Book Review: If It Makes You Happy by Julie Olivia

“I’m being guided through a dance. I hate being guided. But with Cliff, it doesn’t feel like he’s taking control. He’s moving with me in tandem.”

Julie Olivia, If It Makes You Happy

Review:

I simply could not pass this book by when I heard that it’s a romcom set in the 90s. Better yet, it’s set in the 90s at a New England bed and breakfast during the fall. I picked the book up around Thanksgiving, which is always the time of year I feel myself craving some nostalgia. 

After her mother’s death, Michelle takes over her parents’ bed and breakfast temporarily while her younger sister finishes college and her father takes some time away to grieve. Still trying to make sense of her life after a divorce, this serves as a good escape for her as well. She’s only in town for a few months, then everything will go back to (somewhat) normal. But something she didn’t bank on is befriending the Bird & Breakfast’s neighbor, Cliff, the attractive local baker, nor did she anticipate growing attached to his two daughters. She isn’t used to having friends, but in Cliff, she finds a best friend.  

Cliff has custody of his two daughters, Emily and Brittany. They have a happy life together in Copper Run, but with Michelle’s arrival, Cliff sees what his girls have been missing by not having a mother figure around. Although he’s friendly with everyone, he’s particularly drawn to Michelle. Besides, she needs all the help she can get in the hospitality field. 

Honestly, I did not expect to love this book as much as I did. The characters were all so wonderful, and the chemistry throughout all of the different relationships was fantastic. It captured the 90s feel incredibly without relying on endless pop culture references. It felt so genuine. I enjoyed every second I spent with this book. 

Likes & Dislikes:

What I liked:

• The nostalgic tone to the book.
• Such wonderful characters!
• A bit of a found family feel.

What I didn’t like:

• I would have preferred no spice, but thankfully, there weren’t many explicit scenes, and it was easy to skip over them.

Afterthoughts:

I seriously wish I could wipe my memory and relive this story for the first time again.

I categorized this as contemporary fiction because it felt more contemporary than historical. But maybe people born after the 2000s will feel differently…

Where to buy the book: