Hi y’all!
I am thrilled to be sharing my review of The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley by Courtney Walsh. I was lucky to get an ARC copy of this book back in March and I read it in just a few days. There was just something about this book — cozy, quirky, fun, relatable. It captured my attention and I loved experiencing it start to finish — a delightful, relatable story of finding happiness in your own way.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher. All opinions are my own.
Book Summary: “She’s out to prove that there’s no such thing as choosing happiness. Isadora Bentley follows the rules. Isadora Bentley likes things just so. Isadora Bentley believes that happiness is something that flat-out doesn’t exist in her life—and never will.
As a university researcher, Isadora keeps to herself as much as possible. She avoids the students she’s supposed to befriend and mentor. She stays away from her neighbors and lives her own quiet, organized life in her own quiet, organized apartment. And she will never get involved in a romantic relationship again—especially with another academic. It will be just Isadora and her research. Forever.
But on her thirtieth birthday, Isadora does something completely out of character. The young woman who never does anything “on a whim” makes an impulse purchase of a magazine featuring a silly article detailing “Thirty-One Ways to Be Happy”—which includes everything from smiling at strangers to exercising for endorphins to giving in to your chocolate cravings. Isadora decides to create her own secret research project—proving the writer of the ridiculous piece wrong.
As Isadora gets deeper into her research—and meets a handsome professor along the way—she’s stunned to discover that maybe, just maybe, she’s proving herself wrong. Perhaps there’s actually something to this happiness concept, and possibly there’s something to be said for loosening up and letting life take you somewhere . . . happy.”
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 Isadora 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.
What books have affected you with their powerful message?
What books about finding happiness do you enjoy?
Courtney Walsh is a novelist, theatre director, and playwright. She writes small town romance and women’s fiction while juggling the performing arts studio and youth theatre she owns and runs with her husband. Her debut, A Sweethaven Summer, hit the New York Times and USA Today e-book bestseller lists. Her novel, Just Let Go, won the Carol Award in 2019 and Just One Kiss was a 2020 Christy Award Finalist.
A creative at heart, Courtney has also written two craft books and several full-length musicals. She lives in Illinois with her husband and three children and a sometimes naughty Bernedoodle named Luna.
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