This was a very enjoyable story set around Hope Farm, a wonderful place that caters for children needing a bit of extra help due to various issues that stops them from conforming to the 'norm' in mainstream education, and a whole lot of animals full of character!

Molly runs the farm, with help from Bev and Alan. Her aunt, who took Molly in when she was young, used to run it. Then as her aunt got older Molly was helping out more and more, and then when her aunt eventually died Molly just continued living and working there, in the caravan they both lived in on the farm, as there is no house.

The story mainly revolves around Lucas and his soap-star father, Shelby, and how their lives start getting closer as Molly helps Lucas overcome his anger with his father, and life in general. But the animals are the main stars, they have all been donated to the farm as they also have issues and no-one else wanted them, amongst them ex-police Shire horses who are afraid of their own shadow, a sheep that thinks he's a dog, and the very grumpy and naughty Anthony the sheep, to mention a few. They are all absolutely delightful and really made the story!

Of course there's always a glitch, and this time it's that horrible HS2 train line going through Hope Farm and Molly has to find a new home as she is being evicted in 90 days, which she really struggles with, until Shelby comes to her rescue.

As I also live in Buckinghamshire near the route that awful train is taking I completely agree with Carole, who makes good use of this book to underline the atrocious way 'people in power' are ripping homes and land away from people, all to shave a few minutes off a train journey that a lot of people won't be able to afford to go on anyway. Absolutely appalling, they should be really ashamed of themselves. Some families have passed their houses and land down generations, but it will all be demolished. But of course those 'people in power' making the decisions won't be affected, it won't be their homes that are being bulldozed for 'progress'. Sorry, rant over, but it just really makes my blood boil the way they are decimating the English countryside and throwing people out of their homes with their compulsory purchase orders.

The book itself is really lovely (nothing happens to any of the animals!) and Molly and Shelby, and Lucas eventually, develop a wonderful relationship. A real feel-good book that I thoroughly recommend.

A truly wonderful heart-warming story containing all the best ingredients - love, self-discovery, animals and friendship. A springtime must read for anyone looking for that ‘hallmark’ fuzzy feeling.

This is a really good feel book which invites you into the life of Molly and her time on Hope Farm. Meet Anthony the anti-social sheep, the pesky alpacas and the poorly chickens. There is a host of characters. The children who have lost their way find hope and love on the farm under the guiding hand of Molly. Lucas is a kid who is need of some TLC because he's lost his mum. He finds his voice with poetry and, with the help of Molly, finds a way to bridge the gap with his dad, Shelby Dacre. Shelby Dacre becomes the love interest of Molly and helps her save the farm. A lovely read which makes you go, how sweet. I loved this cosy read and would recommend. Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for letting me review this book.

A lovely read. It took me a little while to get into this book, but once I did I was completely absorbed by the story of Molly and her farm. A gorgeous story of the animals and their ways of helping children who hadn’t been helped by the school system. Wrap that around with a love story and you have a really enjoyable read!

Shelby Dacre is a famous hearth throb soap star who live his life in the eyes of the public which doesn’t endear him to his son, Lucas. They don’t really speak and it seems impossible to bridge the distance that opened when his mother died and was replaced by a younger celebrity replacement. Shelby’s last hope is to bring Lucas to Hope Farm which has a reputation for taking in ‘problem’ children. Molly runs the farm and definitely prefers the company of animals to most humans. Beautifully told, atmospheric read, Carole Matthews draws the reader into a world of green valleys and feisty animals. Highly recommended. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Another lovely feel-good book from Carole Matthews. There are a number of layers to the story, including: helping others, celebrity and social media, finding out what makes you happy. There are some great characters in the story and up-to-date impacts, such as HS2. Funnily enough, the Sunday after I finished reading this there was a feature on "Countryfile" about a care farm, a slightly more upmarket version of Holly's Hope Farm. Recommended.

Happiness for Beginners was another great read from Carole Matthews.
I have read all of her books and loved this one just as much as her others. It is a lovely heart warming story.
Highly recommended.

The book is very funny and full of memorable characters and animals! We are introduced to them and to Hope Farm, a place where troubled teens learn some practical skills. I have been a fan of Carole Matthews books for some time now, so I was very happy to get the chance to read this book , thank you, NetGalley!

What a wonderful uplifting read. I do love Carole Matthew's so it's no surprise I quickly found myself drawn into the story. The characters are likeable and well thought out and you feel yourself rooting for them all. Loved it. Would be great to have a sequel to see what happens next.

Molly Baker is happily (kind of) living her unconventional life in a patched up caravan on a farm run as an alternative school for kids who have difficulties in mainstream education. Her best friends are the animals - she shares food, her home and her blankets with them on a regular basis. Molly is coming up on 40, and has made the decision to live no ordinary life because guess what, she really doesn't like socialising with people all that much.
This is a story of every day life on Hope Farm. There are short sharp descriptions of each animal "friend", the farm helpers, and some of the children but it lacks substance or anything close to a narrative on reality. The characters sit on the surface waiting to be given life which is a shame as this could be a bigger feast of a tale. As it is, it is a very jolly, warm sunny day story.
As a reader what I liked most was Molly for just living her life not so much as an escape but as a choice. What is "normal"? There really is no such thing. Well done to Carole for choosing a different kind of heroine.

A great read, though it took me a little while to get in to it. Once in I was absolutely hooked. Loved Molly and her farm and penchant for troubled souls. Having worked in a Pupil Referral Unit I was able to identify with Molly and Bev and their understanding of youngsters with issues. This was a lovely gentle story where things that you thought would never be resolved got sorted. Hilarious in parts and and very heartwarming. Would recommend this and will be reading more from Carole Matthews

The perfect Sunday read! I started this book and finished it within the day as it was so enjoyable. A decent easy read that has lots of story and depth to it keeping you entranced as to what happens next!

Meet Molly, former teacher, animal lover, happy to share her home, such as it is, with all waifs and strays. Molly is one of life’s good guys- she has opened her home and heart to kids who don’t quite fit the mould. Along with her stalwarts, Bev and Alan( the t-shirt!) they not only look after the animals, but run a school for some of the more vulnerable kids in society.

Throw in a handsome soap star and his troubled relationship with his teenage son and we have a cracking read. Throughly enjoyed this romp through the English countryside, even if Molly is sometimes, too good to be true. Story is an easy read and a bit predictable at times, but I’d love to be Molly! Who wouldn’t want to spend every day with kids and animals, doing good- not to mention the possibility of romance with a handsome soap star! Settle down with a big mug of something hot and enjoy Matthews’ storytelling magic. Loved having the opportunity to read this feel good tale.
#HappinessforBeginners #netgalley

Such an endearing story! Happiness For Beginners is a fun romp through a wonderful world. The animals are awesome. The humans are loveable and real. It's an all around warm blanket read. If you want to smile, read this book. You will not be disappointed. Thanks to NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Happiness for Beginners by Carole Matthews a five-star read you will want to start from the beginning as it’s just so good. This may just be the best comedy I will read in 2019, it has everything drama, funnies and a hot male love interest who you want to punch on quite a few occasions. I really mean it, this story has it all from some of the cutest/creepiest animals that will make you aaawww to the greatest of teenagers (complete with tantrums) who will make your heart sink so far that you will sob like a teenager who just had their heart broken for the first time. Hope Farm is an amazing place and I only wish that there were more places like this in real life. This is one of those stories that will stay with you. Carole Matthews has a talent for writing that few will ever match, this story is one that will draw you in and make you envision that you are in a field in Buckinghamshire with a sheep on the rampage and a couple of cute shetlands with horns.

A great story line with brilliant main characters.. I read this book in one sitting as I couldn't put it down.

I’ve read numerous books by this author & this one didn’t disappoint. What a great read I’d recommend this to anyone.

Molly runs Hope Farm giving homes to anti-social sheep, alpacas with attitude, definitely-not-miniature pigs and offers alternative education to kids who haven't blossomed in mainstream schools. A distractingly handsome Shelby Dacre turns up hoping to enrol his wayward son, Lucas. Molly isn't fazed and immediately accepts him as a student but soon she realises Lucas is more of a handful than she predicted, has she made terrible mistake or can everyone find a second chance at Hope Farm?

This novel is irresistibly quirky, funny and absolutely jam packed with heart! Join Molly and the cast of dysfunctional but lovable characters on the farm that gives them purpose, joy and a sense of community. The antics the animals get up will have you giggling in no time. When the farm is threatened with closure Molly needs all the help she can get making sure that it doesn't happen. Molly has a full on life and doesn't have time for to fall in love but her heart has other ideas... curl up with a cuppa and treat yourself to Matthews at her very best, this is feel-good fiction at it's finest I didn't want it to end!

Thanks to NetGalley & Little Brown Book Group UK for sending me this in exchange for an open and honest review.

I was lucky enough to be approved by NetGalley to review this book. This is such a good, heart warming read. Having grown up on a farm, I love how realistically Matthews shows life on the farm and how important the animals are no matter what else is going on. I loved the maternal relationship between Molly and Lucas. Not many romance novels deal with this sort of relationship, and I could feel the love she had for Lucas leap off the page. If you’re looking for a nice, heartfelt read - this is the book for you!

Happiness for beginners, this book is happiness ! Such a joyful happy read tha makes you feel good and happy. I loved Molly and Lucas so much and Shelby grew on me, but I am a sucker for a happy ending. Such a lovely tale, a brilliant pick me up in January blues time. Highly recommended

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion