I didn't think I would be I really liked the main character. Suspenseful and exciting I didn't want to put the book down.

A Way Back to Happy is the debut novel by Olivia Spooner about a woman named Emma and her life right after her husband left her. Emma had planned to tell her husband Paul that she and their young son Freddie were moving out, but Paul beat Emma to the punch by telling her he was leaving, and she was thrilled. She soon gets a part-time job at a local, organic grocery store she loves and finds herself finally happy. Emma meets Finn when out with the girls one night leading to a steamy weekend and then a casual relationship with the fun-loving Finn. However, after a terrible accident one evening, everything changes.

Considering the substance and themes of this novel, the blurb above is honestly a bit cheesy in my opinion. This is a very thoughtful novel that makes you not only analyze your own behaviors but really makes you think about the people in your life that you depend on (or think that you can). Emma’s network of friends and family was absolutely amazing and honestly made me wonder the last time I read something where a character had that many people in their corner. The relationship she has with Finn starts out reckless and wild, like a woman clearly re-sowing some wild oats after a divorce, but I enjoyed how it shifted to a more controlled and responsible friendship towards the end. I can’t say I was really crazy about Finn, but I didn’t dislike him either. Perhaps his character could have been developed a little more? Emma’s friends were great, especially the hilarious and usually inappropriate Lily who added many laughs to the book from beginning to end.

This is one of those reviews where I feel as if I’m not really saying much, but it’s hard to review and go into the plot without spoiling the entire novel. I will say that despite the blurb, I was very surprised about what happened with Finn and Emma. Even more surprising, however, was the ending. Again, without giving spoilers, the ending truly came out of nowhere. The last page or so is my only criticism of the novel at all. I felt that it was rushed and abrupt and really didn’t make a lot of sense considering the behavior of her family and friends throughout the entire book. I was lying in bed and when it came to the end I shot up in bed and literally yelled, “what the hell” to my iPad. Nevertheless, this was an excellent debut as far as writing style, development, and dialogue. Emma’s story is uncomfortable at times while she deals with the aftermath of a completely avoidable accident, but it is certainly worth reading. I am excited to see what this author does in the future. I would rate this 4.5 stars but am rounding up to 5.

*Thanks to Aria and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

this was a book that i read really quick, it is a quick and easy read with a lovely uplifting feel to it. It is so well written and I feel in love with the characters who were captivating and relatable. A really good book

What a great book! Wasn't sure what to expect when I started reading it but I was hooked into Emma's life & needed to know more. After a disastrous marriage with Paul, with the only good thing to happen was their son Freddie. Life is turned upside down after meeting Finn but not in the way I expected. Emma has incredible friends & I wish they were mine! Love that it was set in New Zealand too. Enjoy!

A wonderful romantic book that will keep you turning the pages and before you know it you are on the final chapter and saying farewell to the lovely characters. Meet the lovely Emma , unhappy in her marraige and raising her little boy. Her one love in life is food. Is she brave enough to leave her husband. The book counts down to a 'D' day for Emma when an event will change things significantly for her. Without giving away any spoilers this event shows the main characters strength and also all the people around her. Emma and her son Freddie have you rooting for them and also you have to love Finn and hope he and Emma can find their way. Utterly likeable characters and a lovely book.

I give FIVE STARS for A Way Back to Happy! I flew through it in two days and hated putting it down. I admittedly stayed up way too many reading when I should have been sleeping. I loved the story, but loved the characters even more.

I sadly could relate to how Emma was feeling in the beginning of the book and was so happy for her when things fell the way that they did, making her life and next steps so much easier. I almost left like I was experiencing her feelings of elation when she met Finn and was with him, I could almost feel the weight being lifted from her shoulders and her being set free. It was almost odd how strong my emotions were, the author definitely demonstrated immense talent to be able to suck a reader in like that. She again captured Emma’s emotions perfectly when she was in the hospital drowning in fear, helplessness, and frustration. Again, I could almost feel tightness in my own chest and heart, and tears on my own eyes.

I loved her son, her friends, her community; I loved HER. I loved reading about a REAL person living REAL LIFE. I loved the buildup leading us to the ending. So much happened, not what I was expecting, but it of course worked.

The author’s writing is so easy, so comfortable, so enjoyable. I could not get enough of this book and am hoping she will write more books so that I can devour those, too.

I was invited to read this book from Netgalley and the Publisher. It's a book that might not have caught my attention but I am very pleased that I did read it.
I like the character of Emma, it seemed that life was going well and then the event happened.
The chapters count down to the number of weeks before the event. You know that something is going to happen but you don't know what. I was surprised by what happened even though I thought that I knew what was going to happen.
I really enjoyed reading this book, it was entertaining, lots of drama, romance and humour. I will definitely look out for more books by this author.

Emma is shocked when her husband Paul announces that he's leaving her on the very night that she planned to tell him the same thing. She should be happy because she wanted to be rid of him but it's not that simple. Her first priority is her son Freddie. She's also got some terrific friends especially Lily and Nina. When she meets Finn, a Scotsman, in a bar, she's up for some fun. Things seem to be going well- she's working with Jack to put a cafe in his shop- but then Jack dies and Emma, who has been drinking too much, goes off the rails. THere's a terrible accident which leaves her dependent on her parents and struggling to get back to normal. What about Finn? Well, he had a secret. And Emma has a decision to make about her future. This is a very good read that turns a sharp eye toward dealing with a TBI, among other things. No spoilers from me. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. Good characters and storytelling pulled me in and kept me turning the pages.

Wow, what a good surprise and not what I was expecting at all. This book was so well written that I could feel my heart breaking for poor Emma and feel myself smiling at other times. A definite must read.

I adored this book. The first part is Emma going thru the separation from her husband and her girlfriends have her back. She meets Finn and they have lots of fun and sexy time. She gets a job with her favourite private grocer and together they decide, with Emma being such a foodie, to add a cafe. Things are looking up for our Emma....then thinks start to fall apart.

The second half of the book focuses on Emma needing to get well both of mind and body. Again her girlfriends are her strength and have her back, but this time her parents do as well. I loved her little guy, Freddie and he is portrayed as the one his mom is determined to get better for. As it should be.

This book had a bit of everything, it was exciting, sexy, happy and sad. It made me feel grateful, angry and it made me laugh...all the feels and I could not put this story down...what more can you ask from a book? This wasn't just a novel, you are actually taken on a journey, one of ups and downs...the good with the bad and everything in between. All. The. Stars.

Loved this book and didn't want to put it down. It was funny, with romance and drama, what more do you need. Very well written, this is the first book I have read by this author but I will be looking for more. 5 stars.

Thanks to Netgalley and publisher for this eARC

I loved this book, I smiled, I cried and I laughed.

The book is in 2 parts, before and after. Emma is married to Paul and they have a son Freddie. Finally realizing that she will break up with Paul, he walks in and says he’s leaving. Emma goes on a night out where she meets Finn where they have many fun evenings and one of those takes a turn for the worse.

All the characters in the book are interesting, engaging and fun. I’m really hoping there will be another book about them as I’d love to find out what happens next.

It’s a light hearted, romantic, feel good book. 5 stars.

What a journey! Since the beginning, the author builds what feels like a plot twist and you, as a reader, are there in full suspense, feeling like there is this avalanche coming but you don't have an idea what it is or where it will be coming from. And when it happens, it does beautifully. The Love, the drama, the life lessons, the self-harm, friendship, family, the love again, everything since chapter one. It has it all!

I Adored it!

Olivia Spooner’s debut novel A Way Back to Happy showcases the love between four friends and the amazing support they have for one another. The book is written into two parts the first half when Emma is planning on leaving her husband, the second half concentrates on what happened after a night of rash decisions that led to an accident and the recovery. Each chapter is written with the heading of the number of weeks before, a creative way for the readers to see what happened and what will happen. The characters are well developed, the friendship is rich, and the story has growth and development.
A fun and entertaining chic-lit book, I look forward to reading more of Spooner's works.

Thank you #netgalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

If you are looking for a read that is going to test your emotions, then I think A Way Back To Happy might just be the book you are looking for.

This was an easy, enjoyable read for either a holiday or rainy Sunday. A good romance, well written. Likeable characters. Sometimes I need just that: romance delivered.
I'm sure many other female readers will feel the same.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the copy!

Review will be posted on Sept. 16th.

I really didn’t see the ‘after’ part of this story coming, and although so very sad I really enjoyed this book. The story of Emma, and ‘before’ and ‘after’ a lifechanging event.

Really enjoyed this book. Was completely not what I was expecting but in a really good way. One thing I did not notice at first is that the chapter titles count down to something, telling you immediately that something is going to happen. After this 'life-changing event' we see the aftermath and Emma trying to get her life back on track. This comes with a rather large hiccup but the resolution of the book is exactly what It needed to be. Would have been nice to have an epilogue of sorts to see what actually happens after the ending. I enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend :)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4148673033

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Emma is unhappy in her marriage and is happy when he moves out. With all the new changes in her life, Emma is feeling better until an event happens that changes her life forever. This book was both honest and forthright.

I really enjoyed this book. Emma was a great character. Thanks for the opportunity to read and review this book.