The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley by Courtney Walsh - Book Review

Publication Date: 13th June 2023

Genre: Contemporary Women’s Fiction (Not Christian Fiction) 

3.7 Stars 

One Liner: A good read (with a few issues) 

Isadora Bentley is socially awkward, reclusive, and an anxiety-driven thirty-year-old academic researcher. She deals better with data than people and wants nothing to do with anything remotely human or (even an animal). 

However, on her thirtieth birthday, Isadora makes an impulsive purchase. She buys a magazine with an article, ‘Thirty-One Ways to Be Happy’, intending to prove it wrong. Soon, her experiment opens her world to new friends and adventures Isadora wouldn’t have considered otherwise. She even meets Dr. Cal Baxter, a handsome professor (and psychologist), and helps with his research.  

As the days go on, Isadora wonders if there is indeed something about the happiness concept and maybe she can be happy if she can relax and let go of things. 

The story comes in Isadora’s first-person POV. 

My Thoughts: 

The cover is a real cutie. The artwork perfectly represents the MC. 

While the premise is intriguing, it took me time to get into the story. The MC rambles a lot and has too many internal conversations with others. I talk to myself for sure, but the MC has a Ph.D. in it. 

I am an introvert and tend to miss filters at times. But even I got annoyed by some of her actions. It seems more like an issue with execution (writing) than the characterization. 

The found family trope is well done. I love how it talks about the MC not actually hating people but that she just hasn’t found those who understand her. Finding your tribe is so very important in today’s world. 

Marty, Darby, and Delilah are my favorite characters. They are strong supporting characters and have substantial roles in the book. Delilah is an absolute darling. I like her more than the MC (of course, Delilah is ten, so it does make her my priority). 

The MC’s backstory explains her behavior a lot. Her parents, ugh! No wonder she feels so horrible and has -100 self-esteem. However, the repetition of Alex feels a little too much. Stretching the reveal isn’t necessary. The track is easy enough to guess. 

Cal is a great character, even if he seems a bit too perfect. Wouldn’t hurt to have a book boyfriend like him, though. He complements Isadora in many ways. 

Romance is not the central theme of the book. Though Isadora finds Cal very attractive (and has a lot to say about him), the actual focus is more on her finding herself and regaining her self-confidence (and unlearning a lot of assumptions). 

However, the last section has been stretched quite a bit. The MC’s reactions made me groan and say not again! Not sure if having others tell her she’s being childish and selfish helped. I started to lose interest in the plot (not a good sign). The part with Cal also drags. Some of it is necessary, yes. But not all of it! 

The last chapter is the epilogue and rounds off the plot well. It ties up the loose ends and provides the necessary details to close the book with a smile. I particularly like how the parents continue to stay in the background throughout. 

To summarize, The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley is a warm feel-good women’s fiction about self-discovery and finding her tribe to realize happiness is within her reach. 

Thank you, NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers Australia, for the eARC. 

#NetGalley #TheHappyLifeofIsadoraBentley

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P.S.: I’m not sure why the book is even marketed (tagged) as Christian fiction (there’s no need for it). It’s regular women’s fiction with the found family trope and a dash of romance. Some readers are disappointed by the lack of certain elements expected in that genre.