It's a pleasure to take part in the BlogTour for The Happiness List by Annie Lyons. I have reviewed quite a few of her books and can honestly say she never disappoints. Lyons always delivers an emotional, solid and yet at times amusing read.
About the Author
Having worked in the worlds of book selling and publishing, Annie Lyons decided to have a go at book writing. Following a creative writing course, lots of reading and an extraordinary amount of coffee, she produced Not Quite Perfect, which went on to become a number one bestseller. Her second book The Secrets Between Sisters was nominated in the best eBook category at the 2014 Festival of Romance and Life or Something Like It was a top ten bestseller.
Her book, The Choir on Hope Street, is a story of power ballads, community, cake and hope. She tries to write stories which make people laugh and cry, although hopefully not at the same time. Annie lives in a shambolic money-pit of a house with her husband and two children plus a cat, who she pretends not to like. She enjoys channelling her inner Adele as part of her own beloved community choir and trying to grow cauliflower. Her latest book, The Happiness List, was published on the 11th of July 2018.
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Visit annielyons.com or connect with Annie on Facebook
Buy The Happiness List
About the book
Life is about to change forever…
Heather is finally back on Hope Street after running from the memories for so long. She hasn’t bumped into many neighbours yet but with her upcoming wedding to plan there’s plenty to keep her busy!
Fran is still trying to get used to a life without her husband by her side. It’s hard enough raising two children on her own – she doesn’t have time to even think about dating…
Pamela is fed up with being taken for granted by her grown-up children and grumbling husband. She’s ready to shake things up a little, but will her family even notice?
So when the three women hear about a ‘happiness course’ starting on Hope Street, surely it’s the perfect opportunity to let their hair down, laugh with new friends and maybe even change their lives in ways they never expected…
Heather, Fran and Pamela couldn't be more different, and they don't imagine themselves growing closer to each other, whilst on a happiness course of all things. Although the course is supposed to help them focus on the positive and help them to manage and set themselves achievable goals, they start supporting each other instead.
Each of the women have their own burdens to bear. Fran is still trying to deal with the loss of her husband, Pamela is caught between her son and her husband, and Heather is planning a wedding. Heather is still coping with her own losses, which make her insecure, vulnerable and perhaps a little naive about the people closest to her.
Mindfulness is very en vogue at the moment. It's all about focusing one's awareness on the present, as opposed to dwelling on the past or being anxious about the future. Accepting one's own thoughts, feelings and physical sensations and acknowledging them calmly. In this case Heather, Fran and Pamela are asked to create lists of things or goals, which make them or will make them happy.
It's interesting to note how each list changes and evolves as the women grow and learn to focus on themselves and their happiness. How some seemingly important goals become less so to the women, as they learn to let things go and to assert themselves and their needs.
Lyons always delivers an emotional, solid and yet at times amusing read. Although it's infused with a subtle layer of humour, this story is about empowerment and taking control of your emotions and your life. It's about friendship, loyalty and bonds that grow between people. It's about enjoying the small things in life, focusing on the positive rather than the negative, and above all it is about knowing there is always a way forward.
Buy The Happiness List at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer.
Read The Choir on Hope Street, Life or Something Like It or Not Quite Perfect by Annie Lyons.
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