The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley: A Heartfelt and Humorous Story of Overcoming Loneliness and Finding Yourself

By Courtney Walsh

Book Overview

She's out to prove that there's no such thing as choosing happiness. Full of heart, humor, and tenderness, The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley is a story of found family with a slow-burn, kisses-only romance. Perfect for fans of Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine and The Rosie Project.

Isadora Bentley follows the rules. Isadora Bentley likes things just so. Isadora Bentley believes that happiness is something that flat-out doesn't exist in her life--and never will.

As a university researcher, Isadora keeps to herself as much as possible. She avoids the students she's supposed to befriend and mentor. She stays away from her neighbors and lives her own quiet, organized life in her own quiet, organized apartment. And she will never get involved in a romantic relationship again--especially with another academic. It will be just Isadora and her research. Forever.

But on her thirtieth birthday, Isadora does something completely out of character. The young woman who never does anything "on a whim" makes an impulse purchase of a magazine featuring a silly article detailing "Thirty-One Ways to Be Happy"--which includes everything from smiling at strangers to exercising for endorphins to giving in to your chocolate cravings. Isadora decides to create her own secret research project--proving the writer of the ridiculous piece wrong.

As Isadora gets deeper into her research--and meets a handsome professor along the way--she's stunned to discover that maybe, just maybe, she's proving herself wrong. Perhaps there's actually something to this happiness concept, and possibly there's something to be said for loosening up and letting life take you somewhere . . . happy.

With humor, heart, and irresistible warmth, The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley reminds us that true happiness often arrives when we least expect it. As Isadora's carefully ordered world turns delightfully upside down, she discovers that life--and love--can't be measured, only lived. If you crave stories that make you laugh, tear up, and believe in second chances at joy, this one's for you.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0840712804
• ISBN13: 9780840712806
• Release Date: June 2023
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson
• Length: 368 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.5" x 5.6" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

delightful rom-com

This book was exactly what I needed to get over the brief reading slump I had entered. Such a fun, fun book! When I first started reading, I had to do a double-take to remind myself that I was reading a Courtney Walsh novel. I’ve read a handful of her books and loved them but this fresh, laugh-out-loud, poignant romantic comedy is different from her previous books. And I absolutely loved it from the beginning to end! Isadora's delightfully quirky, witty, hilarious, honest, and self-deprecating first person voice will charm you and make you cry all sorts of tears - tears from hysterical laughter and tears of empathy, sadness, pain, self-realization, and (of course) happiness and worth. There isn't a faith thread in the story but it is a clean read. Isadora is unforgettable. Though an introvert in a self-imposed isolation, she braves the outside world for the sake of research and discovers more than what she bargained or hoped for. The eclectic group of friends she collects is as unforgettable as Isadora. And Cal.... I loved his gentle but unrelenting pursuit of Isadora. His tender heart, passion for the human connection, and enchanting whimsical ways made him perfect for Isadora. This is one of the best rom-coms I've read. I received the book from Thomas Nelson via NetGalley and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.