~ I received no compensation and opinions are 100% my own or my family. ~
What It's About: IF IT MAKES YOU HAPPY can be described as Gilmore Girls meets thePumpkin Spice Café – but a lot steamier! Set in small-town Copper Run, Vermont, in autumn 1997, Olivia’s first traditionally published novel offers readers a love story that feels like the first sip of a warm, delicious latte on a cold day. It’s a grumpy-meets-sunshine, fish-out-of-water tale of two small-town business owners and next-door neighbors who fall head-over-heels for each other, set in a simpler time before smart phones and internet dating.
Copper Run, Vermont, 1997: The leaves are changing colors. School is back in session. The locals are decorating for Halloween. The most inviting scents are wafting from the bakery. And a taxicab delivers an out-of-towner and her dog to the local inn.
When big-city advertising executive and recent divorcee’ Michelle arrives at the bed-and-breakfast that was her mother’s retirement project, she can hardly appreciate the glories of a New England fall. Michelle is grieving her failed marriage and the unexpected loss of her mom. With her life crumbling around her, Michelle suffers one more blow when she agrees to take a leave of absence from her job at the ad agency in Seattle to handle things at her mother’s small-town inn in Vermont.
Michelle doesn’t know the first thing about running an inn. So, when her very helpful, very attractive, single dad of a next-door neighbor offers to give her some hospitality lessons, Michelle agrees. It’s not long before this stubborn city-dweller finds herself falling for small-town living… and for her hot neighbor.
One (or more) Sentence Summary: I would love life in Copper Run. I don't think I could run an inn, but everything else about the town and the people in If It Makes You Happy, made it a town I would love to be part of. I really liked Michelle and her journey. How hard is it to go from married life in Seattle as well as a successful executive in advertising to losing your mother and moving across country to temporarily run her inn while your sister finishes school.
There is also Cliff, the single dad neighbor who is also owns the local bakery. His two daughters, Emily and Brittney, draw you in as well. They are at such different stages in their lives and Cliff does an amazing job with both of them. Of course Michelle fits right in too.
I also loved that it was set back in 1997. I don't tend to read a lot books set in the 90's (not sure if it is not a popular timeframe or I just don't stumble upon them) and really enjoyed it. I was a young adult and coming into my career during that time frame and could relate to Michelle.
Very enjoyable book and I will be on the look for more books written by Julie Olivia!
Julie Olivia writes cozy love stories filled with humor, spice, and close friend groups that feel like a warm hug. She is a roller coaster fan, avid romance reader, and rainy day enthusiast.
Julie lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her husband and their very opinionated pets.
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