The Happiness Project by Helen Bridgett is an enjoyable story about living life to it's fullest and finding your own happiness.

Synopsis (from the book): Angie Shepherd is blissfully happy. She’s running her own successful travel company. She has best friends to share karaoke nights and cocktails. And she has a gorgeous new man in her life — Michael. What she doesn’t expect is her mum to want to join in the fun. She’s written a bucket list. And she wants Angie’s help ticking it off! Angie is very happy to help her mum have a makeover, ride a motorcycle and learn to waltz in Vienna. Life is all about taking chances after all. But now Angie’s beginning to feel left behind. Her friends are heading off on a cruise, or getting married. Her mum is reinventing herself, and Michael has been avoiding her. Suddenly Angie is the one left on dry land.

My thoughts: I love how Angie was supported by her friends and how the romance wasn't the main plot of this fun, uplifting story. I felt so happy every time I went back to it and wanted to finish it in one night (but also didn't want it to end). If you enjoy small town feels, close friends, and encouraging contemporary stories, this book is for you. While it was the second in a series, it could work as a stand-alone, but there were some references to book one. I know I'm going to go back and read book one next!

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts.

The Happiness Project by Helen Bridgett is a delightful, laugh-out-loud romcom that explores the joy and challenges of reinventing yourself later in life. Angie Shepherd, a successful travel company owner, is living the dream—until her mother throws a curveball into her well-ordered life. Her mum has written a bucket list and wants Angie to help her tick it off, which includes some surprising and adventurous items, like a makeover, riding a motorcycle, and learning to waltz in Vienna.

As Angie helps her mother embrace her second chance at life, she begins to feel left behind. While her friends embark on cruises or plan weddings, Angie finds herself stuck, her relationship with her boyfriend Michael growing distant. Feeling somewhat lost, she realizes it might be time for her own journey of self-discovery.

Bridgett infuses the story with humor, heart, and plenty of travel inspiration. Angie’s personal growth is uplifting and relatable, and readers will enjoy the balance of light-hearted fun and deeper reflections on life, love, and what it means to start over.

This book is perfect for those who love second-chance stories, travel escapades, and a dose of inspiration to take risks and embrace new adventures—no matter your age. The Happiness Project is an uplifting, feel-good read that will leave you smiling long after the last page.

This book felt like a big warm hug! I really loved each character and was constantly laughing along with them. Can't wait to read more from this author!

Super super cute! A light and lovely read when you just want to sit, relax with a hot cup of tea or coffee and read a cozy book! Loved Angie and her struggles. Absolutely delightful.

This is cute but probably something I will enjoy more later in life when it is easier to relate. Fun little romance.

I really enjoyed this second book in the series!!

A sweet summer read, full of friendship and family.

I loved following Angie’s journey.

Second book in a series. I haven't read the first so that posed some challenges but still enjoyable all the same. Will now go back and read the first!

The second book in a three part series on the Mercury Travel Club is a hoot.
The characters are a lively bunch who work well together.

Angie's mum is writing a bucket list but she needs the help of Angie and the travel club to bring it to life. Not everything in the list is what Angie would like to help her mum with.....but with the help of their friends.....and many hilarious moments on the way....they manage to fulfil the task.

A funny, easy read. Looking forward to book 3 in the series.

This second book in the series pleasantly surprised me, despite missing some backstory. Angie helps her mom tackle a bucket list, navigating life with supportive friends and work challenges. It's a sweet summer read with a strong friendship group, rooting for Angie's journey through romance and personal growth.

The Happiness Project was a fun book to read. It wasn't my normal age range for FMC so it was different than what I normally read. I do feel like it was very drawn out and did get a little boring for me at times. This is the second book in the series, and I hadn't read the first one, so I did miss a little of the backstory, but she did a good job making sure you knew the gist of it. I did love that they had a solid friend group. I would maybe go back and read the first one and see if I would continue this series.

Where the first book definitely wasn’t a romance, this one has more romance to it, as Angie tries to start a relationship, and Patty dives into one of her own.

Again, the stories about the tours that Mercury puts together are the highlight for me. They would be so much fun to go on!

This book sees all of the characters develop a bit more. Angie’s mum is still kind of a nutball, but a lovable one who clearly loves her daughter.

Angie works hard at her job and goes out of her way to bring happiness to her friends. She still battles her self-doubt a lot, but her intentions are good and her heart is huge. And this is what causes the problems with her fresh relationship with Michael—she is totally blindsided when it turns out that someone she looked on as a friend has betrayed her.

I do question whether the author actually knows the difference between a trans woman and a drag queen. The drag queen in this story is ALWAYS in drag persona, and is referred to using they/them pronouns. The difference between trans and drag is an important one. (Just ask the national champion informative speaker, whom I had the pleasure of judging in finals at nationals last week. I would love to provide you a link to the speech, but it’s not released yet.)

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book is also reviewed at https://biblioquacious.blogspot.com/2024/07/british-chick-lit.html

This is the second book in a series and I felt that I was missing some of the back story - but it was still a very good book!

Uplifting and enjoyable story about finding happiness, by living life to the full. Angie's mum asks her to help her tick experiences off her bucket list - all but one are doable in Angie's mind, but her mum is determined to do them all.

At the same time Angie is dealing with her own life, including meddling men, but she's beautifully supported by her close friends and colleagues.

Great summer holiday / beach read!

A quick, lightweight read with very little drama or angst to ruin your mood. A good book for taking on the go, for when you only have a few minutes here and there to read.

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this ARC in return for my honest review.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book. It was fantastic!

This book couldn’t have been named more aptly as I felt a significant boost to my mood every time I picked up this book! This was technically the second of a series, although, it reads wonderfully as a standalone. It reads like a small town romance with the most amazing cast of characters! One of the things I enjoyed about this book was that while there were romantic elements, it was not the driving force of the plot. In fact, there wasn’t too much of a plot to this book but that is a-okay with me because the characters in this book were everything and their antics had me literally cackling!

This book did indeed make me happy. The story had great cute moments and I rooted for the characters throughout.
I though it was well-written and the pacing was not too clunky or slow.
I enjoyed this tremendously.

good mystery and i loved the friends too. I really enjoyed the romance and how it solved . I also loved reading this author. Really enjoyed her friends. Great book.

This is the next book about Angie, a fun character you might like from another book. This time, she's juggling work, a book club, and maybe even a boyfriend! She's also helping her mum do all the cool things she's ever wanted to do. There's traveling, love stuff, and even a wedding! The story is funny and lighthearted, with lots of interesting characters. It's a nice read about a woman in her middle ages who's figuring things out after a divorce.

Thank you Netgalley for the chance to read this :)

I really enjoyed this book. The characters and the plot were wonderful, and I rooted for the couple the whole time. I will definitely be recommending to my forllowers!

A fun sweet read! Highly recommend.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for my ARC.