Rating: 4.5 Stars

Both Klara and Alex were struggling in different ways, but things started looking up when they found each other.

I honestly wasn't sure what I was expecting, but this was such a fun, sweet, and touching tale. Let me get this out of the way, the shared calendar was wonderful! What an interesting way for a couple to communicate and connect. Some of the entries were precious while others created some rather laughable moments. Regardless, it was a unique and standout part of this story for me.

All that aside, Klara and Alex really were the stars of this tale. I instantly wanted to hug and protect them because it was easy to see both were kind of stuck and experiencing some personal difficulties.

Klara had moved from Sweden to England with many aspirations, but the pieces had yet to fall into place for her. When her family asked her to return to Sweden while her father underwent chemotherapy, Klara really had to go outside of her comfort zone. This effort paid off in a big way for Klara as she discovered a lot about herself and grew tremendously. I was so happy for her and proud of everything she accomplished. It was not easy, but Klara succeeded in more ways than she could ever have imagined.

One of the benefits of being back in Sweden was meeting Alex. He had been battling his mental health issues since his brother's death. Getting a job was the first of many steps in the right direction, and the universe worked some magic when it brought him to Klara's business. Though it was a bit rocky at first, a beautiful friendship grew between Alex and Klara. It was really wonderful the way Alex embraced the whole of Klara and delighted in her quirks. Klara finally found someone worthy of her, and I simply adored seeing these two grow fonder of each other.

The story was packed with lots of smile-worthy rom-com moments which were made even better with a great cast of characters. Zetterberg also did a lovely job incorporating heavier topics without weighing down the story. The combination of heavy and light was perfectly balanced resulting in a fun and fantastic reading experience.

Overall, I am so glad I had this opportunity to travel to Sweden with Klara. It was a pleasure rooting for her as she pushed beyond her boundaries which resulted in self-discovery while also leading to her finding love and clarity for her future.

This one read a little different for me. Some of the story was told through calendar events between Klara and Alex for their burgeoning relationship, google searches for Klara to get answers to navigate life and emails for Alex to wade through his grief. I thought Klara was a strong woman when not doubting herself. Alex had to fight his way through depression and came out the other side. They both complimented one another for crossing their hurdles. I reviewed this advanced copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest feedback

I really enjoyed this book. I was immediately invested in the characters and loved the quick witted banter. I loved that this book was centered around a neurodivergent character showing her support based on love and acceptance rather than pity. I would love to be able to read more books like this and highly recommend. Thank you to Netgally for the opportunity to read this digital ARC.

There was just something about the blurb of The Happiness Blueprint that had me intrigued, and I was even more excited when I discovered that most of the story was going to be set in Sweden. Add the fact that the story was promising a chronic illness/diabetes rep, and I've been looking forward to travel to Sweden and meet both Klara and Alex. I had high hopes for this story, but sadly I do have to say that there were a couple things that bothered me along the way. I'll try to explain my mixed feelings below.

First of all I have to say that I still love the premise of this debut. Using a dual POV structure, The Happiness Blueprint focuses on both Klara and Alex as they struggle with some recent events. Klara has to return to Sweden to temporarily take over her father's construction company while he undergoes treatment for his cancer... Alex's POV on the other hand focuses on grief and depression in the months after losing his brother to a hit-and-run car accident. As a result, this story is a lot darker than expected, but there are still plenty of lighter moments along the way to balance things out a little.

One of the things I loved most was the chronic illness/diabetes rep. You don't see this often enough in stories, and I loved seeing this thorough representation and how the story showed what it was like living with diabetes 1. The autism rep is also well done, and I liked how it was incorporated into the story. BUT. While I could appreciate the grief and depression element, I wasn't a fan of how it was incorporated into the story at all. Alex's POV was SO extremely annoying to read with the incomplete sentences, and it really put a damper on things for me. I suspect this peculiar writing style was used to describe his current mental state, but instead of quirky it mostly made me angry and reluctant to keep reading his chapters. True, you do get used to it after a while, but that didn't mean the frustration went away.

It also took a lot longer than expected for the two characters to even meet. I don't mind a bit of background first, but it just took too long for me... Especially since the whole miscommunication trope was thrown in afterwards, preventing them from truly building a connection. This whole miscommunication is built on something so stupid as well, and I got SO frustrated with both as basically one question could have solved the whole issue. To make things worse, a love triangle is thrown in, and there wasn't even any chemistry with the third party... And the third-act breakup didn't really help either.

As for the characters themselves... There were things I liked in Klara and Alex, while other parts of their characters hugely frustrated me. Also, can we talk about how toxic Klara's relationship is with the rest of her direct family?! And the whole twist involving who was behind the hit-and-run was pretty obvious as well. That said, I did like the whole construction company angle and the role it played in the plot.

As a whole, there were things that worked while other elements didn't quite hit the mark for me. I sadly ended up having mixed thoughts about The Happiness Blueprint... But if you don't think the issues I mentioned will be an issue, this debut will most likely work better for you.

It started a little slow for me and I wasn't sure about it at first. But- it pulled through for me.

This is a relevant and relatable love story. When you find someone that heals your soul, you have to hang on tightly. I love how well we get to know the characters. It's not often that we get to see that deeply into them and how much they grew. I think it would have been a different story had they not worked so much on themselves.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Thank you NetGalley and MIRA for an early arc in exchange for an honest review. This book had a very slow start, but about a quarter of the way through, it started to pick up. Once there was some clarity among the characters, I was able to finally get into the story. My favorite part of the book was the Type One Diabetes representation in this book. As someone who has T1D, this book did a great job of showing the reality of the disease. Overall, this little love story made my heart throb and rooting for Klara and Alex.

If you enjoy a slow buildup to a rather beautiful story, this book is for you. The Happiness Blueprint is a story about two awkward people, Klara and Alex, trying to navigate their way through life.

Alex has suffered a heartbreaking loss and as a result has fallen into a deep depression. Klara suffers from type 1 diabetes and is autistic. When the two meet, an undeniable attraction forms. But can they each clear up the misunderstandings they have perceived regarding each other, put the past behind them and open their hearts to love? Well, you’ll have to read the book to find out.

While the story starts off slow and the main characters don’t meet until deep into the story, the story picks up momentum when Alex and Klara meet. As their personalities and relationship blossom with the turn of each page I found myself becoming more and more interested in the story.

I would have liked the story to evolve quicker. I was a little bored in the beginning of the book. However, the book nicely transitioned into a beautiful love story while also touching on grief, illness, family and navigating life through a series of trials and tribulations.

Thank you to MIRA/Harlequin Publishing, NetGalley and the author, Ally Zetterberg, for providing me with a digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest review.

2.5 stars. I enjoyed the quirkiness of Klara and Alex. The diabetes and autism rep was handled well. Grief management was also done well. I didn't like the insta-crush between Klara and Alex but I found the shared calendar to be incredibly cute. The inevitable third act break-up is VERY heavy. Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an Advanced Readers Copy and the opportunity to share my honest thoughts and opinions on the book.

I know you have to build out characters in stories to get the full picture but this building took too long and could have been cut down and still given the readers an understanding of who the MC are. The first quarter of the book I was confused on where the story was going and it was a bit boring.

Once the two main characters stories started to intertwine, the overall story line picked up too.

Overall though I loved the story and format. It’s set in an unusual setting for me, I don’t read many Rom Coms based in Sweden. The book highlights a neurodivergent couple and I felt like they were well written characters. It was refreshing to read a not so typical Rom Com. Also there was Type One Diabetes representation. It’s not something that is highlighted correctly often enough and I think the author did a great job of writing some of the realities of dealing with this disease. Format wise I enjoyed how the author started each chapter, a Google question for Klara’s and task entries for Alex. It was a fun addition to their characters and the chapter.

Unrelated to the story, but the cover of the book definitely needs work. I know we aren’t supposed to “judge a book by its cover” but let’s be real, we do at least pass an initial judgement by the cover. I like the design of the cover but the graphics need work. I appreciate that they incorporated Klara’s pod into the cover image though, that was very nice to see.

I'll keep this short, but it's not going to be sweet. First of all this was slow slow slow. Honestly not much really happened till about 80% of the book. We dont get to see the main characters meet till its about half the book..... so much back story that in my opinion I could have done without..
Plus the story didn't draw me in, I had to force myself to get through this book; very unlike me. The story deals with loss, finding one's self and putting things in perspective especially when a loved one is lost. How do you go on living?
Yes I would recommend this book but won't be inclined to read it again!

Solid 3 stars!!!!

Thanks Harlequin for the ARC. Very much appreciated.🙏🏾

Klara's and Alex’s stories unfold through a series of miscommunications in this clever and witty novel from debut author Ally Zetterberg that’s about finding acceptance and even love in unexpected places.

This was a super cute story. Not my usual read but I enjoyed it

Thank you so much to NetGalley for the chance to review an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book made me SO HAPPY! It was a slow start but when it took off, everything made sense. I particularly enjoyed the alternating viewpoints and the calendar entries/Google inquiries--BRILLIANT! All of the relationships were portrayed realistically and were believable, while at the same time having a "rom-com" feel. Even the ending was just lovely! Thank you for writing this book!

This is a delicate approach to falling in love. We all come with baggage. Often it’s heavy and unbearable. Despite our best efforts and our families, we still have to push through, extra hard when it gets really tough, to make a new way. This story is refreshing and comforting especially for the managing of grief and severe loss. That aspect made it five stars for me. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this advanced copy in exchange for my review. #TheHappyBlueprint #NetGalley #harlequintradepublishing @allyzetterbergauthor #allyzetterberg #bookstagram #romance

The Happiness Blueprint by Ally Zetterberg
When I first started this book, a novel about Klara, a woman who returns home to Sweeden to take over her dad's construction business while he undergoes chemotherapy, I thought it was bland and slow. I kept reading. I met Alex, a man grieving, guilt ridden, and depressed after the death of his brother. He was interesting, but still the writing seemed flat without a ton of description. As I got to understand these characters more, especially Klara, I realized that Zetterberg had pulled off a deft move in writing the entire novel in the voice of her characters, even the narration, even though it is in the 3rd person. The more I felt for these characters, the faster the pacing, and the more I enjoyed the book. As a therapist I often see people with neurodivergency or mental health issues portrayed as stereotypes and without dimension or grace. Zetterberg was able to fully realize her characters, both the main and supporting, and give them compassion and strength. 4 stars.
Thanks to Net Galley and Harlequin Publishing for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

The Happiness Blueprint is at first glance an easy light-hearted read. Ally Zetterberg has woven in some heavier topics among this rom-com.

Klara feels like she has never fit in to the world or her family. As a type 1 diabetic and a bit different, Klara admits that she feels out of place and awkward.

Alex is carrying guilt that he cannot let go and is processing the sudden and traumatic loss of his brother.

Klara and Alex cannot seem to communicate effectively and finally through the synced calendar on their phones, they get on the same page.

This is a heartfelt story that I enjoyed.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book was so genuine and special! I love the way Klara thinks about things. Her and Alex’s relationship was easy to root for. Thank you so much to NetGalley for letting me read this book early!!

This book was definitely different. Taking place in Sweden was a nice surprise because I felt like I was exploring the setting as a tourist. I will say it started off depressing with a sick father, characters with depression, diabetes, and autism so I wasn’t expecting much. I was pleasantly surprised for a cute connection of characters by the end.

* I was given an advanced copy of this book for my honest review. Thank you NetGalley!

Thank you @netgalley for the ARC of The Happiness Blueprint. This was an enjoyable book of missed connections. It was light and breezy, but also well written. It was also new and refreshing. I really like how the author normalized the characters’s autism and diabetes. They were part of her character, which is refreshing to see more diversity in characters.

Klara is dealing with her father’s illness and becoming his caretaker. Alex is grieving the death of his brother. When Klara hires Alex, they hit it off, but through a series of miscommunications they both think the other isn’t interested.

I kept seeing this title pop up on Bookstagram
so I hoped it would capture my attention. Sadly I wasn't able to get invested in the story very much. It moved slow and at times I was confused as to what was going on. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

3.5 stars!
This book was tough to get into, and when I did I would fall back out and then back it. Like a roller coaster ride. But it was super cute! I would deff recommend it for a quick read.
It wasn’t spicy
It was a duel pov which I always love.

I felt it was missing something I’m just not sure what!