When I first received the email about this book, I was expecting something else. Something didn’t sit right with me and shortly I realized it was manipulative. DNF

Are you ready to take charge of your happiness? Matt O’Neill’s Good Mood Revolution: Igniting the Power of Conscious Happiness is an insightful and uplifting guide to mastering your emotions and cultivating long-term joy.

O’Neill breaks down the eight negative emotions—shame, guilt, hopelessness, sadness, fear, desire, anger, and pride—that often hold us back. Instead of letting these emotions control our lives, he offers practical strategies to transform our mindset, such as mindfulness, gratitude, and self-awareness. His approach makes happiness a conscious choice rather than a fleeting feeling.

What makes this book stand out is its actionable advice. O’Neill doesn’t just talk about positivity—he provides a roadmap for overcoming negativity and reshaping your emotional state. The book is engaging, easy to follow, and packed with real-world applications that can help anyone looking to improve their mindset.

If you’re searching for a fresh perspective on happiness and emotional well-being, Good Mood Revolution is a must-read. It’s a powerful reminder that happiness isn’t something that happens to us—it’s something we create.

This book offers much to appreciate- I am a big believer in perspective and gratitude, and shifting thought paradigms to reach a place in happiness and acceptance in circumstances. It is an easy and comfortable read in a lot of ways, if that makes sense.

That being said, I didn't realize the author would be approaching the concepts he presents through a religious thought paradigm and that is something that does not resonate with me. Spiritually perhaps but religious/god, no. Had I known that, it isn't. a book I would have chosen to read, necessarily.

For those who are not bothered by that though, or if it's in keeping with one's faith, I think this is a great read!

Actionable and simple steps to improve your mood, which will change your life! It's so easy to have an all-or-nothing attitude, either we are happy or not happy. This book helps you identify patterns and choices that can help us keep things in perspective and live our best lives.

Similar to Brene Brown and Simon Sinek, this was an interesting read touching on a lot of different pieces of our lives and how we can shape our minds to be in a 'Good Mood'. So often, we see the negative or those items piling against us and through this lens and reading this story - we find alternatives. Great book for self-reflection and working against the outside world's views and doubting ourself.

Thank you to NetGalley for lending me a copy. I selected this after seeing it offered in an email. I didn't read the books description to well and made the classic mistake of judging the book by its cover.
I'm into self help books and psychology so I thought this would be a long these lines. It is not. Ironic maybe that the cover has a match because the author gaslights the reader into giving up person responsibility for their emotions and ask us to place all our trust in God to guide us right and fix everything.

It was painful to finish but I did looking for any good advice and over and over again it wasn't actually things to do, just stories. Live being so sad with the " negative emotions" and so much better with God and the " positive emotions."
There no actual help, just change your mind.

Why "chose" to feel shame, guilt, hopeless, sadness, fear, desire, anger, and pride, when you can just "choese" to feel humility, responsibility, confidence, acceptance, gratitude, love, joy, and peace?
Damn it's so easy, right?

Navigating life and our emotions and the emotions of our loved ones is hard, but telling people the normal things they feel based on what's happening to them in their live, is because they don't have a connection to God is straight up harmful. Potentially causing more guilt.
And could lead to dismissing others going through.

A better title for this book would have been “Baby’s Guide to Emotions”. After a misleading introduction in which the author waxes philosophically about his depth of research and experience, he then backtracks and provides the most basic, common sense information. I went into this convinced I was going to learn something new about negative emotions and how to manage them, but instead the author provides a kindergarten-level description of emotions, interspersed with anecdotal stories illustrating the various emotions. This is surface level stuff and I’d only recommend it to those looking for a quick, light self-help read. On second thought, maybe this book would be better suited to a male audience or for those for whom basic emotional intelligence does not come naturally.

Also, this book is littered with references to “god” and what god wants, what pleases god, etc. in relation to your emotions. In every instance, these references could have been removed and the same general message conveyed. It was an unnecessary insertion of the author’s beliefs that made me question the integrity of the author’s knowledge and research entirely. This book needs to be marketed to Christian males as its target audience. That’s the only area I see it having success.

"Good Mood Revolution" by Matt O’Neill offers a compelling framework for understanding and cultivating lasting happiness. The core premise centers on the idea that our emotional landscape is primarily shaped by eight "bad moods" – pride, anger, desire, fear, sadness, hopelessness, guilt, and shame.

The author provides valuable insights into the root causes of these negative emotions and offers practical strategies for overcoming them. By recognizing these patterns and developing a deeper understanding of our emotional triggers, we can cultivate a more positive and fulfilling inner experience.
Furthermore, the book emphasizes the importance of cultivating eight "good moods" – peace, joy, love, gratitude, acceptance, confidence, responsibility, and humility. The author effectively demonstrates how these positive emotions can transform our relationships, improve our decision-making, and enhance our overall well-being.

Strengths:

Practical Advice: The book offers a wealth of practical advice and actionable steps for readers to implement in their daily lives.
Personal Anecdotes: The author effectively utilizes personal anecdotes to illustrate key concepts and make the material relatable.
Clear and Concise: The writing style is engaging and easy to understand, making the complex topic of emotional regulation accessible to a wide audience.

Potential Limitations:
Faith-Based Perspective: The author's perspective is grounded in a strong faith in God, which may not resonate with all readers.

Overall:
Despite the potential limitation of its faith-based perspective, "Good Mood Revolution" offers valuable insights and practical guidance for anyone seeking to improve their emotional well-being. The book's emphasis on self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and cultivating positive emotions provides a solid foundation for personal growth and lasting happiness.

Recommendation:
I recommend this book to anyone interested in personal development, emotional regulation, and cultivating a more positive and fulfilling life.

Thank you to NetGalley and Advantage Books for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Advantage Books and NetGalley for this ARC in return of my honest review.

Influenced by Dr David Hawkins and his “Map of Consciousness” , Matt O’Neill suggests an alternative to living an “okay” life, providing a path to achieving “lasting happiness” through his ladder of moods.

I question the efficacy of wanting to seeking to achieve lasting happiness in life as I don’t believe this is a sustainable or even healthy striving given that to enjoy happiness we also need to embrace the sorrows and all that comes with a truly lived life. Seeking to be always happy is unsustainable and can set one up for a life of striving for the unobtainable.

Matt explains the role of Ego and how this manifests through moods, particularly bad ones. The aim, states Matt is to become aware of the ego and its manipulative tactics and then let them go,

There was some great information, particularly for readers who are not familiar with thought work or the working of the ego.
Matt provides the pathway to implementing our “good moods” through a spiritual lens.

Matt O'Neill not only writes the self-help book with real life examples, but also adds in very simple prompts for you to think about to help you grow your happiness. This is a great book if you're looking to grow yourself.

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read an Advanced Readers Copy in exchange for an honest review.

Good Mood Revolution is a well written self help book with first person experience. It was very straightforward and eye opening! You can tell the author has done the work.

Interesting and informative read on how to focus, get, maintain and keep a good mood for yourself. Good personal stories woven in and exercises to do. Interesting IRS story and how it was handled. Thank you to Netgalley, Advantage Books and the Author for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Good Mood Revolution by Matt O’Neill is a self-help book with a big heart. Through personal stories, reflection prompts, and spiritual reflections, O’Neill offers guidance on how to build resilience, embrace authenticity, and find hope even during tough times. It is the kind of book that feels more like a conversation with a caring friend than a structured guide, which is both its charm and, for some, its limitation.

What I Loved: Warmth and Practical Reflection

The standout feature of this book is its authenticity. O’Neill writes from the heart, sharing his own struggles and triumphs in a way that invites readers to do the same. There is something deeply comforting about reading a book that does not pretend life is easy but instead encourages you to embrace the process of growth.

The prompts scattered throughout the book are a great highlight. They encourage you to pause, reflect, and engage with your own thoughts and feelings. If you are willing to reflect, there is potential for growth here.

Where It Missed the Mark: Religious Emphasis

A recurring theme in the book is the focus on God and faith. O’Neill frequently suggests asking God for help or reminds readers that life belongs to God. While these reflections are clearly deeply personal to him, they may not resonate with all readers. For some, the constant emphasis on spirituality may feel overwhelming or out of step with their own worldview, which risks alienating parts of the audience who might otherwise benefit from the book’s broader themes.

What Makes It Worthwhile

What stays with you, however, is the sincerity. This is not a book designed to tell you what to do but rather to walk beside you as you navigate life’s challenges. It feels real, like advice from someone who genuinely wants to see you thrive. Add to this the self-reflection prompts, and you have a tool that anyone can use to find a little clarity and hope.

Final Thoughts

Good Mood Revolution is not a perfect guide, and it does not need to be. It offers heartfelt support for those looking to reflect, grow, and embrace life with a fresh perspective. While some readers may find the religious focus difficult to connect with, its warmth, authenticity, and practical advice will leave a good impression.

If you are looking for a book that feels like a helping hand through hard times, this could be just the thing. Come to it with an open heart, and you will leave with a clearer sense of direction and self-worth.

A heartfelt thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I appreciated the author's personal stories of his mistakes on the path toward business and personal success. The advice in this book is certainly sound. I do, however, believe this is more of an introductory guide for someone who hasn't yet done a great deal of self-evaluation or inner work. Start here, sure, but I do recommend moving on to Tracy, Rohn, Robbins, etc. for a more advanced approach to self-improvement and the positive results on happiness, general success, and mood. Good Mood Revolution reads more like a primer.

A Pep Talk For Your Brain

Okay, so I picked up "Good Mood Revolution" thinking, “Maybe I’ll get a couple of tips to feel better.” What I didn’t expect was a book that would actually make me rethink how I approach my entire day—without making it feel like a chore.

You know those books that just get you? This one feels like the author sat down, looked at all the little things that drain our energy and joy, and said, “Here’s how to fix this—easily.” It’s not just “be positive!” or “go work out!” (thank goodness). Instead, it’s full of small, practical ideas you can start today—and they work.

Here are a few things that really hit home for me:

Food matters more than you think. We’ve all heard “you are what you eat.” But the way the author connects food and mood just clicked for me. Little changes, like adding more real, energizing food, can make such a difference. And no, they’re not asking you to go full-on kale smoothies unless you want to.
Move, but in a way that feels good. No one’s telling you to run a marathon (phew). It’s more about moving your way—stretching, walking, dancing in your kitchen. I tried a 10-minute walk when I hit that afternoon slump, and honestly? It worked.
Rethink your thoughts. Although it appears straightforward, interrupting negative spirals and changing my perspective has been transformative. It’s like giving your brain a breather.
What I loved most is how doable everything feels. This isn’t one of those “change your life overnight!” books. It’s more like, “Hey, try this. You’ll feel better.”

If you’re someone who’s been feeling a little “blah” lately, or even just looking to boost your energy and mindset, I can’t recommend this book enough. It’s part science, part pep talk, and all super practical. You’ll put it down feeling like you can actually build a better mood—one small, easy step at a time.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was a quick read with some interesting facts. The stories were great as examples. I enjoyed the book, but the ideas were nothing new. It was put together strategically and made a lot of sense

I would recommend this book

Thanks to NetGalley and Advantage Books for this advanced reader copy. This is my honest opinion.

"'Tis the season" for joy and laughter, which I employ daily. Truly! I am a mostly happy person who shares good things with people in my sphere of influence; this book would not be among my good tidings. I do not bear this author ill will, I just don't agree with a plug into happiness whenever you need or want it. Life presents challenges which may seem insurmountable at times... they prompt us to seek something more but there is no magic formula to maintaining true happiness all of the time. If this book helps others cope with the challenges that they face, I applaud the author for his contribution, no matter my personal feelings.

Matt O'Neill's book promises to turn happiness into a learnable skill, focusing on eight primary bad moods—shame, guilt, hopelessness, sadness, fear, desire, anger, and pride—and offering strategies to overcome them. Then focuses on eight primary good moods—humility, responsibility, confidence, acceptance, gratitude, love, joy and peace—and showing how we often lie and self-sabotage, then providing a truth to counter and overcome each lie. The author's approach of contrasting each negative mood with its positive counterpart provides an intriguing perspective on emotional management.

O'Neill's writing is direct and accessible, making emotional concepts digestible. The book's brevity is both a strength and a weakness. Concise chapters provide quick, actionable guidance, but readers seeking deep psychological insights might find the treatment superficial. The God-centered approach adds a spiritual dimension that will resonate differently with various readers.

The most valuable aspect is its emphasis on personal agency. O'Neill reinforces that we are active creators of our internal emotional landscape, offering techniques for cultivating confidence and breaking free from negativity. However, the book doesn't break significant new ground in the self-help genre, with many concepts feeling familiar to seasoned personal development readers.

"Good Mood Revolution" serves as a solid primer for individuals beginning their journey of emotional self-improvement. It's a quick read that provides practical lessons and a framework for understanding and managing one's emotional state. The book's greatest strength lies in its accessibility and its core message: happiness is not something to be chased, but something to be consciously created using the tools (and downloadable exercises) he provides.

A big thank you to Advantage Books and NetGalley for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book is totally fine, but it's just another way of saying what people have been advising for years: don't listen to that angry inner voice, be mindful and in the moment, and focus on what you can control. I don't love the suggestions that this is all it takes to be happy, but I can accept that this might put you in a good mood once in a while. I think this is best for people who don't suffer from chronic depression or anxiety.

Good Mood Revolution gives simple tips for living a happier life but at times these tips are a bit too simple for my liking. The book paints a picture in which simply choosing to be in a good mood gives the desired result. Maybe it is for some, but I believe this to be a bit more complicated.

Some of the advice relating to perspective shifting is useful, such as: "the difference between excitement and anxiety is the story you tell yourself about the sensations you feel". Other advice, like the chapter on responsibility, suggests choosing not to be a victim and becomes reminiscent of the lessons of the NXIVM cult where participants were shamed for "choosing" to be the victims of such heinous crimes as sexual assault. This is a dangerous road to go down and this book goes all in without even a mention that there ae situations where you might truly be a victim.

Additionally, the book consistently touts that if you trust in God good moods will follow. By no means is this the sole focus of the book, nor does it come without actionable advice, but it was an unexpected element. Most self help books do include a spiritual aspect, however the religious implications here may be off putting to certain audiences of different faiths.

Overall, the simple exercises throughout the book are helpful but the core message of "choosing" a good mood ignores the more complicated nature of life.