Scan barcode
A review by stephsbooktalk
A Happier Life by Kristy Woodson Harvey
4.5
Thank you so much to Gallery Books for an eARC & free copy of the book!
Thank you so much Simon & Schuster Audio for the complimentary audiobook!
This was my first Kristy Woodson Harvey book and I will say I likely would read her again! This was such a moving story told between the past (her grandmother & grandfather) and the present. You really got a sense of each of the characters and what they were going through at that time in their life. There were elements of the book that were predictable but I still was enjoying the ride. I absolutely loved Beck's point of view! She seemed like she was a fire of a woman who stood up for what she felt was right. Her relationship with Townsend was so sweet and you could really sense the love between them.
Another favorite character of mine was Keaton's neighbor Anderson down in North Carolina! He took a liking to Keaton right away and I enjoyed seeing their friendship grow. And of course where there is a cute kid there's an equally cute single dad. Bowen was a little bit more reserved as there is this stranger now living in this old abandoned house but quickly he became smitten with Keaton. Although we did not get to see much of the life Keaton had while in New York (only through past reflection and storytelling), I felt that she really belonged in the south. She adapted so well to the environment and the town folks.
We got to learn about Beck's home life growing up and how challenging that was for her. And how even more challenging it was to face the later half of her life when things just were not the same as it was. Hearing from Townsend's point of view was a nice bridge to Beck's stories and seeing his point of view especially in the later years. Those letters & diary entries he wrote were a key to past that his children and grandchildren needed in the present timeline. I love family mysteries like this and how it truly does bring families together. I did find it a little weird that Keaton and Harris mom and uncle never went back to the house after their parents died. They simply just up and left and hired people to take care of the house for the last 50 years.
I primarily read this book via audiobook. All 3 narrators Cassandra Campbell, Devon Sorvari and Fred Sanders were fantastic as their respective characters. Their voices all came across as age appropriate while listening which was helpful with knowing when the character/timeline change (though it was pretty obvious based on the story being told).
Overall I really enjoyed this book and thought it was a great book to read towards the end of the summer. It had all the elements of a beach read - mystery, family drama (nothing too dramatic), friendship & romance.
Thank you so much Simon & Schuster Audio for the complimentary audiobook!
This was my first Kristy Woodson Harvey book and I will say I likely would read her again! This was such a moving story told between the past (her grandmother & grandfather) and the present. You really got a sense of each of the characters and what they were going through at that time in their life. There were elements of the book that were predictable but I still was enjoying the ride. I absolutely loved Beck's point of view! She seemed like she was a fire of a woman who stood up for what she felt was right. Her relationship with Townsend was so sweet and you could really sense the love between them.
Another favorite character of mine was Keaton's neighbor Anderson down in North Carolina! He took a liking to Keaton right away and I enjoyed seeing their friendship grow. And of course where there is a cute kid there's an equally cute single dad. Bowen was a little bit more reserved as there is this stranger now living in this old abandoned house but quickly he became smitten with Keaton. Although we did not get to see much of the life Keaton had while in New York (only through past reflection and storytelling), I felt that she really belonged in the south. She adapted so well to the environment and the town folks.
We got to learn about Beck's home life growing up and how challenging that was for her. And how even more challenging it was to face the later half of her life when things just were not the same as it was. Hearing from Townsend's point of view was a nice bridge to Beck's stories and seeing his point of view especially in the later years. Those letters & diary entries he wrote were a key to past that his children and grandchildren needed in the present timeline. I love family mysteries like this and how it truly does bring families together. I did find it a little weird that Keaton and Harris mom and uncle never went back to the house after their parents died. They simply just up and left and hired people to take care of the house for the last 50 years.
I primarily read this book via audiobook. All 3 narrators Cassandra Campbell, Devon Sorvari and Fred Sanders were fantastic as their respective characters. Their voices all came across as age appropriate while listening which was helpful with knowing when the character/timeline change (though it was pretty obvious based on the story being told).
Overall I really enjoyed this book and thought it was a great book to read towards the end of the summer. It had all the elements of a beach read - mystery, family drama (nothing too dramatic), friendship & romance.