Publishers Weekly
02/25/2019
Ornery llamas, attack sheep, and a wealth of colorful country characters (including a spectacular hairdresser-to-the-stars who coifs alpacas in his downtime) electrify Matthews’s charming tale of a small-town British saver of lost animals and children who falls for the famous parent of one of her charges. As a result of being the daughter of an indifferent alcoholic mother, 38-year-old Molly Baker has never met a damaged creature she hasn’t tried to save—whether it’s angry alpaca Johnny Rotten or her newest student, Lucas. The son of widower Shelby Dacre, a noted soap star, Lucas comes to Hope Farm in the bucolic English countryside with a chip on his shoulder the size of a boulder. Lucas quickly comes to trust Molly, and, after featuring a few of Molly’s animals during a fairly disastrous soap episode, Shelby begins to fall for Molly. But when she gets horrible news from her landlord, will he be there to pick up the pieces? Matthews (The Cake Shop in the Garden) keeps explicit romance to a minimum and weaves in a number of amusing livestock details, among them the value of llama droppings to local farmers and a fairly gross section on alpaca snot. Perfect for lovers of small-town romance, this upbeat tale is sweet but not cloying and altogether satisfying. Agent: Lizzy Kremer, David Higham Assoc. (Apr.)
From the Publisher
Sparkling . . .light-hearted, laugh-packed fun—Sunday Mirror
If you love romance, quirky humour and animals you can't do better than to sink into Happiness for Beginners.—Katie Fforde
A gorgeous novel that will delight—Katie Fforde on Paper Hearts and Summer Kisses
Fun, fantastic and brimming with Matthews magic... from the first to the last page - an absolute joy—Milly Johnson
One of our favourite authors, Carole Matthews always delivers a delicious read, and Million Love Songs is another delightful read. Full of humour and emotional dilemmas, this latest book is perfect to curl up with on the sofa in this unpredictable weather. Highly Recommended!—Hot Brands Cool Places
An irresistibly warmhearted story with a cast of captivating characters, both animal and human—Trisha Ashley
Fabulously enjoyable . . . full of heart and fun—Milly Johnson
Warm, witty and hopeful - I was charmed—Sarah Morgan
I laughed and cried and marvelled—Cathy Bramley on Paper Hearts and Summer Kisses
Happiness For Beginners once again confirms Carole Matthews as the queen of funny, feel good fiction. Put your feet up, and switch off your phone because you're in for a real treat.—Mike Gayle
Witty, funny and incredibly touching . . . perfect for lifting the spirits—Heat
Heartwarming story of new beginnings.—Candis
Heart-warming—Bella
As ever from this author, a lively story that fizzes with fun—Best
Full of quirky characters and often laugh-out loud funny, it's a delightful read.—Choice
Ornery llamas, attack sheep, and a wealth of colourful country characters (including a spectacular hairdresser-to-the-stars who coifs alpacas in his downtime) electrify Matthews's charming tale... Perfect for lovers of small-town romance, this upbeat tale is sweet but not cloying and altogether satisfying.—Publishers Weekly
Sparkling romp—Mirror
Heartwarming—Bella
Heartfelt—Yours
Delightful and humorous... as joyful as its cover—Woman's Weekly
Another lovely tale from bestselling writer Carole Matthews—Hello!
Light-hearted, laugh-packed fun.—The People
One of our favourite authors, Carole Matthews always delivers a delicious read full of humour and emotional dilemmas—Hot Brands, Cool Places
The writing is full of humour, warmth and heart - all the things that are standard in Carole's novels. This is a perfect holiday read. I loved it.—Novel Kicks Blog
