Thanks to Lake Union Publishing for the DRC!

I think it's adorable that Page goes to the dog park, even though she doesn't have a dog. LOL
This was a sweet, fun story. Can't say it's my favorite book, but it's a nice read.

After being dumped by her boyfriend of four years during the very same week that she is also fired from her job, Page, our 30-something-year-old protagonist, decides to relocate to D.C. for her chance at a fresh start and moves in with her brother, Brady. She doesn't have any plans at all and finds herself in a dog park without a dog, where she happens to meet a lot of different people, including a potential love interest.

I found Page especially relatable, despite the ~10-year age gap between us, because I, too, have felt super lost and in a state of limbo at various stages in my life when it felt like nothing was going as planned. Not to mention the fact that I'm also a huge fan of dogs (but then again, who isn't?).

While Happily Whatever After did deal with some weighty subjects, it was able to sustain a certain level of humor throughout the narrative even during the difficult parts, due in large part to our female protagonist's biting wit and commentary. To me, the whole story was really reminiscent of something that Sophie Kinsella would write. It had that a special charm and lightness about it, even in the face of some heavier topics. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this book to fans of Sophie Kinsella, Lindsey Kelk, and Paige Toon, all of whom give off similar vibes to Stewart Lewis here.

Page has hit rock bottom. She was fired from her job at an art gallery in NYC and her boyfriend broke up with her in the same week. She fled to Washington, DC to live with her big brother and started spending her days at the dog park despite not owning a dog. Over time Page embraces new opportunities with her new two and four-legged friends. She dreams of getting her own place, adopting a dog, falling in love, and finding a job. Just as things start to fall into place life takes a sharp turn. Will Page ever find her happily ever after?

What I enjoyed:
-All the talk of dogs! Dog parks and dog walking.
-Short chapters made it a fast read
-Not a typical rom-com as there is some darkness and a little bit of tragedy

What I didn't love:
-The plot was slow to build - it did eventually hit its stride
-There were some very odd behaviors by Page that did not seem realistic for a 35 year-old-woman
-There were a few characters introduced that felt unnecessary

⭐⭐⭐/5

Thank you to @netgalley and @amazonpublishing for this e-galley in exchange for my honest review.

34-year-old Page is suddenly jobless and single, so she moves to DC to live with her brother. She starts going to a dog park (although she doesn't own a dog) and starts meeting a variety of people.

I must admit that at first I didn't like the main character, and basing on her behavior I thought she was in her early twenties than being 34. Also, some of the encounters with the people in the dog park were rather strange, making a big connection in only one or two meet-ups.

However, in the second part of the book, the relationships with the people in the park were more stable and built-up, and Page was more mature and centered. I liked the second part of the book much more than the first one (except for the sad parts).

** Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion **

3.75 stars—HAPPILY WHATEVER AFTER by Stewart Lewis is a contemporary, adult story line following thirty-something Page, a former New York art gallery manager who finds herself in Washington DC, living with her successful, restaurateur brother Brady, whose own life is about to spiral out of control.

Told from first person perspective (Page) HAPPILY WHATEVER AFTER follows Page as she endeavours to move on with her life. Newly single and recently unemployed, Page moves to Washington DC , to live with her brother as she struggles to make sense of her life. Daily visits to the local dog park (sans dog) finds Page befriending an eclectic group of dog owners, many of whom will become part of our protagonists inner circle. From dog walker to gallery owner, Page watches from the sidelines believing life is passing her by but Page begins to focus on the what ifs, and sets out to reestablish herself in the world of art.


HAPPILY WHATEVER AFTER is a cute story with a little bit of humor, tragedy, heart break and love. Page’s eccentric friends would be better suited to the New York lifestyle but Stewart Lewis’ Washington DC is representative of the diverse and passionate world of friendships and relationships brought together by the four-legged animals everybody loves.



THE READING CAFE: http://www.thereadingcafe.com/happily-whatever-after-by-stewart-lewis-a-review/


GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3453545695


AMAZON. COM: https://www.amazon.com/review/R12PYUOWXL41P/ref=cm_cr_srp_d_rdp_perm?ie=UTF8


BOOKBUB: https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/3127182832


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CHAPTERS/INDIGO (Sandy_AT_The_Reading_cafe) posgted

Page needs a fresh start. Not only was she fired from her job at a NYC art gallery, but in the same week, she was dumped by her longtime boyfriend, Jack. Jobless, penniless, and heartbroken, Page runs away to her brother's condo in DC to start over. Always the dog person, while she's in DC, Page spends her days sitting in the dog park both people, and dog, watching. What starts as a self-conscious, yet relaxing endeavor for Page, slowly opens her up to new people (new dogs!) and new opportunity. As Page starts to slowly get her life back on track and figure out what she really wants, life throws her one massive curveball and once again, Page is left wondering if happy ever after was ever meant for her.

This book was FULL OF DOGS. I loved it. The dogs were better than the people, to be honest, although some of the people were pretty great. It was also a super quick read, broken up by short chapters, and a stream-of-consciousness-esque kind of writing. It had its dark moments, that's for sure, but this book was still funny, light, and a great "do-over" story. Page was flawed (incredibly so) and watching her put her life slowly back together filled me with a glimmer of hope, and I really enjoyed watching her realize that she 1) doesn't need a man for validation and 2) can do whatever she sets her mind to (especially with her people skills and luck).

Now, I will say there were some things I didn't love, like how Page made some super questionable choices, especially for a 34-year-old woman, and there was zero accountability for them. This girl literally snooped around, and the people who caught her were like "lol just Page being Page" and I wanted to shake them because her behavior was not cool. I also thought one or two of the characters didn't need to be there; they just kind of felt like filler, but I get it. People come in and out of your life super easily sometimes, and so that was kind of emphasized. She was also kind of a hot mess, but to be fair, who isnt?

All in all, this book was quirky, fun, and made me chuckle. It also had a million and a half dogs, and I loved that.

Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy of the book.

Plot line: Page is in her thirties. She has lost her job and boyfriend. It is devastating. Can she give overcome this?
In the book 'Happily Whatever After', Page, the main character shows that we can turn a new page in life whenever and wherever we want. A nice book when you want to read something other than self help book for moving on.

Thanks to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

I wanted to like this book so much. I used to spend a lot of time in DC and it's, a book where a lot of it takes place in a dog park, but unfortunately that's where the good things ended for me.

I ultimately DNFd at 55%. The beginning was fun, but after the first few chapters I just felt like the scenarios just kept repeating themselves..

This is definitely a light read, but I felt like it veered a little too much into casual and crude for my tastes. This writing moves along at a quick pace, but I wasn't always super into the way Page, the MC, internally monologues. Her relationship with her brother is a high point in the book, but the weird attraction with BR was a bit off-putting at times for me. The story also rushes a bit to a finish and overall feels off-paced.

Thanks to the publisher for providing an ARC through Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

Kapow- Page lost her boyfriend and her job and really her inspiration all in one swoop. Wisely, she moves from New York to Washington DC to live with her brother Brady. She doesn't have a lot to do so she hangs out in the local dog park, despite the fact that she doesn't have a dog. This is a sort of second chance at yourself novel- it's not a romance and the best relationship is between Page and Brady. Page learns a lot, slowly, by talking to others. Know that there isn't much action here but it's a sweet story. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A pleasant read that made me smile.

Happily Whatever After is the story of Page, who after being dumped by her long-term boyfriend finds her life with no direction. She moves in with her brother, finds a job as a dog walker and makes eccentric friends through the dog walking park she frequents.

When things finally seem to be going Page's way, her life is thrown a curveball and we see how Page and her family deal with the issue. You can't help but root for Page throughout this book - she's funny, witty and smart and you want her to succeed in reaching her goals.

I did question where this book was heading when I was around 20% in but I'm so glad I stuck with it as it gets better and better the more you get into it.

I could relate to this story so much. The small things that are mentioned in the book are something that stay with you till the next chapter especially the things in the italics. It's so enjoyable and relaxing and makes you laugh every five minutes. You are missing out on lot of life and laughter if you miss this book.

This book was easy to get into and I made good progress over a weekend morning, but ultimately it was lacking in story and character development. Page was a character I was looking forward to getting to know, she’s a 30-something, down on her luck, lost her job and her boyfriend who moves in with her brother to get back on her feet. She decides to visit the local dog park, without a dog of her own, to connect with new neighbors.

I really liked a lot of the establishing content, getting to know Page, her exploring the dog park, and even making friends, but by the middle of the book I was getting a bit bored. Page would go on dates which would result in disastrous encounters and short chapters.

My favorite parts, Page crushing on a dog owner that owns a winery with dogs named after wine, and his daughter who often walks the dogs, was too few and far between to keep me interested. I wanted more romance and comedy, instead of seeing Page’s failed dates, drink filled evenings, and very little planning out her next steps.

I would recommend this book to anyone that likes lighter-hearted rom-com style stories that are centered on a female main character navigating bad luck with a fresh start and new lease on life. Unfortunately for me, I was expecting more of a typical romance genre with some comedy, instead of more comedy with hints of romance.

This book was an interestingly weird read. I definitely got a “Seinfeld” vibe in the beginning - about Page’s life, but nothing in particular and it was kind of all over the place for a bit. Although she is a very like able hot mess and I loved her positive attitude about life, she wasn’t too cheesy (which bothers me), and even though she was going through a rough time she was never overly “woe is me”. This book was quirky, but still pretty entertaining...
Thank you @netgalley and @amazonpublishing for the the eARC to read and give an honest review!

A decent light read. Great characters, but a predictable plot that tried to cram a bit of every possible scenario and emotion into it. A good book to take on holiday.

I received an ARC of this book to read in exchange for a fair review. Happily Whatever After is a Woman’s fiction novel by Stewart Lewis. After losing her Art Gallery job and being dumped by her boyfriend /place to live, Page has left New York and moved in with her brother Brady in Washington. Starting over is hard, and at a loose end, she starts spending time in the neighbourhood dog park even though she doesn’t have a dog. The park becomes a refuge where she makes friends, finds a temporary job, perhaps a career and maybe a romance. For once, everything seems to be going her way or at least until the third act dark moment. The book has a sweet friends to lovers storyline, the right combination of humour and angst, as well strong supporting characters. I enjoyed reading this book but wish the author had thought to maybe give Page a last name, its one of my bugaboos I know but it frustrates me when characters don’t have complete names. CW secondary character has cancer. Steam Level: Light. Publishing Date: July 28, 2020. #HappilyWhateverAfter #StewartLewis #LakeUnionPublishing #bookstagram #WomansFiction

Thank you NetGallery for a free E-Arc of this book in exchange for an honest review! This is a book about second chances after everything in Paige's life goes up in flames in a matter of one day from the loss of her job to her long time boyfriend dumping her, she finds herself moving to Washington D.C. in order to live with her brother and make a fresh start! While Paige is struggling with the way her life is at the age of 34, she spends her days at the local dog park even though she does not have a dog. As she begins to meet and learn about the different people and dogs at the dog park, she begins to find herself on a journey of self discovery and chasing her dreams of opening an art gallery! The book begs the reader to ask the question: "Are you ever too old to have a second chance at finding your dream life?"
This book has a fabulous cast of misfit characters that help Paige along her journey! I loved how witty and strong Paige was throughout this book despite the curve balls life kept throwing at her and her family. Each character was well developed and complex, with a very realistic feel to them. I enjoyed Paige's daydreams about one of the locals that brings his dogs to the park. The pacing was well done! The writing and plot lines kept me engaged until the very end! I had no choice, but to finish this book in one sitting! The romance was very sweet and had me smiling! Overall, I loved the ending and was well satisfied with how things turned out for our favorite couple! I would recommend this book to those who love a sweet romantic comedy and who have always believed it is never too late to have a second chance! I can't wait to read more books by this author!

This was an enjoyable read. I enjoyed the plot, the characters, the humour and I found myself eager to keep reading, what's going to happen next kinda reading. Will recommend.

I wanted a dog so that I could go to the park to meet a character like Page - although she proved that you don't actually need a dog to hang out there! I loved the community of totally different characters that were all brought together by their uniting factor - dogs. I enjoyed how their lives spiralled outwards from the park and how we got to know them from this base. To me, it showed what can happen when you are brave (eventually) and begin to talk to a few people. You find there's a depth and friendship that takes you on new adventures.
Happily ever after? I'm not going to spoil the fun.

Stewart Lewis' HAPPILY WHATEVER AFTER begins with a promising premise: a woman who loses job, intended life partner, and New York City home in one fell swoop and lands in her brother's apartment in Washington, D.C. Always loving dogs, but not having one of her own, Page becomes attached to a local dog park regulars and visitors and ultimately builds a new, fulfilling life with that humble start. While the story premise was intriguing, the actual telling of the story fails to evoke an amazing city, realistic characters (other than stock, appealing expected types), and logical twists and turns in a struggling person's life. I wanted to like this book, was primed to embrace its escapist heart, but after several chapters, found myself flipping the pages looking for substance. The surface banter, the glib asides and assumptions of inside cultural knowledge were a definite detriment.