The Happiness Project by Pippa James

Today I am joining Bookouture’s Books-on-Tour to review The Happiness Project by Pippa James.

Thank you to Kim from Bookouture, NetGalley and the author for a copy of the book, which I have reviewed honestly.

Alison’s perfect world has fallen apart. Her beloved larger than life mother-in-law, Maggie, has just passed away. Every afternoon they’d talk and laugh over a pot of tea – and Maggie was secretly the glue that held Alison’s family together. Now she’s trying to figure out a future without her…

With a little help from her two best friends, Alison resolves to try and find her happy place and be more Maggie. Vowing to step outside of their comfort zones and make the most of every day, the three women each have their own challenges to overcome in the year ahead – a baby on the way, a romance to save and a much-needed confidence boost.

But as Alison finds herself drinking more wine than she ever has in her life and signing up for an extreme sports charity event, she starts to wonder if this is really the change she needed in her life? Or will she re-discover her happiness closer to home?

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My Thoughts

I first met the three main characters when I read and reviewed the first book in the series I Will Survive. It was lovely to revisit the women who despite being very different people had formed a very special friendship.

The story begins on New Year’s Eve and Alison is heartbroken after the loss of her Mother- in- law Maggie. Anyone who has read the first book will know that Maggie was a kind, warm and voracious character whom everyone seemed to love. In Maggie’s honour the women make a promise to themselves and each other, and they decide to call it The Happiness Project. It consisted of goals they wanted to achieve before next New Year’s Eve and ranged from getting a job, eating healthier to the more physical (muddy!) type of challenge.

I really enjoy the dynamics of this friendship group and how everyone is accepted just as they are (even though certain personality traits can be very annoying!) The women share a lighthearted banter but underneath there is a healthy respect for each other and when the chips are down they are there for each other. As you get to know the women it becomes apparent that they are nothing like there outward personas and each one has emotional difficulties to overcome.

This book is a welcome tonic, best taken at the end of a long day, with feet up and glass in hand. The subtle humour gives a feel-good flavour and the friendship will make you feel warm inside.

Here is my review of I Will Survive.

About the author

Growing up in Birmingham, Pippa James was never without at least one book on the go and therefore lived several different lives concurrently. As an adult, she would like to spend much of her time the same way, but she now lives a chaotic life in a small Derbyshire town with her husband and two children. Her writing is frequently interrupted by parenting duties and her day job as a teacher and the only way she can find a quiet space to think, is by taking her laptop to the pub to drink tea and write, which she does at every opportunity.

The Happiness Project by Pippa James