A Happier Life by Kristy Woodson Harvey – a Review

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Description:
A tender and touching novel about a young woman who discovers the family she has always longed for when she spends a life-changing summer in North Carolina.

Present Keaton Smith is desperate for a fresh start. So when her mother needs someone to put her childhood home in Beaufort, North Carolina, on the market—the home that Keaton didn’t know existed until now—she jumps at the chance to head south. Keaton’s grandparents died in a tragic car accident before she was born, so she’s eager to learn more about the family she never met. But even though she has help from her charming next-door-neighbor, his precocious ten-year-old son, and a flock of endearingly feisty town busybodies, Keaton soon finds that she has more questions than answers.

1976: After meeting her adoring husband Townsend, Rebecca “Becks” Saint James abandoned the life she knew and never looked back. Forty years later, she’s made a name for herself as the best hostess North Carolina has ever seen. Her annual summer suppers have become the stuff of legend, and locals and out-of-towners alike clamor for an invitation to her stunning historic home. But she’s struggling behind the façade. Becks strives to make the lives of those around her as easy as possible, but this summer she is facing a dilemma that even she can’t solve. And as the end of the season looms, she is brought to a decision she never wanted to make.

As both Keaton and Becks face new challenges and chapters, they are connected through time by the house on Sunset Lane, which has protected the secrets, hopes, and dreams of the women in their family for generations. For fans of Summer of ‘69 and The Notebook , Last Summer on Sunset Lane explores the power of family, the bonds of friendship, and the boundless nature of love.

Review:

A Happier Life by Kristy Woodson Harvey is another wonderful story that we have come to expect from Harvey.  Keaton Smith, has been fired from her successful job; and her mother asks her to travel to Beaufort, North Carolina (her childhood home) to clean up the home that hasn’t been lived in for decades.  Keaton’s mother and uncle have never returned to that home, after the death of their parents; and once it’s cleaned up, Keaton will put it on the market to sell. There are two POV’s in this story, the present and in the past, 1970’s.

Rebecca (Becks) and Townsend fell in love, and despite her family not accepting that her husband was of a different religion, she married Townsend having a wonderful marriage. Rebecca Saint James became a household name in Beaufort, as the best hostess in North Carolina, with her annual suppers and local parties; with everyone hoping to get invitations to their historic home. Keaton finds her journals, and begins to learn about Becks wonderful life with Townsend for more than 40 years.  Her grandparents died in a car accident, and Keaton was determined to discover what really happened all those years ago.

Keaton quickly meets a number of friends of Becks, who recognize her as she looks like Becks, and they go out of their way to make her feel welcome.  A friendship with these wonderful older ladies, escalates as she learns more about Becks; keeping the memory of Becks and the wonderful things she did all these years.  Keaton works hard to clean the place, and even her newfound friends would come over and help her.  She also meets her next-door neighbor, Bowen and his wonderful adoring son, Anderson; which will lead to a slow burn romance, and her feelings about possibly staying in Beaufort.

A Happier Life is a wonderful journey with fascinating chapters revolving around Keaton in present day and Becks from the past, learning more about what happened to Keaton’s grandparents when they died. It was nice to see Keaton’s brother show up, and help her find more clues to solve the mystery. I love how Keaton begins feel at home, especially with Becks friends and how much they all loved Rebecca Saint James.

A Happier Life was such a heartwarming and wonderful story that was so very well written by Kristy Woodson Harvey.  If you enjoy a story of family, bonds of friendships, and the love of two generations; you should read this book. 

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher