Reece is a cynical screenwriter, perpetually teetering on the edge of a creative breakthrough and a complete meltdown. When his well-meaning sister throws him a surprise birthday party in New York City, it’s not the celebration he had in mind. Instead, he's forced to navigate a chaotic landscape of overbearing relatives, awkward encounters, and a never-ending stream of unwelcome surprises. But beneath the surface of forced merriment and social awkwardness, Reece is wrestling with his own a fear of vulnerability, a carefully constructed persona, and an endless struggle to accept who he truly is.
As the night spirals into the absurd, a series of unexpected events, a complicated ex, an equally complicated family, and a relationship that threatens to upend his entire worldview, force him to confront his deepest anxieties. With the help of a few unexpected allies, a handsome “roommate,” and a surprising amount of support from the people he least expected, Reece begins a chaotic, darkly funny journey of self-discovery, learning that true happiness isn't about avoiding the mess, but about embracing the beautiful, flawed reality of life.
A poignant exploration of self-acceptance, authentic connection, and the transformative power of vulnerability, Happyish is a story for anyone who has ever felt like they didn't belong.
DNF at 13%, The narrator spends the entire time being moody about wanting to be alone but also has a lot of people in his life that want to be there for him, also would have greatly benefited from an editor. The writing style is decent, just don’t care for the melodrama of it all.