Valerie S. (VolunteerVal) -
I'm really enjoying the Cape Cod Creamery series by Suzanne Woods Fisher. I read The Sweet Life, the first book, last year and it was fun to spend time with the characters in The Secret to Happiness, the second novel.
The series features Dawn, her mom Marnie, and Dawn's fiancé Kevin, who all relocated to Cape Cod a year ago to begin a new chapter of life which is going well. Dawn and Marnie are busy operating their gourmet ice cream shop, and Dawn and Kevin are planning their wedding. Then Callie, their cousin/niece, lands on their doorstep after a soul-shattering career crisis, a shell of her once-exuberant self. In her determination to "fix" Callie, Dawn encourages her to attend a series of classes on the topic of the secret to happiness, which have a profound impact in more ways than one.
I appreciate these characters, especially the secondary ones like six-year-old Leo the Cowboy. The plot feels believable and includes real-world conflicts and challenges, and the faith elements are woven authentically in the story. The quotes about ice cream at the beginning of each chapter are fun, and the insights into ice cream making and catering were interesting. I anticipated the 'big reveals' at the end, but that didn't make them any less sweet.
I hope there will be a third novel in this series, but this story has a happy ending for the primary characters so it's possible this may be a duology.
The series features Dawn, her mom Marnie, and Dawn's fiancé Kevin, who all relocated to Cape Cod a year ago to begin a new chapter of life which is going well. Dawn and Marnie are busy operating their gourmet ice cream shop, and Dawn and Kevin are planning their wedding. Then Callie, their cousin/niece, lands on their doorstep after a soul-shattering career crisis, a shell of her once-exuberant self. In her determination to "fix" Callie, Dawn encourages her to attend a series of classes on the topic of the secret to happiness, which have a profound impact in more ways than one.
I appreciate these characters, especially the secondary ones like six-year-old Leo the Cowboy. The plot feels believable and includes real-world conflicts and challenges, and the faith elements are woven authentically in the story. The quotes about ice cream at the beginning of each chapter are fun, and the insights into ice cream making and catering were interesting. I anticipated the 'big reveals' at the end, but that didn't make them any less sweet.
I hope there will be a third novel in this series, but this story has a happy ending for the primary characters so it's possible this may be a duology.
The Secret to Happiness is the second book in the Cape Cod Creamery series. It can be read as a standalone, but I do recommend reading The Sweet Life. I like how The Secret to Happiness tied into the Three Sisters Island series. I like the author's writing style. It made the story easy to read. The point-of-view switched between Dawn, Marnie, and Callie. I liked getting to see each woman's perspective. Callie's evolving relationship with Marnie and Dawn was heartwarming as well as realistic. I like how Marnie subtly shared her faith with Callie. It was the right approach for Callie. The happiness instructor's theory is interesting. A way to retrain the brain. As Callie found happiness, so does the reader. I loved Callie's relationship with six-year-old, Leo the Cowboy. He is a frequent visitor at the Main Street Creamery (he seems to know when a new batch of ice cream is ready for taste testing). He wormed his way into Callie's heart (as well as the readers). Dawn and Kevin are planning their wedding. Dawn will not go on her honeymoon until she knows Marnie can make ice cream (from scratch). Plus, Dawn needs to find a venue. Marnie and Lincoln's friendship might develop into something more. Marnie is not sure if she is ready. I enjoyed the humor scattered throughout the story. Kevin's landlady is a doozy (I can understand why Kevin wants to move). There are ice cream quotes before each chapter and delectable sounding ice cream (and adult ice cream pops) in the story. I am looking forward to the next book in the Cape Cod Creamery series which will feature Dawn's best friend, Brynn. The Secret to Happiness is about family, friendship, forgiveness, faith, love, ice cream, and second chances. The Secret to Happiness is a touching tale with a depressed chef, a cute cowboy, happiness sessions, surreal sunrises, appetizing popsicles, venue issues, and a secret discovered.
