What a great book. A perfect book for a summers day
The characters are so genuine and easy to relate to
This book is both inspiring and heartwarming
I loved this book

The stories of Alison, Daniella and Karen. They meet when Alison is convinced by Daniella to try the bootcamp which Karen runs. All three are keeping secrets, but soon learn that their new friends can help and support them.

When I heard Jessica Redland had a new book coming out – her first with publisher Boldwood Books - I hoped I would again be able to walk the streets of the delightful (fictional) North Yorkshire Seaside town of Whitsborough Bay - and I was in luck.
The Secret to Happiness features three new characters but not only is it a familiar setting, for those who have read her previous books, we also catch glimpses of some past characters too.
That doesn’t mean you need to have read her other books first but, in my opinion, it does add a little bit more enjoyment.
This was one of those books where I didn’t want it to end but at the same time desperately wanted to know how the characters (or as I like to think of them, my new friends) got on.
One of Jessica’s many talents is that she observes people and especially relationships so well. They are not often linear, they are full of twists, turns and complications which all play out well in this book.
We meet three very different women with very different stories but she cleverly brings them together until an envious friendship forms.
Jessica really is one of my must read authors and I’m pleased her talent has been recognised by a publisher. I can’t wait for the next one.

Thank you for Boldwood (via NetGalley) for the ARC in return for an honest review.

Loved this book. Great characters, easy read, uplifting, funny, romantic and charming. A really nice story that is the perfect sumer read.

When three completely different people with different backgrounds who are big socialites meet at camp, things are meant to heat up. This is one such story that is uplifting and as well as heartbreaking at the same time. People learn different things from various books. What I learned from this book is that: You are in charge of your happiness and no one.

An absolute gem of a book!
The characters were all strong and well developed and the reader was drawn in from the start. The twists and turns the story took made for an interesting read. You felt like you were on a journey with each of the three women but I would never have guessed the ending.
This was the first book I have read by Jessica Redland but it won’t be the last!
A beautiful writing style, likeable and realistic characters, and an exciting plot. I couldn’t put this book down and would highly recommend this book
Thank you to Netgalley, Boldwood books, and Jessica Redland for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Secret To Happiness, turns out is the second book by the author i have read. I was excited to be part of team boldwood for this - with them being newly launched - its been a fantastic opportunity to get on board.



We meet three different women with three different stories. I sometimes struggle when there is different narratives running side by side, and at the start i did - but soon enough i began to understand the women and how they interlinked and that for me was when the story flourished.



Danniella - she is new to the area, plays her cards close to her chest and is on the run from something. She wanted to keep everyone at a distance and really isnt interested in forming relationships, she doesn't deserve them. Alison, bubbly, friendly and has a serious case of self loathing - but laughs it off. She spends time looking after her partner as he is the only family she has. She is lonely and really needs a friend, but how does an adult even make a friend? Lastly Karen, in a long term relationship- the romance has been pushed aside as the couple work together to build up their fitness business.



Each woman has their own different story and as the women come into each others lives we discover the importance of true friendship. My heart broke in places for these women, but it healed with them as we spent time in their company and watched them grow and change.



I thought this book would be all "the secret to happiness is ...." but actually, we discover it, we go on a journey with these women as they find their own happiness. I loved this book, it was so unexpected - it wasnt what i expected, instead it really did fill my heart with warmth. Please if you fancy something to life your spirits and put your faith in friendship, this is one.

Jessica Redland has done it again, written a book of emotions in a superlative manner which had me smiling with a hint of tears glinting in my eyes. The emotions this book evoked showed me why I adore this author.

This story was the perfect soothing balm for the weary soul when life got overwhelming. Every word written by Jessica had the power to heal me from the inside out. The story bespoke of hope and joy amidst pain and heartbreak and laid the spotlight firmly on strength in friendships.

3 women, strangers in the beginning with insurmountable problems in their life, slowly gravitated toward each other in the boot camp and found support in each other. Nary a bond has ever been formed so strong in a book. Secrets and emotions brought the quickening of the pace and gave it a delicious twist. Dark days with some difficult decisions found its place in my heart as I too have faced them.

The characters felt real, as if I knew them and they knew me. The emotions felt honest as if they were written with those in my heart. Inspiring and heart-warming were the two words that came to me as I reached the last page in this oh so absolutely delightful book.

I can honestly say

I loved the book and it loved me back, more than I could have ever hoped.

I absolutley loved this book. The characters were relateable, the friendship they created was a strong bond. The story line was light hearted and fun.

This was my first book by this author, and it certainly won’t be my last! I absolutely loved reading this emotional and uplifting story. I enjoyed how the three characters came together to support and encourage each other, their difficult circumstances at times had me in tears, but ultimately I felt uplifted by their support and friendships.
I loved the mystery part too, I didn’t guess the outcome and it kept me reading late into the night!
A perfect book to read on my holiday in Yorkshire, where the story was based, another reason to love it!
I look forward to reading more from this brilliant author, very soon.

Loved this book! Three women, each needing to stand up to someone, or something in their lives. It takes courage to face our fears, face the past or face those who are not treating us the way we deserve. These women forge a powerful bond and friendship.

Lovely feel good read. It was well written and flowed well. I enjoyed it very much. The plot was good and interesting. Hard to put down

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. I enjoyed this book and the characters and also Whitsborough Bay. This is a real feel good summer read.

The Secret to Happiness is the story of three women who become firm friends through a bootcamp run by one of them. Karen is engaged to her business partner Ryan although with work being so busy they haven't got around to setting a date yet. Danniella has recently arrived in Whitsborough Bay and is clearly troubled by her past with secrets she doesn't want to share. Alison is in a relationship where she doesn't feel valued by her partner Dave (oh how much I despised him!) and much to her own astonishment, has agreed to go along to the bootcamp with Danniella. Through the course of the book, the women face some dark times and have difficult decisions to make.

I loved all three of the main characters. I'm sure that many women who read this book will find the issues and secrets to be very realistically portrayed and probably find they can relate to one woman more in particular. Alison was the one I was drawn to most with her feelings about body image. I think many women will recognise the cycle of feeling miserable and turning to food for comfort. It's a book that when I wasn't reading about it, I was thinking about the characters and itching to get back to it.

Jessica Redland has created a wonderful story which is full of warmth and love and is rather emotional to read at times. The three women find not just support and encouragement in each other but learn to be more confident in themselves and to love themselves. They almost have to give themselves permission to be happy. That friendship and support is so central to the story.

One particular scene near the end made me smile so widely and yes, there were happy tears at times. And the secret to happiness? Well if you read this book, you might just pick up a few hints. This is a beautifully told uplifting story and I loved every page. In fact, I found it so inspiring that I am going to give something new a go. By the time you read this, I will be recovering from my first ever tap dancing class!

Easily Jessica Redland's best novel so far. The amount of heart and depth that has gone into it is astounding.

For those who have read the author before there are some familiar places and people cropping up, but it is 100% a standalone novel featuring 3 brand new leading ladies.

Karen, Alison and Danniella, what an inspirational group you are. They all start the book without knowing each other, and all having problems in their lives.

It is their combined new friendship that gives them the strength to overcome old demons.

There are plenty of secrets to discover, emotional topics dealt with and so much more besides.

It is clear a lot of research must have gone into this novel especially for Danniella's story line. At times I was smiling and at others I had a lump in my throat.

Beautiful writing and another amazing book from this incredibly talented author.

Thank you to Boldwood Books on Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

The secret to happiness? A big promise! Does it deliver? Well this book is the story of three women who’s tales entwine along the way, they face adversity, they are human from the tops of their heads to the tips of their toes and all the more likeable for that. It’s uplifting and enjoyable

I finished reading this book half an hour ago and am still sobbing!! I was a little confused when I first started reading, but soon got into it and felt like I was there with the three main characters Karen, Daniella and Alison. This was very similar I am sure, to real life as some people know it. I was so pleased it had a happy ending even if it did make me cry!!! A well written and believable story.

Thanks to netgalley for a copy of this book.

What a great uplifting book. What is your secret to happiness? Alison, Karen and Danniella come from different backgrounds and each have issues that they need to overcome to be able to find their secret to happiness. They meet and become the best of friends, helping each other through tough times. Heartbreaking in places, had me in tears.

A cute book, perfect as summer read.
I appreciated the character development, the characters are likeable and realistic, and the entertaining and engrossing plot.
I look forward to reading other books by this author.
Recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

Friends are the secret to happiness. This book is a winner in the way it tells the lives and friendship of three women. A well told tale that will leave you happy.