“The Secret to Happiness” Cape Cod Creamery book 2 by Suzanne Woods Fisher
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I was sure I would like this story AND I was not disappointed – I LOVED IT !!
A lot of good advice, tidbits, wrapped up in a story that will keep you reading, just one more chapter ! My emotions were entangled thus my funny bone was tickled and my tear ducks were exercised. And, you can be sure I will be keeping a lookout for more stories by this author. IMHUO (In My Humble Unbiased Opinion) this story is definitely a great selection for a Book Club read. Although this is book 2 in a series, it can be read as a standalone. Happy Reading ! !
Note: This review expresses my honest opinion.
I downloaded my copy of this story via NetGalley.

I have enjoyed every book by this author, and this is no exception. The second in the series, set on Cape Cod in the winter. If you’ve read the first in the series, you’ll recognize most of the characters., the leads being Dawn and Marnie. This book would probably work as a standalone, however I recommend going back and reading the first, especially as it is so good. Cousin to Dawn and niece of Marnie, Callie arrives in Cape Cod a shadow of her former self. Fired from her job as an executive chief, the once bubbly and vivacious Callie now just wants to sleep and avoid others. Dawn and Marnie are a a loss regarding what they can do to help restore Callie to her natural self. The author deals with the issues of depression and serious illness sensitively and with facts. Don’t be put off by the subject matter, this is not a depressing book. You’ll come to know the characters and really root for happy endings. Be aware, there is a lot of ice cream temptation!
Many thanks to netgalley and the publisher for this advance copy, I heartily recommend.

As an FYI the quote attributed to Sheridan Smith, American actress, could you be quoting the English actress with that name?

Callie Dixon, former Executive Chef at a prestigious hotel, finds herself with a summer job at the Penn State Ice Cream School. She was fired from the position of Executive Chef after inadvertently leaving a sauce meant for chicken the next day out on a counter overnight. This resulted in poisoning two hundred attendees at the Food Safety Conference. What a surprise to find her Aunt Marnie is attending an ice cream class. Marnie and her daughter, Dawn, Callie’s favorite cousin, bought an ice cream shop the previous year on Cape Cod.
Because Aunt Marnie notices Callie seems distracted and somewhat lost, she invites her to come and stay with her and Dawn on Cape Cod. Callie readily accepts the invitation, remembering all the fun she and Dawn had together growing up, more like sisters than cousins.
This is an intriguing story as the three women adapt to living together in the small apartment above the ice cream shop. Dawn is busy planning her wedding and Marnie is learning how to make ice cream, and Callie is spending all day in bed, every day, rarely even coming downstairs and when she does she has on Dawn’s bath robe. Dawn tries her best to get Callie out of the funk she is in. She finally insists she attend a class taught by a local author, called The Secret to Happiness. To her surprise, Callie agrees to go.
This story has many moving parts, Six-year-old Leo, the cowboy regularly stops by for some ice cream and to climb up on Callie’s bed and read a book with her. Dawn is diligently searching for a wedding venue for her upcoming wedding; however, nothing seems right. Both Marnie and Dawn continue to fret over Callie unresponsiveness and have no knowledge of her middle of the night trips downstairs on an errand of mercy, which ultimately affects the shop. There are also a few unexpected surprises.
This is a delightful, heartfelt story that once I began reading it, I could not put down. Because I was laughing out loud, a few times I had to pause reading for a few moments.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

About a month ago, I read and reviewed a novel that talked about how to be happy. In many respects this is another novel on the same premise. I don't know if this is a statement about society in general, or if this is the trendy thing to write about. The Secret to Happiness is the second book in the Cape Cod Creamery series by Suzanne Woods Fisher.

Imagine, if you will, that you are at the top of your career, but you make a mistake that ends up harming hundreds of people and you lose your job. Where do you go to lick your wounds? For Callie, that is to go to your favorite aunt's and just bury yourself in misery. Callie's cousin, Dawn, wishes (in the beginning) that Callie had never shown up. There's just too much history and it's a history where Dawn always came in second to Callie, no matter what she did. To get Callie out of her mopes, Dawn makes her go to a class on finding happiness put on by the local community college as an outreach. The instructor of the class makes her look deep within herself to find the roots of her unhappiness and dig out the things that prevent her from being happy.

The approach to finding happiness in the two books I read are quite different. In this book there is a more contemplative approach, whereas in the other one, the approach is more focused on doing things. I find I am more drawn to the contemplative process that lends itself to finding the ways within herself be be happy regardless of circumstances.

I thing every reader's favorite character will be Leo the Cowboy. He is charmingly clueless about social niceties (knocking on doors before entering) while at the same time endearing with the way he gives love so guilelessly. He is a little surprise for Callie that I wish I could write about here, but it would give away a major plot line of the book.

I can easily give this book four stars. It's lighthearted, heart-warming, and fun. At the same time, it's soul-wrenchingly sad in parts. There is a lot to understanding where Callie comes from, what motivates her, and how she overcomes some rather grievous circumstances to come out on top.

Revell Publishing provided the copy I read for this review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

Firstly I would like to thank Revell and the author Suzanne Woods Fisher for access to the secret to happiness.

The review I am going to make is an honest review regardless of the access I received for this book. It should be noted I was not paid for this review and ensure honesty in all my reviews.

Callie is fired after a big mistake and escape to Cape Cod to her aunts home - which is an ice cream shop! She’s is dragged by her cousin to a class about the secret to happiness with an instructor called Bruno… no spoilers here though.

This is a good for your soul novel and very easy to pick up and read. I like the themes of family and forgiveness that run through this book. The cover of this book would caught my eye in a heartbeat on a shop shelf.

Suzanne Woods Fisher is a great go-to when you need good for the heart novels. I love her books so much!

This is a heartwarming return to Cape Cod. Callie arrives after a disastrous mistake. She battles with the depression of her error, but finds the strength of family, friendship, and searching for the secret to happiness. This is a touching story of second chances, recovery, forgiveness, and family.

The second in the Cape Cod Creamery series brings back some of the most memorable characters of The Sweet Life. Loved Leo the cowboy! Readers will empathize with Callie as she goes through depression and seeks the way to happiness. I liked the way Bruno allowed Callie to work through her issues without pushing. Dawn was not very likeable in this story because of her competitiveness and lack of empathy. Loved Marnie, her creativity and compassion. Looking forward to the next book in the series. Recommended!

The Secret to Happiness is Suzanne Woods Fisher’s newest book due out May 2023. I love this cover with all the popsicles on it. Callie Dixon was living her dream job until she accidentally served bad food to a group of 200 people. She was immediately fired and moved in with her aunt at an ice cream shop in Cape Cod. This book is about forgiveness, family, relationships, and second chances. I loved the characters and it’s a great story. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release in exchange for my honest review.