Callie Dixon has her dream job as an executive chef until a disastrous mistake takes that dream away. She has moved to her aunt’s apartment above the ice cream shop her aunt and cousin Dawn run in the hope of getting her life back together. It’s a struggle though as she not only worries about the loss of her job but possible health issues. Dawn, unaware of all of Callie’s struggles, insists that Callie attend a community class about the secret to happiness run by Bruno Bianco. Callie doesn’t think the class will help but little does she know that her world will be turned upside down again – this time for the better.

I loved “The Secret to Happiness”! Callie’s story pulled me in from the very beginning – she had been through so much in her relatively young life and her struggles to rebuild her life were very believable. Her relationship with her cousin Dawn was well done – author Suzanne Woods Fisher does a great job of slowly revealing snippets of their past and showing how each of them saw things from an entirely different perspective. Bruno’s story is just as interesting (and at times heartbreaking) – I love the way the relationship between Callie and Bruno slowly develops. And I mustn’t forget Cowboy Leo – my favorite character in the book! Finally, there are discussion questions at the back of the book – I liked the last question so much that I now take time each night to write down three good things that happened during the day.

I won a copy of this book but was under no obligation to review it.

Rating: 5 Stars!!
Review:
Thank you to Librarything for picking me to win this FREE ARC COPY in a giveaway on their website earlier this year!! Even tho this is only the 2nd book ive read in this series, im really loving it so far.

The Characters were so fun and enjoyable to read about. Dawn and Callie were my favorites. I really felt for Callie with how she feared she had MS like her Mother did years ago.

The Setting was beautifully described which made me feel like i was actually in Cape Cod, Massachusetts while reading, especially when the scenery was described.

Overall Another Phenomenal Book in this Contemporary Romance Series!! Can't wait to read Book 3 when it comes out later this year!! ( )

What a fun follow-up book!

Readers are treated to a glimpse of life following the ending of book one. Marnie and Dawn are experiencing their first winter months together in Cape Cod, trying to keep the Creamery afloat. It’s lovely to catch up with them and to see how the rest of their stories play out.

Callie is Marnie’s niece, an over achiever (like her cousin Dawn), but in desperate need of help. When she invites herself to stay with Marnie, a series of intense events follow. This is Callie’s story – her search for happiness and knowing who she is. It’s a story about second chances, family, and finding a forever love with the person who brings out the best in you.

There’s nothing not to love in this story. We get to revisit secondary characters from book one, meet new ones, spend time on the beach, and learn what makes people happy – one chapter at a time.

This is a great, feel-good read that’s perfect to take camping or to the beach.

I’m looking forward to book three, and catching up with Marnie, Dawn, and Callie in their next adventure.

I highly recommend reading book one, The Sweet Life, before reading this one.

I received an ecopy from the publisher through Net Galley. All opinions expressed are my own. ( )

Callie loses her dream job as an executive chef after one mistake, a mistake that sent dozens of people to the hospital with food poisoning. It wasn’t entirely her fault, but she assumed the blame for it. Through some extraordinary circumstances, she finds herself ensconced at an ice cream shop owned by her cousin, Dawn, and her aunt, Marnie, and sharing a bedroom with her cousin. Callie thinks of Dawn as her “almost sister,” but Dawn harbors no such sentiments. Dawn has always come in second to Callie in everything they did, much to Dawn’s dismay, and the last she wants to do is spend any time with Callie. But Marnie knows Callie needs them, and so she’s offered to let Callie stay as long as she wants. Dawn knows that Callie is depressed, and to get her out of the bedroom where she just stares at the ceiling, Dawn cajoles Callie into attending a Secret to Happiness class given by a local professor. She goes, barely willing to make the effort, but eventually begins to see a light at the end of the tunnel. It starts with a young boy who takes a liking to Callie. It continues by reading a book written by the prof giving the class. It is enhanced by watching the sunrise each morning, sometimes with the prof. And it ends, well, I don’t want to spoil that for you. This novel may give readers some insights to finding their own secrets to happiness. The author gives some good tips in traveling down that road. It’s a well written story, with engaging and well-drawn characters. It’s intriguing and entertaining, and it has a bit of a mystery, but beware: it’s going to make you crave ice cream and popsicles! ( )

When Callie's life seems to be falling apart, she turns to her Aunt Marnie and Cousin Dawn for help. Callie has experienced great success all her life, until her career as an executive chef ends unexpectedly. In addition, some health issues are concerning her, but she keeps these a secret from her family. Callie ends up at the Cape Cod Creamery, an ice cream shop owned by her aunt and cousin. Unfortunately, the shop is struggling to stay afloat during the off season. Callie starts to find her way by secretly helping out in the shop.

Aunt Marnie and Dawn cannot figure out what is bothering and depressing Callie, and they try to help her. Dawn enrolls Callie in a class about finding happiness. There Callie meets a new friend in Bruno the class instructor. With some help from a little cowboy named Leo and her family, Callie gains the courage she needs to start over.

This is an engaging novel with some sympathetic characters and an interesting setting. (I did not like Dawn, she seemed so self-centered and judgmental of Callie.) The part I liked best was the list of "secrets to happiness" that Callie learned. These could be put into practice by any readers. The book contains book group discussion questions at the end, author notes with a bibliography for further reading, and a teaser chapter for another novel.

I received this book from Library Thing Early Reviewers in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own. ( )