I would like to thank the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this eBook.

I really loved the concept of The Happy Shop. It is a book about a girl who is new to town and she ends up working part-time at a shop that sells happy feelings in a jar. I enjoyed the plot and also the art is very cute. I love the message that it tells its readers - that emotions are complicated.

Hello Again,

This week is going by crazy fast and I feel like I have so many reviews to catch up on before the end of the year hits! I have already started thinking about my Goodreads goal for next year and I am not sure if I will keep it at the same spot or make it a little lower. I do participate in the challenge but it’s more of an ideal goal than anything else. But for now, we need to continue reviewing the rest of the reads from this year! So let’s jump into The Happy Shop!

SPOILERS AHEAD

Darcy and her mom just moved to a whole new country so her mother could take a great job opportunity. Darcy is not super thrilled but she is trying to make it work for her mom. So in the spirit of making things work Darcy ventures out one day shortly after moving and ends up in a tiny shop in town. It’s got lots of glass mason jars everywhere and they all have interesting labels on them that sound like memories. On accident, Darcy knocks over a bottle or two and is confronted by the owners. One owner is incredibly sweet and caring towards Darcy while the other seems kind of mean. Darcy quickly learns that the owners are sisters and is offered a sort of job to help them out in the shop to pay for the broken glasses. Darcy starts working at the shop and is really enjoying it but she is also learning that the shop and its wares are so much more than she could have ever thought.

I absolutely adored this graphic novel, so I want to give a big thank you to the publisher for the E-ARC in exchange for my honest opinions. The art in this graphic novel absolutely pops off the page, with several rich colors being used throughout the story. The story was equally amazing. The idea of happiness in a jar and collecting other emotions was very interesting and fun to see how Darcy kind of helped to evolve that idea. I am definitely going to be adding a copy of this to my collection! This graphic novel comes out on February 13th, 2024! Definitely check it out! I highly recommend it.

Goodreads Rating: 5 Stars

***Thank you so much to the publisher for the E-ARC in exchange for my honest opinions.

Thank You NetGalley and the publishers of this book for this advanced review copy. All opinions in this review are my own

The Happy shop is a sweet slice of life story that is equally magical and rooted in everyday life.
Darcy our protagonist moved into a new place with here mother and is having a hard time settling in, while on her way to run an errand she discovers a magic shop The Happy Shop where she meets some interesting shopkeepers and comes across tiny jars that sell feelings.
A very sweet story about emotions and understanding them, that was a joy to read and is suited for many ages.

(Full disclosure: I received a free e-ARC for review through Netgalley.)

-- 3.5 stars --

Ever since her mom Helen uprooted the family and moved them to a new town for work, eleven-year-old Darcy has been sullen and unhappy. Perhaps this is why she's drawn through the doorway of The Happy Shop during what's supposed to be a routine grocery run. When she accidentally breaks a few priceless jars ("once-in-a-lifetimers"), owner Flora convinces her to pay off the debt by doing some chores in the store - much to her sister Frida's displeasure.

The Happy Shop is its own kind of magic: special jars passed down from generations of Flora and Frida's ancestors collect happy feelings, allowing customers to purchase an hour of joy when they need it most. But the shop has fallen on hard times, and Frida thinks it might be time to sell. When Darcy accidentally collects a sad feeling - and it actually ends up being just what their customer needs most - she convinces the sisters to revamp their shop. Can a radical change of perspective save The Happy Shop - and its clients?

THE HAPPY SHOP is an adorably sweet middle grade graphic novel about feeling all the feelings, be they good or bad. (She types while spending Christmas Eve alone, caring for a beloved senior dog who's not long for this world. Yes, I might be feeling extra emotional tonight, but the ending had me ugly crying.)

This was really cute but it ended just when I wanted more! It's about a girl who moves to London with her mom and she's pretty sad about leaving all her friends. One day she wanders into The Happy Shop, which is a store that sells happy feelings. She ends up helping out at the shop and learning all about it and just when some of the changes she's suggested are implemented, the book ends. I would've loved to see a bit more follow through but it was still pretty cute.

I adored this book!
A Girl and her mum moved to a new country and they both were struggling but thru the magic of the happy shop they found a place in the town and helped others along the way.
It has a fantastic message, all feelings are valid and need to be felt.

Thank you Oni Press and NetGalley for the advanced electronic review copy of this wonderful book. This is such a lovely, feel-good story about feelings and appreciating what one has. Great story idea, characters, beautiful illustrations, and plot makes for a fast, fun read. Highly recommend!

This is the most beautiful and wholesome middle-grade graphic novel! It has it all, beautiful artwork, a perfectly told story, relatable characters, and meaningful relationships. It is very much down to earth and real, yet heartwarming and magical.

The Happy Shop is a cute and sweet story about feelings and emotions. Darcy moves to a new country when her mom gets a new job. Feeling sad she wanders into The Happy Shop after an accident Darcy begins to work in the Happy Shop learning the ropes from two sisters, Frida and Flora. After accidentally collecting a sad memory instead of a happy memory Darcy begins to realize that happiness is fleeting, but gratitude can last a lot longer. Brittany Long Olsen weaves a beautiful and heart felts story with vibrant color spreads that aid in the overall feeling of the book, both happy and sad.

what a wholesome little graphic novel! this middle grade tale about darcy starting to work at the happy shop and collecting memories with the owners felt like a warm hug. the story was simple and had a good moral lesson, perfect for tween and teen readers struggling with big feelings. the illustration left a little bit to be desired for me and felt a tad bit unfinished, but the book is a great one for preteens going through big life changes. short, sweet, and a happy ending!

Thank you NetGalley & Oni Press for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

This was a really cute story. It shows being happy isn't always the answer. some times we need perspective to really appreciate the things we have. I do wish we had more backstory with Frida and Flora but I'd also be happy with a follow up to see how the story evolves more.

— 5 ⚝

this was such a heartwarming, slice of life read. i was immersed in the story and the art from page one. the art style is so simplistic yet so refined that i was completely taken with it. the characters are all so wonderfully illustrated and portrayed.

Darcy and her mother move to a new town and Darcy feels less than content about it. Upon wandering the streets, she finds The Happy Shop. A shop that collects and sells "happy feelings" to people who need them. when she breaks one of the jars by mistake, she is asked to work there as compensation. slowly, she pays her debt while also discovering that happiness is not the only emotion you need and that all emotions are equally important. together, they all must also find a way to keep the shop running because it is struggling financially.

the theme of all emotions being important is depicted in such a subtle way. i rlly enjoyed that it is not rubbed in your face but you're just expected to pick up on it and enjoy the ride. i loved following along with darcy and her journey getting to know Flora and Frida and working at the shop. the premise is so unique and one i was immediately pulled in by.

this was simultaneously a heart warming and heart aching read for me. the characters. the setting. the premise. the art style. they were all so so great.

i feel that a lot of young readers will resonate with the feelings and themes in this book and a book that absolutely needs to be in all therapists' offices.

this is 100% pilu of the woods meets inside out.

thank you to netgalley and onipress for an e-arc of this graphic novel. all thoughts are my own and not influenced in any way.

Thank you to Oni Press and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this graphic novel. I truly appreciated this concept and the story just wasn't a fan of the artstyle I think it could have been better. Because of these points, I have to give this a 4 out of 5 stars.

This is a sweet and charming graphic novel for middle grade and younger YA readers. The story about learning how to fit in to a new home, a new country, a new school is something many readers can relate to. I loved that this book is about reminding us that all of our emotions are important and valid. Although we all strive to find happiness and be happy other emotions are equally important in helping us manage and get through each day. It's kind of a new take on the idea that you can't know happiness without also knowing sadness. As Darcy learns, sometimes we need to get some perspective to realize what we already have. This is a great addition for any school and/or classroom library!

The Happy Shop is like a warm hug, perfect for cozy days in that require just a little bit of magic.

The Happy Shop by Brittany Long Olsen was an interesting, but yet important book. It is important to acknowledge our feelings and our memories. Given all the issues families have faced in recent years, I appreciate how Olsen both illustrated and wrote about how some memories are harder to find and no memory is not worthwhile. This is a great middle grade graphic for people of all ages.

***I received a free ARC of this e-book from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.***

This story follows a girl and her mother who have just moved to a new town. When exploring the town, the girl finds a magic shop that sells happy feelings and gets swept up in helping the shop stay afloat while adjusting to her own new normal.

I liked the magical realism concept. However, the simplistic art style and one note characters made it hard to fully embrace and love the story.

I can't even begin to express how much I loved this story. What a creative idea for a plot. There is so much to learn and to get out of book. I love how much growth the main character had. And how she gets more and more into enjoying this new place she found and actually thrive in the new area she moved to. Definitely worth the read.

I received this ARC from NetGalley.

This seems like a nice story for kids. The premise is interesting; it's mostly realistic with a bit of magic. And, I like how they point out how weird it is to just creep on people, especially strangers having a moment to themselves. I'm not quite sure how to rate a book for kids, but I think the lesson on having perspective on life and being appreciative for the little things is a good one.

Eleven-year old Darcy moves to a new town and stumbles upon The Happy Shop, where happiness is sold in jars. After accidentally breaking a jar, she now has to pay her debt and work at the shop.

Cute, short cozy read that teaches whether happiness is the only emotion we need. Soon, Darcy learns that having different feelings/emotions is what makes us human.