The Secrets of Happiness is a petty apt name for this book. Its based on the strained relationship between two step sisters Becca and Rachel. Rachel’s father had passed away a few years back and this is when she decided to cut all ties with her step mother and sister. Rachel never really got on with either of them even while her father was alive. She believed that they were imposing on her happy life with her father. Her mother had passed away many years ago when Rachel was only a toddler but she nurses fond memories of her.
Newly single and unemployed, thanks to her jealous, possessive, violent ex-husband; Rachel is trying her hand at starting her own personal training business. All is going well until she takes a trip to Manchester which lands her in the hospital with a broken jaw and some serious memory loss making it impossible for her to contact home.
Becca is called by Rachel’s eldest daughter and asked if she can go to their home to hold down the fort until they can find out where their mother is. As the relationship between Becca and Rachel is not the best at this time Becca is reluctant but goes anyway. Becca, being carefree and a bit of a tear away when she was younger is overwhelmed when given the responsibility of looking after 2 children and a teenager.
Once Rachel is finally home Becca is a dab hand at running the house hold. As much as Rachel doesn’t want her there she realises fast that her injuries make it difficult for her to carry out even the simplest of tasks and she reluctantly asks Becca to stay.
Becca is of a plump build, nothing like slim, in shape, health nut Rachel and find her self out of her comfort zone when she is asked to train Rachel’s new clients. Despite the fact that Becca has absolutely no clue as to what she is doing she slowly find herself getting in shape and starting to enjoy the sessions she is doing for Rachel, even if some of them are not what Rachel has scheduled.
After a confrontation with her ex and with Becca to back her up, Rachel really sees that she has had the wrong impression of her step sister all this time. Rachel then decides to help Becca, along with Becca’s unexpected love interest, get herself on her feet and go into business for herself.
The end of this book gave me a warm fussy feeling. After all the animosity between the two sisters they finally develop the type of relationship that each of them has always wanted.
I gave this book 5/5 on Goodreads
This is a feel good story and I would recommend it to anyone who likes to work of Jane Fallon also.
I hope that you enjoyed my review and welcome any feedback.
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