The Secret to Happiness

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.