The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley by Courtney Walsh ~ Book Review

Isadora Bentley is facing her thirtieth birthday alone by choice.  Deciding she will celebrate with a good feed of junk food she heads to the grocery store.  While at the till, she sees a magazine featuring an article entitled "Thirty One Ways to Be Happy".  Being decidedly unhappy, on a whim Isadora tosses the magazine onto the pile.  After all maybe, just maybe, her quiet, organized, lonely life might need a boost.  After reading the article and being quite skeptical of both the author and the suggestions, the university researcher in Isadora decides to make a secret research project out of the whole thing to prove both the article and it's author false.  As she takes on the different steps outlined in the article and it brings her into contact with a host of characters that seem to have the happiness that eludes her and want to prove her wrong,  Isadora finds that maybe there may be something to this ridiculous list after all, if only she could open herself to it.  

I loved this story.  I was immediately caught up into Isadora's world where she had built a wall around herself to protect her heart both professionally and personally as she was previously very hurt in both areas of her life.  Her determination to prove it all wrong leads to some really hilarious and heartfelt moments throughout the story.  I found myself laughing and shedding tears for her throughout.  Her character caused me as the reader to have someone to really root for hoping she would find happiness somewhere out of the list. The author did a good job of moving the story along and letting the reader into all the confusing emotions Isadora was going through in her journey.   The humor is witty and yet there were many deep  and smart moments that causes the reader to pause and think.  It was a sweet, enlightening and fun read.

Rating:  10/10