Our hilarious, smart and complicated protagonist, Dr. Maggie McGuire is the author a book called The Science of Bliss. She is not a shrink – she is thoroughly a scientist, her book is researched and based on empirical data. We first meet her after a breakup with her fiancé, as she hiding out in her pitiful excuse for an apartment in grubby clothes, binge-watching sappy movies and binge-eating gelato – and apparently feeling like a fraud in light of her well researched and successful book.

This could have gone the way of all the usual breakup tales, but author Billerbeck doesn’t take the expected way of laying it all on the pathetic, traitorous boyfriend. She reveals, gradually (as she works through her own issues, egged on by a fellow shipmate’s comment that smart girls aren’t capable of happiness), that Maggie and her issues are a whole lot more complicated than you might expect, and those reasons turn into a bit of an epiphany – for both Maggie, and maybe even for the reader.

If you’ve ever been through a bad breakup, Maggie’s character is thoroughly relatable in her misery. Honestly, the woman is a hot mess, and she owns it, and every bit of her crazy – and it all makes for a delightfully fun read. She’s clumsy, self-deprecating at times and funny smart at others, fellow passengers on the boat enter her life and push her out of her comfort zone, and into revealing some pretty deep truths and closely held secrets.

There is a great balance here between the fun, the funny, awkwardness and grief, and the author does a wonderful job at making Maggie a fully human character and not a caricature. Supporting characters are equally delightful, a bit maddening, and quite honestly, you may find yourself googling “cruise vacations” by the end of it all. I was not expecting to find a light Christian element to the book, but it added to the complexity that is Maggie the scientist, and even if this isn’t your thing, do not let it dissuade you, because it fits into the storyline in its own way.

As I mentioned above, while I couldn’t put this book down, I struggled to slow down my reading, since I had fallen in love with the characters and didn’t want the story to end. This is a book with a lot of heart and honesty. I highly recommend it if you are looking for a book with a little bit of everything.

Author Kristen Billerbeck has written more than thirty novels, and I don’t know how this could be my first encounter with her but it definitely won’t be my last.

I was provided a copy of the book to read for review but all thoughts and opinions are my own. ( )

Amazing! This book really had me thinking about life and the choices that we make in the pursuit of happiness. Sometimes we just have to stop in our busyness and take a look around to make sure we don't miss out on the important things such as friendship, love, and of course happiness. That sometimes we miss out on what's right in front of us because we don't even bother to look and enjoy what we have. ( )

Scientist, Dr. Maggie Magguire's life has been turned upside down. Recently dumped by her fiancee, the author of a book on happiness. Maggie spends her days sitting on her sofa eating gelato and watching romance movies until her friends come to the rescue and book her as a guest speaker on a "New Year, New You" cruise to Mexico.

Maggie fears she is unqualified because she can't find happiness herself. Then she runs into a handsome stranger who insists that smart women can't be happy, this makes Maggie determined to prove him wrong.

I enjoyed this book, it was fun, witty and full of suspense. The characters were believable and interesting.
The writer proves that if we listen to God and follow our hearts, happiness will follow.

This is a wonderful book that is hard to put down.


( )

I really wanted to like this book. It sounded great from the cover information provided. The main character annoyed me with her childishness in the very first chapter. Then I was really put off when she started to bash senior citizens, by referring to "unfortunate Hawaiian shirts" as well as "clothing that looked like it came from her father's closet." My husband and I love to cruise, and yes, we wear those Hawaiian shirts, just like lots of other adults who have the money and time to cruise the islands. She also made some crack about whether it was a seniors singles cruise. These kinds of wise cracks remind me of stand up comedians and TV show hosts who dish on everyone and everything. I am sorry to say I did not finish the book. It was obviously intended for someone much younger than I am. This was an Early Reviewers book that I received for an honest review. ( )

A perfect beach read! The best way to describe this rom-com is as chick-lit. There is enough romance to stir your heart, but no heat to make you blush. There is enough drama to make you fear for friendships, but not so much you cringe or hate any characters. Barely a love triangle that feels more realistic but still dreamy. Just enough Christianity in there to let you know the characters have faith, but not so much to offend anyone. I thoroughly enjoyed the story and will read more by Kristin Billerbeck!

I am thankful to have received a complimentary copy of the book which does not influence this voluntary review. ( )