Whether or not you have ever experienced any of the things Isadora has, I think this book will grab your heart right from the beginning.
While standing in line to pay for her purchases, a tabloid article of “31 Ways to Be Happy (Today!)” catches her attention. She thinks there might be something there she never considered so she buys the magazine. Upon reading the article, Isadora is on a mission to prove none of the suggestions work. To prove her position, she is determined to try them all.
Isadora works in the world of academia as a researcher – a brilliant, gifted researcher. After assisting a professor get published by mostly writing his entire article and him taking full credit for it, the personal consequences to Isadora went much farther than having her name left off the manuscript, it also left her with a broken heart. After such a dreadful experience for her personally, her boss assigns another research project to her assisting another profession who is writing a book. If she wants to keep her job, she has no choice but to accept the assignment.
This is a fascinating story that I could not put down. I read is straight through in one day. As Isadora sets out to disprove how to be happy, she ends up making unexpected friends including a 70 year old man who is a widower that she eats lunch with each day, neighbors she had skillfully avoided, now feel like family and what a surprise that the professor she is partnering with to help with his research offers to help her research the 31 ways to be happy. As each item is checked off, Isadora’s life changes.
Although the last page has been turned, this story will stay with me for a while.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

In the same vein as The Rosie Project and Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, this has a quirky heroine who sees the world slightly differently from many other people. Lonely and frustrated by her life , Isadora spends her 30th birthday debating the merits of junk food while stuffing her face with them. But an article (31 ways to become happier) in a supermarket magazine may well save her from herself. She decides to disprove the author by doing those 31 steps and showing that she was no happier at the end than she was to begin with. What she doesn’t anticipate is meeting people along the way that will drag the happiness out of her. They can see what she cannot. She isn’t broken and unlovable at all.
A treat of a book, Isadora is a wonderful character and the friends she picks up on her journey are joyous, endearing and the sort of people we all hope to meet in our life.
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.

This is a gem of a book. If you loved Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine and/or The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett, you will love the quirky brainiac and The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley. A wonderful cast of characters comes together to make this book shine. (I am shocked that there aren't more reviews for this book.)

Isadora isn't happy with her life and happens to see an article about 31 things to do for a happy life, so she sets out to prove/disprove the article. Step 1 of smiling is a challenge, but that leads to her first friendship.

You just never know what is going to come out of Isadora's mouth, there isn't really a filter.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read the advance review copy in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley for (once again) introducing me to a "new-to-me" author, Courtney Walsh. Thank you to Courtney Walsh and Thomas Nelson-Fiction (publisher) for approving my advance read request. Publication date is June 13, 2023.

ARC BOOK REVIEW 🖤

The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley by Courtney Walsh
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“The good thing is that’s part of life, right? Unfortunately, hearts break. Fortunately, they mend.”

- found family
- Coming of age
- Women’s fiction
- Top notch chemistry in a friends to lovers type of way.

Isadora, a professional researcher, sees an article in a magazine which claims “31 steps to happiness”. Isadora - being the researcher that she is- goes on a journey to disprove the theory but as she completes each step, she finds herself feeling lighter and lighter. And also more confused than ever. Growth never comes without pain, and Isadora has so much to learn.

My thoughts:

This book is golden. The characters are so lovable and relatable - even in their flaws. I found myself relating to Isadora in so many ways - in many ways that I’m not proud of, per se.

This book needs to become a movie, because the premise is just that good. It was so well done. Courtney Walsh pulls you into Isadora’s journey and almost pushes you, the reader, onto a journey yourself. It was touching, hilarious, adorable, and heartwarming. I came away with so much joy and an even deeper understanding of human connection. This one feels very women’s fiction/coming-of-age, but the romance is SO there. It honestly has everything a book should have. It’s rare that I read a book and there’s absolutely nothing I would adjust or change- but this one hits that standard and beyond.

Just add it to the TBR immediately. Releases June 13.

Thank you so much to Courtney Walsh, Thomas Nelson Fiction, and NetGalley for providing me with this ARC. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Isadora Bentley is a researcher who has always dealt with some challenges in life. Always a quiet child, introvert girl, a lonely childhood with a few friends and a lot of desilusions in the adult life. However, on her 30th birthday, She finds and article suggesting 31 ways of being happy, and She begins a scientifc project journey, along and with the help of a charming and sweet Professor trough some path innerself as walks the step by step of How to live a happier life.

I knew I would love this book juts reading the title! It was an incredible journey between the pages of this story, and I could relate with some of the feelings of Isadora and her pathway to a better and free life, being true to herself, and to the ones She love. There's a lot of learnings and lessons in this narrative that was delicate, clear, honest and romantic as well. I love Cal and his behavior and also the steady personality, that made me fall in love with him just like Izzy.

The main message is You are the only one who choose everyday to be happy, let go of the past and see to the future day by day with a little hope and joy, having faith that it'll be better than what has passed. With no pressure or hustle, and counting with the support of the people Wh You love and love You back, You will get to where You need, and want to be.
.
5 stars and all love <3

Thank you so much Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for an advance read in exchange for this review.

Isadora is alone. She works as a researcher at a university, and she keeps to herself. She avoids people. On her 30th birthday, she decides she will try everything on a 31 ways to make you happy list. She wants to prove the writer wrong. As she does her research, she finds out that maybe she is surprising herself.

OMG I LOVED THIS BOOK. It made my heart soar and I was crying with happiness over so much of it. I felt Isadora's pain and heartache. I felt her joy and how careful she was as she tried to figure out if she was deserving of happiness. I understood as she weighed if it was worth the risk of being hurt in order to enjoy life. This book was so magical and I cherished every page.

What a story! I loved every character in this story. Really enjoyed the storyline and felt the message of the book was really inspiring.
100% recommending this to everyone and will read from the author again

The cover of this book drew me in, but the story kept me reading! "The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley" was such a good book. Isadora is a very relatable character to those that are quiet and keep to themselves due to past negative experiences. She meets some unexpected friends along the way that help her in more ways than just her research. Great story!

I love this book! This is a voice I’ve not read from previous books by this author and I so so so so so hope she writes more books like this because I’m totally here for all of them! So many one-liners that had me chuckling out loud. In fact, on many occasions I caught myself reading with a perpetual grin on my face. This is a fun with meaning and one you’ll be thinking about even after you close the cover. Also, I’d like to adopt Darby, Marty, and Delilah. And Cal is just great. *happy sigh*

Isadora Bentley has been burned before, when a man kept their relationship a secret, and then stole all the credit for her research. Now, she works alone. When she runs across an article claiming that if she follows a set of steps, she can find happiness, she sets out to disprove the author. But what if it actually works?

I have never read another book like this one; one where the author is smart, yet blunt and considered prickly by her co-workers, but she finds people who allow her to be who she is, while helping her see herself the way they see her, thus allowing her to become more of whom she's meant to be.

The cast of friends gathered to Isadora during her happiness experiment are fantastic characters. My favorite, perhaps, is the 10-year-old Delilah, in whom Isadora finds a kindred spirit, and sees what she could have had if there had been supportive people in her life at a young age.

I also love that once Isadora starts to look beyond herself, she sees the other women in her profession who have also been overlooked, or taken advantage of, and she becomes a source of encouragement for them.

I give this book 5 stars. Isadora will resonate with any woman who's worked in a male-dominated field, or who finds themselves at odds with societal norms.

I received a digital copy of this book, via NetGalley, from the publisher, in exchange for my honest review.

“The best portion of your life will be the small, nameless moments you spend smiling with someone who matters to you.”

Zinger! This book was another perfect zinger from Walsh.  “It comes out of nowhere and hits you like lightning.  And when it does, you’re never, ever the same.”

It starts off with Isadora freaking out about turning 30 and celebrating by visiting the forbidden Aisle 8, the junk food aisle.  While checking out, a tabloid touting ’31 Ways to be Happy (Today!)’ catches her eye and starts her down a path of proving the author and article wrong.  After all, she is a researcher, so this should be an easy experiment to conduct to collect the necessary data to disprove this theory.  What she doesn’t expect to happen is that her little experiment will start to slowly change her and her views on happiness.  And while it might not always be easy, it may just be worth it.

I LOVED this book!  Isadora and all the side characters are just wonderful.  She was so relatable that I couldn’t help but want to cheer her on or feel completely devastated when she felt crushed.  This story held so many touching and adorable and hilarious and heartwarming moments throughout.  I love when a book makes me laugh out loud one minute and then makes my heart just ache the next.  I loved the important messages about found or made family, self-growth, the depth and importance of human connection, and how true happiness looks different for everyone and only you can choose to be happy.  But when you do, it can be truly amazing.

I received a complimentary copy of this book.  Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.  Thank you again to Thomas Nelson Fiction, Courtney Walsh, and NetGalley for this wonderful e-arc.

Pub Date: June 13, 2023

Courtney Walsh is a storyteller. I loved how she wrote this book. The character development was beautiful and I didn't want to put the book down. I loved the romance that went along with the self-improvement was just perfect. I will recommend this book to anyone.

I’m in love with Isadora. I thoroughly enjoyed her journey to happiness. I know where she has been and had to learn the same things she did around the same age, except I was married with 3 under 3. And now 8 yrs later with 4 kids, I am telling them the exact same things.

I fell instantly in love with all the characters. I want my own Marty, and I’m pleased that have I have several Darby’s in my life. (Now) I’m not sure if there is a swoonier man than Cal. He is the absolutely best person for Isadora.

Thank you Courtney Walsh, NetGalley, and Thomas Nelson for this ARC. ~I was given this book and made no commitments to leave my opinions, favorable or otherwise~

I absolutely loved this book from start to finish. Watching a character who is so much like me learn the secret to happiness was quite an eye-opening adventure. I loved getting to know Isadora's quirky nature, loved her inner monologue, and loved learning through her that I don't have to change who I am for other people to like me. Just be me. But also that we can choose our happiness. I laughed and I cried (literally) and loved every moment.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Pub Date: June 13, 2023

Courtney Walsh hits it out of the park again! I loved hearing Isadora’s thoughts throughout the story. She’s quirky and relatable, and really overcomes some challenges. This is a story of self-love, friendship, and romance all rolled into one. This is a fun, uplifting read, and will be a great one to take with you on vacation this summer!

You’ll enjoy this story if you like:
📝quirky main character
📝friendship with unlikely people
📝a little bit of romance
📝self-discovery
📝College campus setting
📝Chicago

A very good surprise !
This book keeps getting better with each new page ! Even though Isadora is funny and witty from the start, I found it difficult to enter in the book because of her inside voice who speaks like a documentary and his very present at the beginning of the book .
But once she starts to meet our found family/friends the book really takes a turn for the best. I found it so relatable, I too feel the pressure of doing something impactful, I too sometimes wonders if it's better to be alone than to be heart broken ... This book gives hopes and some precious reminder on happiness !
A very happy read thanks to netgalley who provided this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Review: The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley by Courtney Walsh

Publish date: June 13 2023

I am determined Courtney Walsh can do no wrong. This book was so good! This is also my first book of hers that wasn’t a holiday story and I am here for it!

First impression is- why am I on the cover of this book and secondly this book is beyond relatable.

I haven’t felt a connection with a character like I did with Isadora. Buried under trauma and unsure if life at one point was ever meant to be happy.
Isadora is smart and quirky and real. But when she turns 30 she finds herself loading up on snacks in aisle 8 and grabbing a magazine with the article of “31 ways to be happy” as an academic researcher Isadora set out to disprove this article but what she didn’t expect to happen was the life hiding in plain sight.

Watching Isadora break out of her constant comfort zones made you feel a roller coaster of emotions. At times I felt myself smiling uncontrollably, laughing out loud and even finding myself tearing up. I just understood the connections she was having and how she was able to break herself from those traumas.

The relationships that Isadora builds throughout the story are beautiful and unexpected. From her loud outgoing neighbor with 4 kids to the old man in the quad at the university to her swoon worthy love interest.

I am looking forward to sharing this book with my friends when this book comes out in June.

Thank you so much @netgalley @thomasnelson and @courtneywalsh for allowing me the opportunity to review this book. I received this complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed are entirely of my own.

I adooooored this book!!! I felt my heart literally squeeze with emotions for Isadora and that is the rarest of feelings for me, when reading a book.
What a great story and an amazing writing style.
Thank you Courtney Walsh for such a great journey with your imagination!

So, let’s not skip the basics.
The happy life of Isadora Bentley starts on the day of Isadora’s thirtieth birthday. She is a talented researcher, super intelligent, extremely introvert and wired to be unhappy. Or maybe not?
She finds this article on 31 steps ways to be happy and she decides to start her own personal project. What kind of serious psychologist would boil down a universal recipe for happiness and publish it as an article in a magazine? Her research will certainly prove Dr. Monroe wrong.
And so, Isadora starts with her first step: it’s out of character for her, but, hey, what is this unpredictability going on, now?
The die is cast, and events start flowing.

The book started off quite slowly and melancholy and grey and ... you name it. Not really engaging. I found myself checking the remaining pages and started to ponder how much longer should I read before giving up. But I held a bit longer and, wow, was it worth it!
With hindsight, the beginning really makes sense, it sucks you into Isadora’s lifestyle and it prepares the setting for better understanding what is going on with her project.

After the slow beginning, it picked up very quickly, and what astonished me was that it didn’t need anything super dramatic to remain captivating. This is something I find rarely, an author that can write irresistible pages without over-using big drama events or out of characters reactions. Courtney Walsh created superb characters, who interact delicately yet charmingly. Sometimes the side characters are fillers for the main characters stories, but in The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley all characters had a well-defined personality. I enjoyed reading them all, I did not feel like they were taking away pages from Isadora and the handsome professor. Even if the side characters were not really in my mainstream preferences, they were so well depicted: the way Isadora interacted with them made me discover new sides of Isadora that I enjoyed reading.

Most of all I loved the perspective, the metaphors, the general take on life. When I find a nice metaphor or a concept expressed in a witfully effective way, I highlight it to be able to savour it later. I usually highlight 5-6 paragraphs tops in a good book. Here I lost count, I felt like I was taking notes on every page! I loved the funny comparisons, the dry introvert sentences, the revelations, the awkwardness, the scientific approach to everything.
“My parents were submarine Christians – they only came up for air twice a year, on Easter and Christmas”
« I reset my face to factory settings and sigh »
« the hygienically impaired sales clerk »
« I’m totally counting that as a full-on workout, though, because the calories I burned worrying about it warrant it »
I am definitely going to re-use so many of them !

Maybe, the only thing that felt a bit off is the fact that there was no steam. I did get the feeling that it was a choice, and I like chaste books as much as steamy ones, and I do get that some authors prefer to keep stories less explicit. But I did not even get a hint if there had been any « follow up », to the point that I felt it was an important part of Isadora’s evolution with her love interest to know what was going on in that department. Even without writing explicitly about any scenes : she is thirty years old, after all, and you do wonder if that’s all they did and, if not, how it affected the relationship. It felt a bit like a teenagers kind of love, at times, in contrast with the depth of their great and profound personalities.

This book is one of those few ones that I cannot put down and read avidly and, 10 pages to the end, I start reading super slowly because I am not ready to leave the characters. By the end of book I was almost angry with Isadora, for leaving me : I felt like I was invited to her lunch bench and now she is cutting me out. That’s how good this story has been for me. Such a great gift of good meaningful emotions : what an unfrogettable journey.
Thank you Courtney Walsh.

📖Review: The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley by Courtney Walsh 

A delightful exploration of happiness with a quirky and reclusive heroine. 

Isadora Bentley is turning 30 and she has not accomplished any of what she has wanted to. She was supposed to prove her childhood wrong — those bullies and her mom who always said she didn’t measure up — but she is a low level researcher who has isolated herself from the world around her. Until on her birthday, in a sugar-coated haze, Isadora decides to prove an article entitled 31 Steps to Happiness wrong. As Isadora begins trying the steps, she finds herself immersed into the world she was trying so hard to avoid and confronting some of her long held beliefs. 

Isadora is a fabulous character. From page one, I found her inner dialogue relatable and funny. The secondary characters were also lovable and their interactions were a perfect mix wise words and witty banter. 

I highly recommend this book if you like:
🏡Found Family
❤️Romance
🪞Self-Discovery
💁🏼‍♀️Lovable characters
📚Books like Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, The Bookish Life of Nina Hill, or The Last Chance Library. 

This heartwarming novel is available on June 13th — just in time for summer. I received this complimentary copy of the book from Thomas Nelson and NetGalley, but opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I am a Courtney Walsh fan, and this book is one reason why. The quirkiness yet relatable struggles of the characters really shine through. The way she writes the book almost makes you feel like you are watching everything happen on a movie screen.
Isadora takes you on a journey from being reclusive, to proving an article wrong, to finding her own happiness. And it’s a beautiful thing.

Thank you netgalley for an arc copy!

When I saw Courtney Walsh was coming out with a new book, I just knew I had to read it! Once again a super cute book. It will definitely be one that I have to buy as soon as it comes out!

I received this book as an ARC on Netgalley

This novel was a delightful, relatable story of finding happiness in your own way.

Isadora is such a fun, quirky protagonist. I enjoyed her unique personality and the ways she sees the world in ways different than I expected. She felt so real -- experiencing things like anxiety, fear, loneliness and surprise. I haven't read many characters like her and I finished hoping to encounter more like her in future. Her life hasn't gone according to plan. She has been hurt, betrayed, let down, and put down. Those hard experiences have shaped her life. In many ways, they have hindered her ability in the past to change, move on, and find happiness. Then on her 30th birthday, things start to change. It is an impulsive decisions, but it becomes life changing.

Isadora's happiness experiment is clever and so fun to read about. I loved hearing how she completed each step of the "31 steps to be happy" magazine article. And I loved that some of them she didn't like and even hated (like yoga, although I think she liked that more than she expected). It's such a simple idea to complete all these steps. But they really change her. I loved her journey from awkward smiles to life changing friendships. Flying kites and eating gourmet chocolate (that sounds divine!), self care and deep breathing, planning a trip (actual travel optional) and spending time with good people, exercising and decluttering. Each of these steps adds to Isadora's story and I love how they bring her dear friendships along the way.

At the heart of this story are beautiful relationships. In simple ways, Isadora makes friends that truly change her. I loved Darby and her strength and wisdom. She inserts herself into Isadora's life and refuses to go away providing everything from delicious meals to fashion advice, an exercise buddy to mom wisdom. Her loyalty is so beautiful! I loved what Isadora and Delilah mean to each other and how they accept each other. They are so similar and their shared interests and personalities make them so endearing. I love that their relationship is tied to an answer to prayer and that Isadora is able to help give Delilah the support she lacked as a child. Marty is one of my favorite characters in this story. At first, he is lonely and feels unsure about his future as a widow. I loved how he befriends Isadora whether she wants it or not. His patience, wisdom, and kindness were so lovely. We all need an old man friend like Marty. And of course, Cal is at the heart of this story as well. He treats Isadora with respect and kindness. His love and genuine interest in her projects and her life were so beautiful. Theirs is a relationship that I aspire to emulate. I love how these characters become Isadora's people. The friends that center her world.

Isadora's journey is not perfect or simple. She gets anxious. She pulls away from her friends. She has to overcome difficult betrayals and let downs. She has to have faith and choose happiness. I love the journey and the beautiful lessons she discovers along the way.

A cozy, quirky story about the power of happiness, friendship and everyday love.

I dare you to read this book and not smile and be filled with joy!

Isadora is an introverted research assistant who thinks she’s better off alone than by forming relationships because people have always disappointed her.

On her 30th birthday she reads an article with 31 ways to find happiness and sets out to try everything on the list- mainly to disprove it. Along the way she finds her tribe and realizes relationships are worth it- she just hasn’t met the right people yet.

✨⭐️✨

I found this book to be so heartwarming. Isadora grows so much throughout the story. Every one of the side characters (besides one) is perfection!

The story, characters, and relationships are endearing and kind of remind me of A Man Called Ove. I loved every second of this book! It publishes June 13th but you should pre-order it now!

This is my favorite Courtney Walsh book that I’ve read so far!

The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley was without a doubt a five-star read for me. From the very first page, I was intrigued and invested in Isadora. Her introverted awkwardness was so relatable to me! I thought it was a fun twist on the curmudgeon theme that seems to be popular lately to have the grouchy character be a young woman, plus I loved that she has a STEM job. It's always fun to read about intelligent female characters.

I would say The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley is best classified as a cross between romantic comedy and women's fiction. While there is a good thread of romance and lots of funny moments, this story is ultimately about Isadora discovering how to like herself and be at peace in her life. It's a story of learning how to give and receive friendship in a fulfilling and healthy way. Courtney Walsh wraps some big, important themes in a fun and delightful little package. Highly recommend!

This book made me happy. It was a great read and the main character was so special to me. I loved this book. Also, the cover is perfect.

Isadora is perfectly content to remain alone with her research. She avoids professors and the students that she's supposed to mentor. On the night of her 30th birthday, Isadora impulsively picks up a magazine that advertises, "Thirty-One Ways to Be Happy." She sets out to prove this theory wrong. While she conducts her research by completing each step, Isadora inadvertently makes friends. Despite her best efforts not to. She is pulled far out of her comfort zone, forced to confront her own feelings and even fall in love. Courtney Walsh is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. She has created characters that will stay with you for a long time and everyone can relate to in some way. The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley is one you won't want to miss out on.

The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley by Courtney Walsh was a inspirational, funny contemporary romance novel.
I really enjoyed this book. There is an interesting and nice story line, the characters are refreshing, and there is a sweet romance too.
Here everything is excellent—the writing, the characters, the plot.
The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley absolutely got me in the feels! I loved watching Isadora and Cal together.
My first time reading this authors work and I’m so excited to read her previous titles and the ones to come.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Thank You NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

Immediately after starting this book I knew I was going to be wanting more. I loved the way Courtney Walsh set up Isadora's life and her experiment. This book was clever and lighthearted but also touched on some true and difficult emotions. I completely empathized with Isadora and loved the group of friends she gathered along the way to discovering who she really is. An easy recommendation for almost any reader!

I've read many fantastic books by Courtney Walsh, so I was excited to see that she has another book coming out soon! "The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley" is about the afore-mentioned Isadora, a scientific researcher who has closed herself off to love. Having endured insults from both her peers and her parents growing up, Isadora doesn't believe in herself, and she especially doesn't believe that she can ever be happy. But her scientific mind is intrigued when she comes across a study titled, "Thirty-One Ways to Be Happy." Isadora decides to test this for herself and, along the way, she discovers that happiness is a choice she can make. She also develops some new relationships and discovers that she is capable both of receiving love and giving love.

I really enjoyed this book and the premise behind it. Isadora is easy to root for, and I resonated with her bravery and struggle to find happiness. I also really liked the side characters, and loved them too. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

I started reading The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley with the expectation that it would be similar to many other contemporary romances. I sure was wrong. I LOVED this book. It totally took me by surprise and I couldn't put it down.

Here are some of the things I loved the most:
- Isadora. She is so quirky, but it works so well in this book. I found myself relating to her in SO many ways. I was riding the emotional roller coaster right with her.
- Isadora's found family - she finds the most perfect group of people to love her. I was laughing and crying at these amazing characters.
- The romance was SO sweet. Cal is such a great male lead. I love his determination and patience.
- The Happiness Experiments. Isadora finds an article called "31 Ways to Be Happy" and decides to try them all to prove it wrong. But each step is so much fun, especially as her new friends join her in her adventures.
- This book made me think a LOT about happiness and what I can do in my own life to feel happier.
- This book had a depth that I didn't expect. Complicated pasts, hard family relationships, and painful journeys of self-love and acceptance.

This is definitely a book that I will be thinking about for a long time, and I can't wait to own a copy for myself!

Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas Nelson Publishers, and Courtney Walsh for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest opinions!

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Publishing for this complimentary copy of The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley. This review is based solely from my reading of the novel and was not persuaded by any other source. Five stars!
Before your life really begins, times can be tough and they were for Isadora. She didn’t see herself as others did and it blurred the image of herself. While she was a fascinating and brilliant woman, people used her for what they could get, because she was phenomenal at her job as a researcher. Then she started a challenge to prove someone wrong in a magazine article and it all spiraled into the right direction from there for Isadora.

She had many discoveries along the way, lots of fun and it was an enjoyment to take this journey with Isadora. Never having a best friend would be a lonely way to live, but sometimes you don’t know what’s missing until it’s gone.

Many people will never be happy, because they settle for less, but Isadora realized what she wanted and went after it. Marty was such a wonderful addition to the novel and helped shape and mold the deeper points throughout the book. The insights he provided really added to the writing, in my personal opinion.

Then Cal appeared and Isadora was skeptical, but had to fulfill her job as a researcher and put her personal feelings aside. Their relationship I found to be of a professional basis, and I loved how Cal was portrayed throughout the novel. A very sweet and stand-up guy that wanted Isadora to only have the best personally and professionally. He pushed her towards a better Isadora. I loved that about the writing and it created a happy swoon mood for readers.

All the characters were lovable and easy to follow. They all had their quirks, but I found them to all fit well together.

This novel wasn’t like the others I have read by Courtney Walsh and I really enjoyed that. Given I have not read some of her kindle only reads, but have read most all her novels and have enjoyed them as well, but enjoyed a different pace with this one. Sometimes a change of pace is important for an author, so they do not become indistinguishable from the others. I loved this novel, because of that change. It had humor (laugh out loud moments), heartache, best friendships, light-hearted romance and was a delight to read. Great read!!!!

The Happy Life of Isadore Bentley
By Courtney Walsh
Pub Date: June 13: 2023
Thomas Nelson
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Romance, fiction, contemporary
I loved this book! It was a quirky story of an introvert and so relatable!
The themes were great! The book captured me from the beginning.
5 stars

Isadora is a quirky and socially awkward introvert. Spending her days as a university researcher, she doesn’t have time for friends or hobbies- and she likes it that way. She avoids the university students, who she’s supposed to be mentoring, and ignores her neighbors. And yes, sometimes she gets anxious and overwhelmed. On the day of her 30th birthday, Isadora finds herself at the grocery store loading up with junk food to celebrate at her party of 1. In the checkout line, a magazine with an article called “31 Ways To Be Happy” catches her eye and she buys it on impulse. After reading a few of the “31 Ways,” she decides to conduct some research of her own by trying all the ways- and hopefully creating some happiness of her own.

Guys- this book really spoke to my introvert-leaning soul. Even if you’re not a fully introverted person, there are plenty of things you can relate to in this story. We all have times of self-doubt, thoughts of past-traumas, have gone through a terrible breakup and I bet you still remember the person who bullied you back in 3rd grade (I’m looking at you Ashley W). All those experiences can have you second-guessing yourself well into adulthood. And if you don’t have a good family or friend support system, like Isadora, it can be even harder to overcome. To that point- she ends up with her “found family” of a group of wonderfully random and different people and a genuinely kind love interest. It made me so happy for her and I was just so pleased with this book and author.

You know those characters that get under your skin and into your heart? Isadora is one of those for me. There were so many parts of her that were so recognizable and that made me need her to find her happiness so much.
On her 30th birthday Isadora sees a magazine article “31 ways to be Happy”
Convinced the writer is a charlatan she decides to apply her researcher skills and scientific method and try and prove the author wrong.
Isadora will have to break her routines and habits to complete the project and confront the real question at the root of her experiment “is she happy”
I loved this book, I definitely recommend checking it out if you want a feel good story (that might make you cry, but in a good way) Releasing June 12 2023
Thank you to @netgalley @courtneywalsh and @thomasnelson for letting me review this book. #bookstagram #readforfun #readforjoy #readersofinstagram #reading #readmore #bookreview #bookrecommendations #thehappylifeofisadorabentley #readmorebooks

The Happy Life of Isadora

This book was so unexpected! I absolutely loved it. It’s deep and fun and is the ultimate definition of character growth.

I loved Isadora. I loved getting to see why she is the way she is and how she ticks. To be completely honest, in the first chapter or two I wasn’t sure I would like her. But as I got to know her, I made connections with her. I grew to love her and the things she was learning. I loved learning along with her on her quest for happiness and learning to let people in.

I loved so many of the themes and lessons in this book. learning to let people in. Choosing those who make you feel accepted and good about who you are. Reaching out to others. Learning to enjoy people when you’re an introvert. Standing up for yourself. It was a beautifully written book and I will definitely read it again. And it’s yellow. I love yellow books.

I had the pleasure of talking about this book with a fellow reader and I found it funny that at the same time we messaged each other about one small element. I said I liked it, she said she wished it had been resolved. And I love that it’s a book that let us to ponder how to handle difficult people and relationships. In truth we all cope differently and each difficult relationship is so unique. What a thought provoking book to read, especially if you’re an introvert or have ever felt a little on the outside of friends and society.

A cute, relateable story that truly lifts your spirits. I love isadora, i root for her throughout, commiserate with her in the bad, and really feel connected to her at the end. The story line is different, fresh, and entirely adorable. I loved it!! I wish there was a sequel!! It made believe in happy, even though im generally more of a negative nelly. Definitely recommend this book!!!

This book was written for me!

Isadora is such a relatable nerdy mess, and her story is giving me all the feels! It made me smile, the romance made me swoon, there were some laugh-out-loud moments, and it tugged on the heartstrings big time. Overall, while some aspects might have hit a little close to home, I loved the strong theme of making connections and I adored this particular found family Isadora managed to pick up along her way.

CW: bullying (recounted), death of a spouse (recounted), parental estrangement, parent with narcissistic personality disorder, heart attack

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson - Fiction for providing me with a free e-ARC.

The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley is a Christian romance full of self-discovery and letting go of past pains I would absolutely recommend!

When Isadora Bentley finds herself alone for her 30th birthday and comes across a magazine article claiming to know “Thirty-One Ways to Be Happy”, Isadora finds herself on a mission to prove the author wrong. But, after encountering new friends in the least likely of places and inviting Cal, a new researcher Isadora has to help edit his manuscript for, she realizes that the magazine article might be right after all.

Now, if you read Authentically Izzy, you’ll appreciate the character development Isadora goes through in The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley. Walsh does a great job with creating Isadora and I feel like a lot of readers can relate to her struggles of feeling on the outcasts of the world around her (including me and I think Isadora might be autistic/neurodivergent). This book not only ties in Christian themes of acceptance (as well as strategically using the found family trope), but you also get to see Isadora learning how to let go of her past regrets and hurts in order to fully heal.

I also really liked Walsh’s writing style for The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley and it’s not just because of the David Attenborough-like commentary that portrays Isadora’s inner monologue. This book felt like a nice and cozy hug after a long day and finding the solace of connecting her characters that you can relate to and root for. While some parts of the book did feel a bit slow, Walsh makes up for it by her characters and the swoon worthy romance between Isadora and Cal (I mean, the things Cal does for Isadora in the book will totally melt your heart).

So, if you’re a fan of the found family trope mixed with self-discovery, personal research projects, and sweet romances, you came to the right place.

I loved this book from the first page and honestly, I didn’t want this book to end. Not only did I love Isadora Bentley but all the people she adopted along the way! An excellent group of characters and a unique and interesting storyline. I thank Netgalley and Thomas Nelson for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Is Courtney Walsh inside my brain? This book is such a triumph for the girls who never fit in and were never stood up for. Everything about this book makes me feel seen and loved. Plus, it’s been a minute since a book has made me laugh and cry so much.

While I can't relate to all of Isadora's experiences, her thoughts felt so real. The negative self-talk in the first 20% of the book was frustrating and almost felt intrusive! But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that I needed my own negative self-talk to be pointed out. And watching Isadora learn to extend grace to herself throughout the story has helped me remember to extend grace to myself, too.

Making friends as an adult is hard. And it’s easy to put your head down and tell yourself that you don’t need people. Isadora is so so relatable in this regard. But the character growth is so good. And the friendships in this book are so wonderful and satisfying. All of us need friends like Marty, Darby, and Delilah.

While the sweet romance in this story is important to the plot, I love that it doesn’t claim to be the main thing or overshadow the other elements of the story. Cal is the dreamiest, and we love him. But he adds so much more than romance to the story, and I love that. Because all of us need a friend like Cal, too.

This book is a new favorite. Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas Nelson, and Courtney Walsh for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. The pleasure was all mine.

Isadora Bently is vey unhappy and has nothing to look forward to as she spends her thirtieth birthday planning to eat junk food. Isadora works as an academic researcher. She has no friends and prefers to work alone.
While waiting to buy junk food Isadora browses through a magazine and notices an article titled “31 Ways to Be Happy (Today)”. Isadora does not believe that it is possible to be happy and buys the magazine intending to prove that it is not possible to be happy by following the 31 ways to be happy.
I loved the way the story unfolded as Isadora worked through the 31 steps and the way she interacts with the characters she meets.
This was about families, friendship, grief and academic research. At about page 100 I found myself saying “I love it, I love I Love it”.