Book Review: If It Makes You Happy by Julie Olivia

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 510 pages
Author: Julie Olivia
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: September 19th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

My new next-door neighbor seems to have everything figured out. Small town golden boy? Check. Single dad extraordinaire? Check. Hot baker forearms? I didn’t notice them, I swear.

I, on the other hand, don’t–at all–have anything figured out.

Trust me, I didn’t think taking over my mom’s dream bed and breakfast in Copper Run Vermont was going to be easy. It should be a good place to heal after my divorce. But apparently my scones belong in the garbage with my small talk skills. As pointed out by none other than Cliff.

Cliff is inescapable. He knows exactly what people need–always. His charm, the way he wears flannel, and even his pastries, make not wanting to be friends with Cliff and his daughters pretty hard.

Friends? I can make friends. That’s safe.

Except I’m leaving in three months to pass the inn off to my little sister and get the promotion in Seattle I’ve been working towards.

So ask me why I’m thinking about kissing my hot neighbor.

WHAT AN ABSOLUTE GEM.

YOU SHOULD GO READ IT TOO. This book blew up on my feed, and for good reason. I was obsessed with this from the beginning. The 90’s nostalgia was in full force and I could not get enough of the fall vibes too. I adored the small town and all of the local shenanigans but also how everyone took care of each other too.

The romance is the best kind of slow burn. I forgot how much I LOVE an amazing slow burn (please bring those back). The mounting tension, almost kisses, brief touches, gosh it all had me BEGGING for more. And while this is an open door book, plot > spice reigned and it became my favorite type of romance.

I loved the characters. The black cat x golden retriever was crafted with the perfect banter and shade between Cliff and Michelle. I loved the family aspects and the reconnections and growing pains that came with it all. The characters really showed the best of be yourself and how someone out there is your match and things will fall into place. Love love love love. Catch me reading all of Julie Olivia’s books now.

Overall audience notes: