Love the baking theme, the cape cod setting, and the cousin relationship. All 3 began as works in progress, developed beautifully chapter by chapter. Really enjoyed the aunt cast as the wise role model.

How Does Main Street Creamery Make It Through Winter?

"The Secret of Happiness" continues Dawn & her mom Marnie's Story, after their 1st successful Tourist Season, in the Ice Cream Shop. You'll understand this 2nd 📗 best, by 📖ing the "Cape Cod Creamery" Series in Chronological Order.

I ❤️ that the unique, small town, characters ; especially Lincoln, young 🤠 Leo, & Kevin. I ❤️d this 💎 of a Story. I appreciated SWF's sensitive handling of emotional issues.

Dawn struggles at baking Sweets, to draw in Winter customers; & then her cousin Callie arrives for an extended stay. Dawn is also struggling to plan her Wedding to Kevin.

Marnie knows she needs to take over making the ice cream, when Dawn goes on her Honeymoon. But her attempts haven't been successful so far. Her Friendship with Lincoln, is going great. But Marnie is concerned about her niece Callie.

Callie is very depressed about her future, so she's hiding in her bed. Young 🤠 Leo's friendship helps her some. And Callie reluctantly attends a weekly meeting on the Secret Of Happiness, run by Professor Bruno. He challenges Callie to look at her life differently, by starting with the Sunrise.

How does God work everything together? I Highly Recommend You 📖 this Finely Crafted, Poignant, Deeply Relevant, Engrossing, Christian Family Romance, to find out what happens to the Creamery, the Wedding, & Callie! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I Can't Wait for 📗 3 in the Series!

I really liked this book. The Cape Cod Creamery series has been enjoyable. I do recommend reading book one in the series, The Sweet Life, because we are visiting the same small town and meeting many of the same people here in book 2.

It’s been fun to learn about making ice cream for a business. I enjoy making it at home but Callie’s family definitely is working on a larger scale.

Quirky warm hearted people make this so enjoyable. And oh my goodness. Can any child get cuter than Cowboy Leo? He will melt your heart, if not your ice cream. A story of hurt and healing, Fisher throws in a twist you won’t see coming.

If you enjoy contemporary Christian fiction then I recommend this one.

I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.

The Secret to Happiness
Cape Cod Creamery #2
By Suzanne Woods Fisher

Callie Dixon has always been a thorn in her cousin Dawn's side, and now she is coming to Cape Cod. Dawn is less than pleased to have her cousin staying with them at the Creamery. But her mother, Marnie, won't hear any differently. She knows Callie needs her family, and they'll welcome her as long as she needs them.

Dawn knows something is wrong with Callie and is determined to fix her, despite Marnie and Kevin's advice to let her be. But all of Dawn's efforts seem useless. Callie just doesn't appreciate her efforts.

Concern is weighing on Callie, and the pressure from her Dad to get another job is just adding to it. But Callie refuses to let anyone see the cracks in her life. But when Dawn drags her to a happiness class, Callie is challenged by the teacher, Bruno Bianco. How do you find happiness in the everyday, every single day?

The Secret to Happiness is a journey of self-discovery as Callie learns to let the pressures and grief of the past go. But it is more than that as she learns the simple things in life can give the greatest joy. I really liked Callie from the first. What I found interesting was that Dawn, who had improved as the first book went along, seemed to reverse when Callie came to the Creamery. So this book is as much Callie's story as it is a continuation of Dawn's. Overall this is a good read and provides a satisfying continuation of what started with The Sweet Life. I mean, who wouldn't find reviving an old ice cream shop interesting? Especially when you combine it with finding a new focus in life. This is a lovely series and should be enjoyed in order, but this book can be read as a standalone title.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion, all thoughts expressed are my own.

Such a fun read for summer! This is the second book in the series but I feel like it could be read as a stand alone! Nice to have a perfect summer book that is clean to recommend to others!

Callie's world in the culinary field ended suddenly.
Now at a college with her handing out samples of ice cream.
Surprised to see her aunt there, to attend a workshop.
She just bought an ice cream parlor. wanting Callie's help.
Time was not helping her come to terms of losing what she
loved doing. Nor a class on happinesses, or could it.
Interesting to follow Callie and how life changed for her.
Readers will enjoy reading
Given ARC by Net Galley and Revell for my voluntary review.,

The Secret to Happiness is part of the Cape Cod Creamery series but I believe it can be read as a stand alone. Callie moves in wither Aunt and cousin after a major mistake in the kitchen as a chef. Callie has to learn to move on from losing her livelihood. I enjoyed this book very much especially the words of wisdom from Bruno’s book/class that Callie does. I also loved Cowboy Leo. This story is about forgiving oneself, second chances and family. A wonderful read. Thank you to NetGalley and Revell for the E- ARC. This is my own opinion.

Another great book in the series. I love how the author explores a number of issues and personal struggles in the lives and words of her characters. My only complaint is her treatment of MS - while there is no cure, it is not the death sentence that it is portrayed to be in the book.

Sweet, easy beach read about having it all, unexpectedly losing it, and picking up the pieces. And how sometimes losing everything you wanted leads you to something better.

I was excited to receive this because I grew up in Chatham, and it seemed like a cute read. Thank you Netgalley and Revell for the ARC!

By age 28, Callie Dixon has reached her ultimate goal of being an executive chef at a renowned hotel. After a colossal mistake, she is publicly fired and humiliated. Facing a bleak future, Callie seeks solace with an aunt and cousin in the Cape Cod town of Chatham. When her cousin talks her into attending a free class called “The Secret to Happiness”, Callie reluctantly attends. Will the advice of the teacher, a widowed college professor, be enough to help Callie regain her life, or will the secret she is harboring hold her back for a lifetime? Find out in this refreshing, heartwarming tale of healing.

Loved this book! I especially liked the characters of Leo and Bruno. The story line was sweet and I loved each chapter intro about ice cream.



Thanks so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc. The opinions are my own.

Suzanne Woods Fisher’s follow up to The Sweet Life brings the Dixon ladies back together, as the Main Street Creamery struggles to get through the winter off-season, Dawn and Kevin struggle to move forward with their wedding, and Dawn’s cousin Callie struggles with the weight of the world and the death of her dream career. Fisher also brings back my absolute favorite character, Cowboy Leo, whose spunk and zest for both ice cream and life inspire me (and Callie!) The Secret to Happiness wrestles with some big issues, like the value of relentlessly pursuing your goals versus taking time to find and embrace the good things in each day, the despair of losing your life’s work and therefore struggling to find identity outside of that role, and gut wrenching anxiety of fear over chronic disease. But the beauty is in finding identity when all else has been stripped away and finding the small but mighty holy moments.

Fisher has a talent for artfully tugging at the heartstrings, and The Secret to Happiness is another shining example of her skill. Even in places where the plot went just where I hoped it would go, the writing took it yet another level deeper. Sitting in my hammock on a warm spring day, wishing for one of those delightful fancy pops, and reading this delightful addition to the Cape Cod Creamery series, left me wishing I had thought to bring a tissue for those beautiful a-ha moments. And the teaser at the back for yet another addition to the series had me just a wee bit teary eyed for joy!

Thank you to the author and publisher for allowing me a copy to read and review. All opinions expressed here are my own and are completely genuine.

The Secret to Happiness is the second book in the Cape Cod Creamery series. While you might get some spoilers, I do think this could likely be enjoyed as a standalone as well.

Having read and enjoyed the previous book in the series (and generally enjoying Suzanne Woods Fisher's contemporary romance reads), I was very excited to read this one. She always does a great job of creating heartfelt love stories that leave you walking away with a sense of hope, while also taking on sometimes difficult topics. When I picked this one up, I was not expecting to see myself so much in Callie's character. As someone who has dealt with both chronic unknown health issues, as well as anxiety and perfectionism... I definitely understood this character well... and I appreciated seeing that depicted in a character. The romance was certainly a slow burn, but it was sweet and unique, and I really enjoyed it. Cowboy Leo was perhaps my favorite and added such great sweetness to the story!

Like the first book, this is one that will have you craving ice cream with all its ice cream quotes and little facts learned throughout... so be warned, and don't read while hungry. If you enjoy Christian romance, this is one not to be missed!

**I received a complimentary copy for consideration. All thoughts are my own.

The Secret to Happiness is something we all strive to figure out. Callie Dixon feels that she had that secret mastered until her world fell apart. Meeting Bruno Bianco, the teacher of the Happiness class, Callie feels like he pushes her past her boundaries. He has a way of turning her thoughts back at her. Will she find her true path? Is she trying to hide in her aunt's little ice cream shop? Or just maybe the ice cream shop will be her answer? This story shows how family, forgiveness, tenderness, and understanding can really be healing. I loved this Callie's story. Even though it is the second in the series, I feel that you can read it without reading the first. I highly recommend this series and hope there will be a third. I received a copy through Netgalley. A review was not required.

Author Suzanne Woods Fisher’s The Secret to Happiness is a wonderful read with several storylines that unveil themselves through a delightful theme of ice cream! But you really don’t have to love ice cream to appreciate this story. It’s just a bonus.

Callie’s life has fallen apart and she runs into her Aunt Marnie at just the right time. When Callie invites herself to Aunt Marnie’s place on Cape Cod, it’s clear that there’ll be issues between Callie and her cousin Dawn. Seeing the differing perspectives of Callie, Aunt Marnie, and Dawn adds interest and understanding to a family dynamic that first seems doomed. Will Callie be able to get her life back together and find happiness?

As a Christian book reviewer, I appreciated the spiritual aspect of the book. The story isn’t overtly Christian, in that there are no references to Jesus, but there are some references to God, a Creator, and praying. Keeping the religious aspects “light” makes the book more relatable to mainstream readers while still satisfying the wholesomeness and spirituality that Christians appreciate in a storyline.

The Secret to Happiness is Book 2 of the Cape Cod Creamery series. I haven’t read Book 1 but didn’t feel like I was “lost” without the back story. I could see where some story lines were left open-ended to be tied up in the remaining books of the series, but I found the ending to be satisfying enough to stand alone.

The Secret to Happiness is the second book in the Cape Cod Creamery series. It can be read as a standalone, but I do recommend reading The Sweet Life. I like how The Secret to Happiness tied into the Three Sisters Island series. I like the author’s writing style. It made the story easy to read. The point-of-view switched between Dawn, Marnie, and Callie. I liked getting to see each woman’s perspective. Callie’s evolving relationship with Marnie and Dawn was heartwarming as well as realistic. I like how Marnie subtly shared her faith with Callie. It was the right approach for Callie. The happiness instructor’s theory is interesting. A way to retrain the brain. As Callie found happiness, so does the reader. I loved Callie’s relationship with six-year-old, Leo the Cowboy. He is a frequent visitor at the Main Street Creamery (he seems to know when a new batch of ice cream is ready for taste testing). He wormed his way into Callie’s heart (as well as the readers). Dawn and Kevin are planning their wedding. Dawn will not go on her honeymoon until she knows Marnie can make ice cream (from scratch). Plus, Dawn needs to find a venue. Marnie and Lincoln’s friendship might develop into something more. Marnie is not sure if she is ready. I enjoyed the humor scattered throughout the story. Kevin’s landlady is a doozy (I can understand why Kevin wants to move). There are ice cream quotes before each chapter and delectable sounding ice cream (and adult ice cream pops) in the story. I am looking forward to the next book in the Cape Cod Creamery series which will feature Dawn’s best friend, Brynn. The Secret to Happiness is about family, friendship, forgiveness, faith, love, ice cream, and second chances. The Secret to Happiness is a touching tale with a depressed chef, a cute cowboy, happiness sessions, surreal sunrises, appetizing popsicles, venue issues, and a secret discovered.

This is the second book in the series but can easily be read and enjoyed as a standalone. This is the story of Callie Dixon, a master chef who finds herself unexpectedly unemployed. So she flees to hide out in Cape Cod with her Aunt Marnie and cousin Dawn. Dawn and Marnie are running an ice cream shop and barely making ends meet because it’s winter and all of the tourists have disappeared. After days of watching Callie malinger in bed, Dawn decides that she needs an intervention to her depression and insists that she go to a class called “The Secret to Happiness.” The instructor is a forbidding, non-smiling and stern man names Bruno Bianco, a man who is wise beyond his years and very intuitive about what is actually happening in Callie’s life. He begins to advise her in subtle ways that make her think and when she starts reading his book about finding happiness, she ultimately discovers what her problem is and what she needs to do about it. This book was brilliantly written, with a sub-plot (Dawn’s wedding plans) and a book within a book (as Callie reads Bruno’s instruction manual and shares with the readers). I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Callie and the way she was talented and determined but not very self-confident. The way the author weaves the story around the dynamic changes in Callie and her attitude is amazing and so engaging! The characters were all well-developed and totally realistic and relatable. The messages are loss, redemption and ultimately hope for the future. This is a book not to be missed because it is entertaining as well as thought-provoking, causing me to think about what I would do if I had one goal in life and that one goal was suddenly taken away. How would I respond to that change, and would I still be able to find happiness? This is a book that held me tightly in its grasp and did not let me go until I discovered what Callie found, her own secret to happiness.
Disclaimer
Discloure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell via Netgalley. I also purchased my own copy to enjoy again and again! I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

Delicious book!

Suzanne Woods Fisher is currently my favorite author. Her books, whether contemporary or Amish, are full of interesting characters with their own foibles and troubles, looking for real peace and happiness, like us all. The Secret to Happiness takes this up a notch. Some of the characters appear in the first book of the series, The Sweet Life, also a few cameo appearances from the Three Sisters Islands series, but the book would read just fine standalone. I really liked the book and found the 'course' content from the Happiness Course quite interesting for my own life. I can't recommend the book more highly!!!

Thank you to the publisher who lent me an e-arc via Netgalley. This review is optional and my own opinion.

Thanks netgalley for a free advanced copy of The Secret of Happiness to read and review. I had been so excited to dive back into the world of Cape Cod creamery with Marnie & Dawn and this book did not disappoint! It's charming and funny and talks about one of my favorite foods, ice cream! Suzanne Woods Fisher, you constantly amaze me! Can't wait for the next one.

I have come to look forward to Suzanne Woods Fisher's wonderful inspirational stories. I enjoy her writing, especially her realistic and likable but yet flawed characters with real life problems to get through. Callie Dixon has always been successful at anything that she does. She is a perfectionist, but one mistake has cost her her job and she is in a bad place. When she and her Aunt Marnie connect, it was her ticket out of town. She invited herself to visit Marnie and her cousin Dawn on Cape Cod where the two run an ice cream shop. Dawn has always been jealous of her cousin, so she wasn't excited about Callie's visit. But Callie is not her usual perky person and stays in bed all day. Dawn talks Callie into attending a class every Saturday on the secret to happiness, taught by a local professor and author. But Dawn doesn't know the whole story about Callie. Callie made one friend in little six-year-old, Leo, the cowboy, whom we met in the first story along with other characters. The two spend time each day together after he gets out of school and sometimes before school. The professor and Callie also have some interesting conversations. I found this to be an emotional and thought-provoking novel with many wonderful ideas about overcoming fears and finding happiness, which comes from within each of us, and finding faith. Lovely ending that tied many loose ends together. I highly recommend this book, but it is better having read the first book, in my opinion.
I received a copy for the purpose of an honest review. These are my thoughts only.