The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley: A heartfelt and humorous story of overcoming loneliness and finding yourself
Original price was: $17.99.$9.89Current price is: $9.89.
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.
From the brand
Small Town Literary Hero
Courtney Walsh is a New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of low-spice romance and women’s fiction.
New Releases
So begins…
A near-death experience catapults a workaholic junior editor into changing her life—one yes at a time.
Everything’s Coming Up Rosie
Sometimes what you think you want and what you actually want turn out to be different things . . .
Does happiness exist?
Isadora Bentley believes that happiness is something that flat-out doesn’t exist in her life—and never will.
Publisher : Thomas Nelson
Publication date : June 13, 2023
Language : English
Print length : 368 pages
ISBN-10 : 0840712804
ISBN-13 : 978-0840712806
Item Weight : 10.4 ounces
Dimensions : 5.5 x 1.15 x 8.35 inches
Best Sellers Rank: #25,600 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #16 in Contemporary Christian Romance #195 in Clean & Wholesome Romance (Books) #2,436 in Contemporary Romance (Books)
Customer Reviews: 4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 2,391 ratings var dpAcrHasRegisteredArcLinkClickAction; P.when(‘A’, ‘ready’).execute(function(A) { if (dpAcrHasRegisteredArcLinkClickAction !== true) { dpAcrHasRegisteredArcLinkClickAction = true; A.declarative( ‘acrLink-click-metrics’, ‘click’, { “allowLinkDefault”: true }, function (event) { if (window.ue) { ue.count(“acrLinkClickCount”, (ue.count(“acrLinkClickCount”) || 0) + 1); } } ); } }); P.when(‘A’, ‘cf’).execute(function(A) { A.declarative(‘acrStarsLink-click-metrics’, ‘click’, { “allowLinkDefault” : true }, function(event){ if(window.ue) { ue.count(“acrStarsLinkWithPopoverClickCount”, (ue.count(“acrStarsLinkWithPopoverClickCount”) || 0) + 1); } }); });
E.Rae –
All the good feels
This book has all the feels. I cried several times, but in a good way. I think I related a lot to the MC, and her breakthrough was so real and so valid, it was like therapy in the best way. I’ve already read two more of Courtney Walsh’s books, so I don’t remember all the details of The Happy Life, but I had to write a review because it’s my rule as an aspiring fellow author to always write a review for a book that entertains and impacts me, so I had to make sure and come back for this one! So worth the read, and probably a reread down the road. Five stars all the way, for a story that touches your heart as it pulls you in.
Meagan | The Chapter House –
4/5 stars
This book is hilarious! If you’re looking for a light-hearted, entertaining, humorous read that will make you laugh on nearly every page–this is absolutely it. Courtney Walsh is near the top of her author game here.A few off notes for me:- I noticed a couple references to “your truth” and “honoring your feelings” (the former, a pet peeve of mine, and the latter, one I’m still working out in my head).- Faith doesn’t make an appearance at all (surprising, for a Thomas Nelson book–but a trend with this publisher I’ve noticed more and more of late, unfortunately).- In that vein, there was a lot of talk about how happiness is dependent on each of us. I definitely agree with this to a point; we each choose how we react, our attitudes, (not) to hold grudges based on the events of our lives, etc.: “Doing the work” is up to each of us. And temporal happiness/fulfillment can and does look different for each of us; a career (for example) that enthralls one person may be quite the opposite for someone else. On the same token, eternal joy/peace/fulfillment are sourced in Christ, and I would have loved to see that represented on the page in this read, a preference largely stemming from prior experience with both the author and publisher (see previous bullet).Still–that aside, the book is entirely wonderful, and I did come away challenged in many of the same ways as Isadora (and Delilah, for that matter–a ten-year-old secondary character who nearly steals the show several times!). I would definitely read it again!I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Nicole S. –
I Adore This Story!!! Loved Every Minute, and Definitely Recommend!!!
Happiness is a choice…this is the premise to The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley by Courtney Walsh, and one I agree with wholeheartedly. I struggled to read this story, not because it is slow or boring or unrealistic, but because it was like holding a mirror up to myself and I didn’t fully enjoy what I saw. Yes, happiness is a choice, and for the last 30 years Isadora Bentley has been choosing self-isolation and stoicism. Her rationale is simple: if you don’t let people in and you don’t feel anything, you can’t get hurt. But all this does is make one a robotic loner. Isadora hasn’t been living. She’s been barely surviving. On her 30th birthday, Isadora reads a “31-Steps-to-a-Happier-You” article and sets out to disprove the author by running an experiment. She will complete each task and track her data. Isadora is convinced her experiment will prove the article foolish. As she embarks on this purely scientific journey, Isadora meets and befriends some truly amazing people, and they all influence her life in nuanced and various ways for the better. Isadora now gets out of her apartment regularly to do things like yoga and kite-flying and visiting family. She has real, deep conversations about life and experiences and hardships and love and goals and other sundry topics. Over the course of trying to prove the article wrong, Isadora wakes up to an actual life. I must admit that I love/hate Isadora. There were moments I 100% fully understood and related to her. There were moments I wanted to hug her hard and share all my hard truths so she would know she wasn’t alone. There were moments I full-out cheered for her. And then there were several moments where I wanted to knuckle-punch her hard right in the arm. The more like a baby she acted and the more she stood in her own way, the more I wanted to scream at her to stop being a goober and grow up. But then I realized two things: 1.) I needed to take it down a notch as this is a fictional tale and Isadora isn’t real (maybe look at myself instead, Nicole); and, 2.) Walsh is a genius storyteller who has mastered illustrating, through Isadora, how humans who embark on a journey to change often take one teensy baby-step forward, then 12 adult-sized steps back. Once I got this, I gave Isadora some grace because changing one’s self for the better is HARD work. It’s why so many people don’t change — inevitably, it proves to be too much work to complete day in and day out.I really loved my time reading The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley. This story is solid good storytelling. The characters are fabulous and human and multi-faceted. The journey is tough, but fun and totally worth it. And the many, many themes discussed are timely and poignant. I cannot recommend this book enough. If you’re in the mood for emotions and hope and love and change and happily-ever-after then this is definitely the book for you!I purchased a copy of this novel in eBook form from Amazon.com on June 27, 2023. I am under no obligation to leave a positive review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Julianne Harris –
this book was a very pleasant surprise to me!
I love this book so much! It’s the first fiction book that I ever highlighted and wrote down notes from to consider later. I never write reviews for a book but I wanted to this time because I appreciate the authors insight so much. This book has helped me confront things from my own past that I have carried with me for my entire life. But mostly it has empowered me to realize that I don’t have to let those who hurt me in the past live rent free in my head anymore, that I can release them and let them go, forever this time. I had no idea that this book was going to affect me this much but all I can say is thank you to the author because it has really changed my life. I know that the choice to be happy is completely up to me now and that those whom I share my life with, just add more depth to the happiness. I am no longer living life as a victim and that wall of isolation that I thought was protecting me, was really a self constructed prison of isolation loneliness and misery. If you have any “junk” from the past you wish to be rid of, I highly recommend this book.
Katie –
Loved it!
Beautiful story. It was fun and moving and made me think. I fell in love with every character – except for Alex of course – and wish I could be part of the lunch crew. I finished reading this bpok wanting ot be more in charge of my own happiness and burn the things holding me back!CleanNo languageFun read!
Avid Reader –
Isadora is real, hilarious (although most of the time that’s accidental) and is loveable in all her awkwardness. She sets out to disprove a tabloid magazine writer wrong about finding happiness in 31 steps. Her research, however, proves that possibly, just maybe, she could be wrong. Isadora’s ability to say exactly what she’s thinking is priceless and something that I believe all introverts can relate to. This is a brilliant novel about finding happiness, not just with others but within yourself. I was moved to tears a few times and laughed out loud many more. This is, by far, the best book I’ve read this year.
Mandy P –
From the moment I opened this book I was hooked. I went through the entire spectrum of emotions. This book brought me so much joy! I was laughing out loud all the way through- Issy is so funny, the story so engaging (and I could hear David Attenborough in my head…😆) I think everyone has a little bit of Isadora in them and we could all benefit by making a list of things to intentionally embrace being happy in our lives! Courtney knocked it out the park with this one!! Brilliant read from start to finish!
Elizabeth V. –
I don’t know if I can adequately explain how much I loved this book. I went into this read blind to the subject matter and I think that made it that much more meaningful. I was given the opportunity to follow the arch of the storyline and be surprised at each turn. That being said, I can’t review without spilling some details so read on with that knowledge.This book is deep and meaningful and funny and smart and like a perfectly crafted arch, takes you through the few months following Isadora’s 30th birthday.A woman who has decided she is better on her own, Isadora sees a list of how to be happy and sets out to disprove it. She’s a woman of research after all, she knows science and trusts in data implicitly.As her research begins to take shape, she sees what happens when a solitary person begins to grow her circle socially and professionally.It made me laugh. It made me cover my mouth in surprise (and second hand embarrassment), and it made my heart ache as Isadora explores how her childhood and beyond experiences have built a barricade around her heart.As a woman who was in the research world for two years, I can tell you, having your name on published research is the ultimate goal. It drives everything and often determines the funding you’ll receive and the recognition you get as a researcher.I felt for Isadora as she recounts how she had been wronged and found myself cheering as her new circle shows up for her in ways no one had before.I wish I could re-read this again with fresh eyes because it’s just that good.
Llama –
No protection for the book at all. Even though the delivery was prompt, the book is bent and has a scratch, as if it has been used. Disappointed!
Parkland Mom –
Read via Kindle. 4 stars.This book started out kind of slow for me and I admittedly did not like Isadora much. I was disappointed that it did not have the Christian faith aspect in the story that I expect for Christian fiction.At about 40% through, the story caught fire for me and then I really enjoyed it. The progression of growth and realization of a character I didn’t care for took me by surprise and I grew to respect her and like her very much.It reminded me of that old adage about how we never know what the person next to us is going through—and to be kind. It’s something I’ve always believed and practiced but I deserved a kick in the tail. I realized that I need to brush up on that. (Thank-you, Isadora.)I must say that I was ready to jump up and punch my fist in the air when she finally speaks up for herself to someone who betrayed her. I think we’ve all been hurt by someone and regret that we didn’t speak up at the time and deal with it head on.This book has a lot of bluntness, humour, endearing moments, true friendship, and it blossomed from a small bud to a huge, gorgeous flower that brings a smile to one’s face by simply experiencing it. 🌻