How the cat she never wanted taught her the lessons she never knew she needed.

It was not love at first sight for Jinx and Cynthia. The long-haired, dandruff-ridden creature wasn’t Cynthia’s dream for a new family pet. And Jinx was equally unimpressed with her.

Jinx’s arrival marked a dramatic turning point in Cynthia’s life. Soon after, she endured a devastating loss and battled grief, loneliness, and depression. Throughout the turmoil, Cynthia and Jinx progressed from sparring partners, to reluctant roommates, to friends. When Cynthia finally decided to take her life back, she brought Jinx along for the ride.

Side by side, they weathered all the excitement, disappointment, mishaps, and adventures that come with finding happiness and redefining your life. Through it all, Jinx was an unexpected source of comfort, affection, and valuable life lessons. Because sometimes the thing you most need shows up in the way you least expect.

I can see why this book appeals to some people who call themselves cat lovers. I even see that the writer truly loves her cat. But mostly out of obligation at first and later often as to what the cat adds to her experience in life. There is a lot of anthropomorphism in this book as well. I'm not claiming I know everything there is to know about cats, but I did not feel all too well about some things that were mentioned by this cat owner. But I do acknowledge I am probably not the intended audience for this book.

An ARC was provided to me via Netgalley in return of an honest review.

Happiness Came With a Cat- My Journey from Brokenness to Happiness, and the Life Lessons My Cat Taught Me By Cynthia Star Is The Charming Tale Of One Very Troubled Lady Named Cynthia …Who NEEDED The Wisdom Of A Feline Only An Intelligent & Intuitive Cat Can Provide …& The Feline Jinx Who Provided The “ Instruction” The Troubled Biped Was Desperately In Dire Need Of…. For Often Times …The Pearls Of Wisdom Come In The Form Of Melodious Meows…Coated With Silky Fur…Delivered Via Raspy Tongues …& Gently Padded Paws….Read and See What Wisdom Was Dispensed With Feline Love….Much Enjoyed and Highly Recommended. I Voluntarily Reviewed An Advanced Copy Of This Book.

The best thing this book was that it was short. While I am both a cat-lover and a lover of memoirs, the joining of the two just didn't work for me in this book. Yes, the author owned a cat and yes, the cat ended up taking up a large part of her heart and life, however, that didn't seem to be very different from how any person who loves his/her pets would feel. Many of the situations she described did not seem to be a direct result of her having a cat, but that is how it seemed to have been advertised. Overall, I just didn't find her story very compelling but, as I said, at least it was short.

This is a heartwarming story for all who ,love cats. Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for the opportunity. My review opinions are my own.

The author had been through incredible life trauma when she met Mr. Jinx. She was officially done with humans in her life and ready to move on. She was a self proclaimed anti cat person until this wonderful cat nutrued her, encourgaged her to heal and loved her unconditionally. This is truly a love story to how our cats transoform our lives for the better . This is a wonderful book for all cat lovers who can appreciate the loving impact our cats have on our lives.

Lessons in life from your cat

A very gentle and quick read with common sense and self-help thrown in. While Cynthia and Jinxy didn’t get off to the best of starts he shows the benefits of resilience by gradually wrapping her around his paw. Cynthia’s story shows how our pets can truly save us, from ourselves and the worst that life can throw at us.

I found this an uplifting feel good read and would recommend it to cat lovers.

I was given this book from the author via netgalley only for the pleasure of reading and leaving an honest review should I choose to.

Lesson number one learned; cats are better than people.

Happiness Came With A Cat is a book by Cynthia Star talking about her life journey from brokenness to happiness all because of her cat, Mr. Jinx, who she never wanted but ended up needing. This was a very unique way of looking at events in life that stronger people because while the title may seem ridiculous to some people, when you read the book, it's not only heartwarming but humorous at times.

This memoir & self-help book rolled into one is a quick read and while there are instances where you feel remorse for what the author went through, the way she pushes forward to make things better for herself (even if it is through the support of a cat) shows the resilience she has. The transformation she goes through because of her emotional & mental wellbeing is clearly visible by the end and shows that if things might seem difficult initially, everything works out.

As someone who was once just like her and hated cats until I met my very own Mr. Jinx (Fred), there are so many ways I can understand the author's point of view, because Fred was my support system during the pandemic.

Overall, I absolutely enjoyed this book and not only would I recommend it to anyone who likes a good nonfiction book about personal growth and transformation, but also to readers out there who are cat people.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher as well as the author for this ARC.
#NetGalley #HappinessCameWithACat #CynthiaStar #IndependentPublisher

This was a sweet one. Those of us who have been owned by a cat (or other pet for that matter), can all relate. In this book, we are introduced to Mr. Jinx the cat through his family, Cynthia and her daughter, Calli. Jinx wasn’t her first choice of cat but her daughter insisted. It was a rough start but Jinx helped Cynthia go from rock bottom to happiness.
This book was very sweet and made me hug my cat. Not difficult as he was on my lap while I read. This novella was a pleasant way to spend an evening. Everyone who has, does, or ever will love a cat will benefit from this quick read. I especially loved how Ms. Star described Mr. Jinx’s less than stellar start as a family member. She ended up helping them both by improving her own behavior. Something every pet owner should do. Good for her!

First things first, I agree with the title. Happiness does indeed came with a cat, as a cat parent myself. I empathized with the situations that happened here and the author's emotional journey, however, the actual writing is very simplistic and too boring for me personally. I find myself relying to much on my imagination to what the author's situation feels like when, for example (that happened in this book), her children are all grown up and she don't feel like they don't have purpose anymore, but that's my problem with it. The narration was too flat for me to be able to get attached to the story being presented and have emotions about it. I constantly need to imagine for myself what the situation or the experience feels like because the actual writing on page doesn't provide that. The writing style isn't just for me.

I can't resist to reading a book with a cat on the cover and this one was compelling and made me think.
Each cat is a universe you have to explore but you also have to learn how to contact them.
The story of Cynthia and Jinx is a story of learning to get in touch and learning from out cat.
It's well written and I liked it.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

Cynthia and her daughter go to a shelter to get another cat. Cynthia didn’t want the cat that her daughter wanted but she gave in. Their cat had passed away and they missed having a cat but her husband didn’t.want a cat so he packed up and left when they came home with one. They decided the cat’s name would be Jinx. Jinx didn’t get along with Cynthia — just with her daughter. When her daughter went off to college, Jinx and Cynthia are living with each other. When Jinx becomes her permanent cat, Cynthia watches episodes of Jackson Galaxy to learn how to get along better Jinx. As she moves on her life, Jinx gives her lessons that help her deal with life.

It’s a wonderful memoir of Cynthia’s life with her cat Jinx. I enjoyed her fallacies with Jinx and proud of her to make Jinx’s life good. It’s a heartwarming experience to read this. If you are a cat lover, you definitely should read it. Even if you aren’t a cat lover, read it for the life lessons.

Loved this quick little happy read more than I expected! This is the perfect, surprising self-help book / memoir when you need a pick me up. As a cat owner, I didn't need to be convinced of all the happiness that comes with a cat but the chapters and life lessons were wonderful.

The author, Cynthia, found herself unexpectedly with Mr Jinx, an initially difficult long-haired cat with an adventurous personality. By the second chapter, hate turns to love as Jinx helps her navigate her new empty-nest life post-divorce and eventually move to a new state for new adventures.

Highly recommend this heart-warming little read. Thank you NetGalley for a copy of this in exchange for my honest review.

I feel like perhaps I missed the point of this book but honestly it was too short to really be considered a book in my opinion. When I requested this I thought it would be more of a cat story but it wasn't how it read.

A cute fun filled accurate depiction of a cat and human relationship and the life lessons learned. Everything is better with a cat and this was a short, fun read.

Ah what a sweet, wholesome, novella! What a great little read for an afternoon. The real cat lovers will get this entirely! I just wish it was longer!!!

As a cat owner this book just resonated with me.
Her daughter wanted a cat after their other one passed away, she did as well but just not the one her daughter chose. At the time of coming into their lives, the cat and woman do their best to avoid each other. After all cats have personalities too and we can't expect cats to warm up to us as soon as they meet us.
From a broken-down romantic relationship to finding true happiness her cat is with her the whole way. Starting out with the cat and the author not liking each other to tolerating each other to not wanting to be without each other we see such progression in the relationship.
Each chapter is short and easy to get through but yet there is a simple truth to the life lessons the cat teaches along the way. Cats are very good judges of character.
I very much enjoyed taking this journey with the cat owner and her cat. It is a heartwarming and enjoyable read. I recommend this nonfiction book by this new to me author.

Pub Date 11 Oct 2022
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.