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Happily Whatever After
A dark comedy about putting yourself in unexpected places, reaching for your dreams, and believing in second chances.
Thirtysomething Page was content with her life in New York City—until it went to the dogs. Unceremoniously dumped by her boyfriend of four years and fired from her art gallery job in the same week, she flees to Washington, DC, and moves in with her big brother. She hopes the new setting and familial comfort will help her finally find her bearings. What Page finds instead is an unlikely refuge: a park for the neighborhood’s poshest pooches, and a quirky pack of companionable dog-run regulars who become fast friends.
Both four-legged and two-, these new allies offer Page a world of possibilities. The woman who hit rock bottom now has dreams: of having her own business, getting her own place, and even wilder ones about the ruggedly handsome owner of a vineyard and two equally fetching Bernese mountain dogs.
Unleashed from all that once held her back, Page finds everything might be falling into place. But just when she thinks her life is headed in the right direction, the road takes a sharp turn to show her just how unpredictable second chances can be. Will Page get her happily ever after? Is there even such a thing?
Witty, smartly funny, and modernly romantic, Happily Whatever After shows us all that sometimes imperfect can still be good enough.
Thirtysomething Page was content with her life in New York City—until it went to the dogs. Unceremoniously dumped by her boyfriend of four years and fired from her art gallery job in the same week, she flees to Washington, DC, and moves in with her big brother. She hopes the new setting and familial comfort will help her finally find her bearings. What Page finds instead is an unlikely refuge: a park for the neighborhood’s poshest pooches, and a quirky pack of companionable dog-run regulars who become fast friends.
Both four-legged and two-, these new allies offer Page a world of possibilities. The woman who hit rock bottom now has dreams: of having her own business, getting her own place, and even wilder ones about the ruggedly handsome owner of a vineyard and two equally fetching Bernese mountain dogs.
Unleashed from all that once held her back, Page finds everything might be falling into place. But just when she thinks her life is headed in the right direction, the road takes a sharp turn to show her just how unpredictable second chances can be. Will Page get her happily ever after? Is there even such a thing?
Witty, smartly funny, and modernly romantic, Happily Whatever After shows us all that sometimes imperfect can still be good enough.
287 pages, Paperback
First published July 28, 2020
231 people are currently reading
610 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 197 reviews
May 28, 2025
Messy, snarky, sometimes a little crude — just like real life. I didn’t hate it; in fact, I enjoyed the ride.
I wouldn’t necessarily call this the greatest love story ever written, but it definitely kept me entertained and engaged until the end. Lately I’ve been struggling with reads and losing patience fast, so the fact that I actually finished this one feels like a win.
HAPPILY WHATEVER AFTER is a fun and heartfelt romantic comedy with a little more depth than I expected. Huge thanks to Stewart Lewis for sending me a copy — even though it took me longer than I would have liked to read it. Maybe it was meant to be though, because I ended up pairing my physical copy with the audiobook narrated by Kelsey Navarro, and she made the story even more entertaining.
Page’s journey is funny, messy, and at times bittersweet as she starts over after everything falls apart. I loved the dog park setting and the quirky group of new friends she finds there. Let’s be honest, the dogs kind of stole the show. Page herself could be snarky (loved that), sometimes crude (didn’t love that as much), but also genuinely witty and funny. She made me laugh more than once, and I found myself rooting for her despite her flaws.
Was her story unbelievably convenient at times? Absolutely. But hey, it’s a story — and sometimes that’s exactly what you want.
This might not be the most original story ever, but it has heart. I appreciated how Stewart Lewis mixed light romantic moments with harsher realities and some real sadness. The message about second chances and imperfect happily-ever-afters really hit home.
Norma’s Stats:
Cover: Fun, bright, and a perfect fit for the vibe of the story.
Title: Clever, modern, and fitting.
Writing/Prose: Sharp, witty, heartfelt, sometimes a little crude, but always engaging.
Plot: Loving, sad, hopeful, funny, and escapist.
Ending: Satisfying and sweet.
Overall: A light but meaningful read about new beginnings, unexpected friendships, and figuring things out one messy step at a time. Thank you again to Stewart Lewis for sending me a copy to read and review. I really enjoyed Page’s journey!
Rating: 3.5 ⭐️ (Rated up because it kept me hooked when I needed it most!)
I wouldn’t necessarily call this the greatest love story ever written, but it definitely kept me entertained and engaged until the end. Lately I’ve been struggling with reads and losing patience fast, so the fact that I actually finished this one feels like a win.
HAPPILY WHATEVER AFTER is a fun and heartfelt romantic comedy with a little more depth than I expected. Huge thanks to Stewart Lewis for sending me a copy — even though it took me longer than I would have liked to read it. Maybe it was meant to be though, because I ended up pairing my physical copy with the audiobook narrated by Kelsey Navarro, and she made the story even more entertaining.
Page’s journey is funny, messy, and at times bittersweet as she starts over after everything falls apart. I loved the dog park setting and the quirky group of new friends she finds there. Let’s be honest, the dogs kind of stole the show. Page herself could be snarky (loved that), sometimes crude (didn’t love that as much), but also genuinely witty and funny. She made me laugh more than once, and I found myself rooting for her despite her flaws.
Was her story unbelievably convenient at times? Absolutely. But hey, it’s a story — and sometimes that’s exactly what you want.
This might not be the most original story ever, but it has heart. I appreciated how Stewart Lewis mixed light romantic moments with harsher realities and some real sadness. The message about second chances and imperfect happily-ever-afters really hit home.
Norma’s Stats:
Cover: Fun, bright, and a perfect fit for the vibe of the story.
Title: Clever, modern, and fitting.
Writing/Prose: Sharp, witty, heartfelt, sometimes a little crude, but always engaging.
Plot: Loving, sad, hopeful, funny, and escapist.
Ending: Satisfying and sweet.
Overall: A light but meaningful read about new beginnings, unexpected friendships, and figuring things out one messy step at a time. Thank you again to Stewart Lewis for sending me a copy to read and review. I really enjoyed Page’s journey!
Rating: 3.5 ⭐️ (Rated up because it kept me hooked when I needed it most!)
March 19, 2020
I received a complimentary copy of this ebook ARC from the author, publisher, and netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Page's life has been turned upside down. When she loses her job and boyfriend, she moves in with her brother Brady in Washington DC until she gets back on her feet again. It is only when she makes some new friends at a dog park that her life slowly begins to turn around. Will Page be able to make her dream of having her own gallery come true and find love too? Read on and find out for yourself.
This was an amazing Romantic Comedy women's fiction story. I loved the character of Brady. He is a charismatic young man who enjoyed every day as it came and was very successful at his job as a restaurant owner. I loved the reference to John Cusack. I loved the main character Page. I loved how she took charge of her life after being dealt a bad hand by life. Page at the beginning lacked confidence in herself but later on began to slowly gain it back after she went through her misadventures in the DC area.
If you like Romantic Comedies, be sure to check this book out when it officially comes out to bookstores and wherever books and ebooks are sold on July 28,2020. You will not be disappointed. This is a great read!
Page's life has been turned upside down. When she loses her job and boyfriend, she moves in with her brother Brady in Washington DC until she gets back on her feet again. It is only when she makes some new friends at a dog park that her life slowly begins to turn around. Will Page be able to make her dream of having her own gallery come true and find love too? Read on and find out for yourself.
This was an amazing Romantic Comedy women's fiction story. I loved the character of Brady. He is a charismatic young man who enjoyed every day as it came and was very successful at his job as a restaurant owner. I loved the reference to John Cusack. I loved the main character Page. I loved how she took charge of her life after being dealt a bad hand by life. Page at the beginning lacked confidence in herself but later on began to slowly gain it back after she went through her misadventures in the DC area.
If you like Romantic Comedies, be sure to check this book out when it officially comes out to bookstores and wherever books and ebooks are sold on July 28,2020. You will not be disappointed. This is a great read!
July 1, 2020
After being dumped by her boyfriend of four years and fired from her job, Page decides to move to Washington, DC, to live with her big brother. Page finds there an unlikely refuge: a dog park. And just when she thinks her life is headed in the right direction, the road takes a sharp turn to show her just how unpredictable second chances can be.
Happily Whatever After is a sweet and funny story about love and second chances. It was fast and easy to read, with likeable characters. If you like Romantic Comedies this is the book for you.
Thank you Stewart Lewis for giving me a copy of your book in exchange for an honest review.
http://www.instagram.com/booksandcoff...
Happily Whatever After is a sweet and funny story about love and second chances. It was fast and easy to read, with likeable characters. If you like Romantic Comedies this is the book for you.
Thank you Stewart Lewis for giving me a copy of your book in exchange for an honest review.
http://www.instagram.com/booksandcoff...
February 29, 2020
Page thought she had it all: a great job at an art gallery, fabulous job and living in NYC - until it all went to crap at once.
Page moves in with her brother Brady to DC for a fresh start. Her favorite thing to do is go to the dog park. Some wonder why she has no dog and others think she’s the weird new woman. Page forms unexpected friendships with the dog owners finding happiness outside her comfort zone.
She needs a job, a boyfriend and a dog- not necessarily in that order. Could these crazy new acquaintances be the key?
Page moves in with her brother Brady to DC for a fresh start. Her favorite thing to do is go to the dog park. Some wonder why she has no dog and others think she’s the weird new woman. Page forms unexpected friendships with the dog owners finding happiness outside her comfort zone.
She needs a job, a boyfriend and a dog- not necessarily in that order. Could these crazy new acquaintances be the key?
March 1, 2020
Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for this arc.
A sweet and predictable easy read. Page's complacency with her New York life is shattered when she loses her job and her boyfriend in the same week and she relocates to Washington DC to live with her brother. Without a job or a social life or even a dog, she starts hanging out at a dog park for lack of anything better to do with herself. She meets a collection of OTT characters and her social life starts to pick up from there.
A sweet and predictable easy read. Page's complacency with her New York life is shattered when she loses her job and her boyfriend in the same week and she relocates to Washington DC to live with her brother. Without a job or a social life or even a dog, she starts hanging out at a dog park for lack of anything better to do with herself. She meets a collection of OTT characters and her social life starts to pick up from there.
June 28, 2020
This was such a witty emotional read that I couldn't put down. It starts with Page's life being turned upside down in New York so she moves to DC to live with her charming and successful brother. While there she tries to find the momentum to turn everything around without backpedaling.
What I loved about this book:
1. Page's optimism and resilience was quite inspiring and I absolutely adored her character. While she could be a bit judgemental at times, her honesty was refreshing and I enjoyed her character growth. She was a really well developed and believable chatacter.
2. The sibling relationship between Page and Brady was so heartwarming and was the reason this book was so emotional. Make sure you have tissues near by because I cried my eyes out a time or two.
3. The unique plot of chance encounters at a dog park was engaging and very entertaining.
I really enjoyed this book as I laughed and cried along with Page. If you're looking for a great escapism read, you should definitely pick up a copy.
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for my gifted copy.
What I loved about this book:
1. Page's optimism and resilience was quite inspiring and I absolutely adored her character. While she could be a bit judgemental at times, her honesty was refreshing and I enjoyed her character growth. She was a really well developed and believable chatacter.
2. The sibling relationship between Page and Brady was so heartwarming and was the reason this book was so emotional. Make sure you have tissues near by because I cried my eyes out a time or two.
3. The unique plot of chance encounters at a dog park was engaging and very entertaining.
I really enjoyed this book as I laughed and cried along with Page. If you're looking for a great escapism read, you should definitely pick up a copy.
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for my gifted copy.
June 26, 2020
A charming, witty, soothing and utterly hilarious read! I laughed, cried, smiled along with Page who truly came alive in the book. You have to read it to see how beautifully this character has been penned. There is drama, relationships, friendship, being there for each other and so much more to learn form it. A perfect read during this depressing lockdown time. I LOVED it!!!
CHECK OUT MY FULL REVIEW HERE!
Connect with me on:
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CHECK OUT MY FULL REVIEW HERE!
Connect with me on:
Instagram | Twitter | Blog
July 12, 2020
Thank you to the author, Amazon Publishing and Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.
I was excited and enjoyed the premise of this novel. A woman in her thirties going through a change in her career, personal life and trying to learn how to adjust her expectations of herself and others. This is an interesting premise, but ultimately it fell flat for me.
I was overall not able to invest in the main character, Page, her ambitions, choices or thoughts. Page is an extremely opinionated person, which can make having relationships with her challenging. Reading the novel through her eyes was a challenging experience because I was not able to gain any empathy for her thoughts or actions.
I am disappointed in this novel because it had so much potential, but ultimately I found myself unable to connect with the the main character and worst of all I did not care, which is rare for my reading sensibility.
I was excited and enjoyed the premise of this novel. A woman in her thirties going through a change in her career, personal life and trying to learn how to adjust her expectations of herself and others. This is an interesting premise, but ultimately it fell flat for me.
I was overall not able to invest in the main character, Page, her ambitions, choices or thoughts. Page is an extremely opinionated person, which can make having relationships with her challenging. Reading the novel through her eyes was a challenging experience because I was not able to gain any empathy for her thoughts or actions.
I am disappointed in this novel because it had so much potential, but ultimately I found myself unable to connect with the the main character and worst of all I did not care, which is rare for my reading sensibility.
May 24, 2020
Thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is not exactly my favorite genre, I almost gave up after the first few chapters but I continued it and I've liked it.
Page's life is going down, she broke up with her boyfriend, lost her jop and she moved in with her brother Brady to DC and started a new life. New acquaintances will take place in a dog park.
Stewart Lewis tells about how starting over in your mid thirties: start a new life, trying to pass every obstacle. Although I didn’t fully empathize with Page, I really liked the secondary characters.
I like the writing style, it is very smooth, the pages fly away in a second.
This is not exactly my favorite genre, I almost gave up after the first few chapters but I continued it and I've liked it.
Page's life is going down, she broke up with her boyfriend, lost her jop and she moved in with her brother Brady to DC and started a new life. New acquaintances will take place in a dog park.
Stewart Lewis tells about how starting over in your mid thirties: start a new life, trying to pass every obstacle. Although I didn’t fully empathize with Page, I really liked the secondary characters.
I like the writing style, it is very smooth, the pages fly away in a second.
June 5, 2020
Happily Whatever After is supposed to be a dark comedy, but I wish it would have had little more of that dark humor. The MC was sarcastic, but I wanted more. This is my first book by Stewart Lewis and I do think the writing is easy to follow, but I'm just not a fan of the plot.
Page just moved to DC from NYC after losing not only her job, but also her boyfriend. She moves in with her brother and tries her hardest to go through these new hurdles. Page is most definitely a dog person and spends most days at the dog park watching other people with their four-legged companions. We follow Page through her everyday life of meeting new friends, love interest and the job market.
"Some of us blossom after the rain."
Page's story is about starting over, meeting new people and having confidence in one's own abilities. I loved the message the book sent and being a dog person myself, I enjoyed the attention all the fur babies got.
Page's relationship with her older brother Brady was beautiful, but her relationships with other people needed a little. I kept on hoping something exciting would happen, but at 56% it was pretty clear that this wasn't the kind of book for me. A lot of the chapters are just about Page going to the dog park and talking to random people she meets. I wanted more interactions with her and Marc because I really didn't feel the love connection at all.
Overall I guess I was just hoping for less fillers and more interactions with everyone.
I received a free advanced copy from the author/ publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Page just moved to DC from NYC after losing not only her job, but also her boyfriend. She moves in with her brother and tries her hardest to go through these new hurdles. Page is most definitely a dog person and spends most days at the dog park watching other people with their four-legged companions. We follow Page through her everyday life of meeting new friends, love interest and the job market.
"Some of us blossom after the rain."
Page's story is about starting over, meeting new people and having confidence in one's own abilities. I loved the message the book sent and being a dog person myself, I enjoyed the attention all the fur babies got.
Page's relationship with her older brother Brady was beautiful, but her relationships with other people needed a little. I kept on hoping something exciting would happen, but at 56% it was pretty clear that this wasn't the kind of book for me. A lot of the chapters are just about Page going to the dog park and talking to random people she meets. I wanted more interactions with her and Marc because I really didn't feel the love connection at all.
Overall I guess I was just hoping for less fillers and more interactions with everyone.
I received a free advanced copy from the author/ publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review.
August 14, 2020
I didn’t care about the story, it was very cheesy and fluffy, but I loved listening to it, the narrator did a great job 👌🏼👌🏼
July 24, 2020
“You don’t have to have a dog to be a dog person!” - me, dogless, agreeing with Page, the heroine of Happily Whatever After.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
•
Page moves to DC to live with her brother hoping for a fresh start, and quickly makes the local dog park her usual haunt. The only problem? Page doesn’t actually have a dog. Happily Whatever After starts a bit slow as we meet each of the characters in Page’s local dog park, but picks up as she begins to form relationships with each of them. I love the dog park vibe of striking up a conversation with a random stranger and creating a community of new friends.
•
For most of the novel, Page is hyper-focused on landing a new man, but has unrelated ups and downs along the way that make her an engaging heroine. I really enjoyed the eclectic supporting cast, and I loved the time Page spent with each of them. Nadine and Preston were my absolute favorites! We do see a few truly odd moments from Page, which I hate chalking up to “male-author-writing-female-character,” but that was the vibe I got.
•
This dark comedy comes with a dash of tragedy and a side of hope: don’t go into this thinking it will be a typical rom-com. The short chapters are perfect for this story, and this novel moves quickly once it hits its stride. There are gems of wit sprinkled throughout and the descriptions of the art sound quite intriguing. The sibling relationship between Page and Brady is wonderfully written, and I was cheering for him throughout the novel.
•
As things start to wrap up, we see flashes of growth from Page, and more merriment from her crew. Her story was enjoyable, and I give this read a solid three stars out of five!
⭐️⭐️⭐️
•
Happily Whatever After is available on July 28th. Thank you to Lake Union Publishing (an imprint of @amazonpublishing) and @netgalley for this #gifted e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
•
Follow me on Instagram @whatalexreads for book reviews, recommendations, and more!
⭐️⭐️⭐️
•
Page moves to DC to live with her brother hoping for a fresh start, and quickly makes the local dog park her usual haunt. The only problem? Page doesn’t actually have a dog. Happily Whatever After starts a bit slow as we meet each of the characters in Page’s local dog park, but picks up as she begins to form relationships with each of them. I love the dog park vibe of striking up a conversation with a random stranger and creating a community of new friends.
•
For most of the novel, Page is hyper-focused on landing a new man, but has unrelated ups and downs along the way that make her an engaging heroine. I really enjoyed the eclectic supporting cast, and I loved the time Page spent with each of them. Nadine and Preston were my absolute favorites! We do see a few truly odd moments from Page, which I hate chalking up to “male-author-writing-female-character,” but that was the vibe I got.
•
This dark comedy comes with a dash of tragedy and a side of hope: don’t go into this thinking it will be a typical rom-com. The short chapters are perfect for this story, and this novel moves quickly once it hits its stride. There are gems of wit sprinkled throughout and the descriptions of the art sound quite intriguing. The sibling relationship between Page and Brady is wonderfully written, and I was cheering for him throughout the novel.
•
As things start to wrap up, we see flashes of growth from Page, and more merriment from her crew. Her story was enjoyable, and I give this read a solid three stars out of five!
⭐️⭐️⭐️
•
Happily Whatever After is available on July 28th. Thank you to Lake Union Publishing (an imprint of @amazonpublishing) and @netgalley for this #gifted e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
•
Follow me on Instagram @whatalexreads for book reviews, recommendations, and more!
July 24, 2020
Thank you NetGallery for a free E-Arc of this book in exchange for an honest review! This is a book about second chances after everything in Paige's life goes up in flames in a matter of one day from the loss of her job to her long time boyfriend dumping her, she finds herself moving to Washington D.C. in order to live with her brother and make a fresh start! While Paige is struggling with the way her life is at the age of 34, she spends her days at the local dog park even though she does not have a dog. As she begins to meet and learn about the different people and dogs at the dog park, she begins to find herself on a journey of self discovery and chasing her dreams of opening an art gallery! The book begs the reader to ask the question: "Are you ever too old to have a second chance at finding your dream life?"
This book has a fabulous cast of misfit characters that help Paige along her journey! I loved how witty and strong Paige was throughout this book despite the curve balls life kept throwing at her and her family. Each character was well developed and complex, with a very realistic feel to them. I enjoyed Paige's daydreams about one of the locals that brings his dogs to the park. The pacing was well done! The writing and plot lines kept me engaged until the very end! I had no choice, but to finish this book in one sitting! The romance was very sweet and had me smiling! Overall, I loved the ending and was well satisfied with how things turned out for our favorite couple! I would recommend this book to those who love a sweet romantic comedy and who have always believed it is never too late to have a second chance! I can't wait to read more books by this author!
This book has a fabulous cast of misfit characters that help Paige along her journey! I loved how witty and strong Paige was throughout this book despite the curve balls life kept throwing at her and her family. Each character was well developed and complex, with a very realistic feel to them. I enjoyed Paige's daydreams about one of the locals that brings his dogs to the park. The pacing was well done! The writing and plot lines kept me engaged until the very end! I had no choice, but to finish this book in one sitting! The romance was very sweet and had me smiling! Overall, I loved the ending and was well satisfied with how things turned out for our favorite couple! I would recommend this book to those who love a sweet romantic comedy and who have always believed it is never too late to have a second chance! I can't wait to read more books by this author!
July 20, 2020
The concept of this book seemed really great but I just don't feel it was executed well. The main character's story centers around the fact that she goes to a dog park daily even though she doesn't have her own dog. She meets an assortment of characters throughout her visits and each has their own story to tell. I somewhat enjoyed one of the first people she encountered but I couldn't get pas the writing. It seemed like the author was trying too hard to fit in with today's culture by speaking the way millennial's do today but it wasn't working for me. I got some background information on our main character but not enough. I just couldn't connect :-( Maybe for someone else, this will be better!
July 27, 2020
Thanks to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
I wanted to like this book so much. I used to spend a lot of time in DC and it's, a book where a lot of it takes place in a dog park, but unfortunately that's where the good things ended for me.
I ultimately DNFd at 55%. The beginning was fun, but after the first few chapters I just felt like the scenarios just kept repeating themselves..
I wanted to like this book so much. I used to spend a lot of time in DC and it's, a book where a lot of it takes place in a dog park, but unfortunately that's where the good things ended for me.
I ultimately DNFd at 55%. The beginning was fun, but after the first few chapters I just felt like the scenarios just kept repeating themselves..
July 9, 2020
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Thank you, Netgalley and Amazon Publishing for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.⠀
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And I'm about to get REALLY HONEST. I hate being a bad sport and hating books because if I was an author it would break my heart to have someone hate my story... but I absolutely loathed this book. ⠀
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The premise is fabulous. Page is down on her luck: she's in her mid-thirties, she's been dumped by her longtime boyfriend, and fired from her job. She moves to D.C. to live with her brother while she gets back on her feet. Page loves dogs, but since she doesn't have her own yet... she spends her days reading trashy romance novels at the local dog park. Sounds cute, right? ⠀
⠀
It's a labeled a dark romantic comedy. Except... I didn't feel like there was any romance. Or anything I would consider comedy. The only darkness is the black cloud hanging over the main character. Page is the most judgmental and cruel protagonist I have come across in the "romantic comedy" genre. She judges every. single. person. she crosses paths with at the dog park. And let me just tell you... there's A LOT OF CHARACTERS. So many unnecessary characters. The "love interest" is hardly seen (you don't even find out his actual name until you're 80% in). Page makes nasty comments about people's weight, religion, looks, status, etc. the entire book. She mocks her mother who struggles with alcoholism while getting drunk basically every chapter. It was so frustrating to see. Around 80% in, there is an actual storyline that makes you believe Page may change. Maybe I didn't waste my time, I thought. Nope. At the end she reflects and says "maybe I shouldn't be so judgmental" ...and two sentences later she's ridiculing someone's wardrobe choice.⠀
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This is the last book I force myself to finish. It was painful and a waste of my time. I can't recommend. To my surprise, there have been several positive reviews, so maybe my opinion is an outlier. If you want to see for yourself... it will be available on July 28th, 2020!
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Thank you, Netgalley and Amazon Publishing for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.⠀
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And I'm about to get REALLY HONEST. I hate being a bad sport and hating books because if I was an author it would break my heart to have someone hate my story... but I absolutely loathed this book. ⠀
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The premise is fabulous. Page is down on her luck: she's in her mid-thirties, she's been dumped by her longtime boyfriend, and fired from her job. She moves to D.C. to live with her brother while she gets back on her feet. Page loves dogs, but since she doesn't have her own yet... she spends her days reading trashy romance novels at the local dog park. Sounds cute, right? ⠀
⠀
It's a labeled a dark romantic comedy. Except... I didn't feel like there was any romance. Or anything I would consider comedy. The only darkness is the black cloud hanging over the main character. Page is the most judgmental and cruel protagonist I have come across in the "romantic comedy" genre. She judges every. single. person. she crosses paths with at the dog park. And let me just tell you... there's A LOT OF CHARACTERS. So many unnecessary characters. The "love interest" is hardly seen (you don't even find out his actual name until you're 80% in). Page makes nasty comments about people's weight, religion, looks, status, etc. the entire book. She mocks her mother who struggles with alcoholism while getting drunk basically every chapter. It was so frustrating to see. Around 80% in, there is an actual storyline that makes you believe Page may change. Maybe I didn't waste my time, I thought. Nope. At the end she reflects and says "maybe I shouldn't be so judgmental" ...and two sentences later she's ridiculing someone's wardrobe choice.⠀
⠀
This is the last book I force myself to finish. It was painful and a waste of my time. I can't recommend. To my surprise, there have been several positive reviews, so maybe my opinion is an outlier. If you want to see for yourself... it will be available on July 28th, 2020!
May 12, 2020
This book is an adorable, witty, and completely unique chick lit read that really does have it all.
When Paige moves to DC from New York because her life has essentially fallen apart, she needs to reinvent herself. But starting over in your 30s...not easy. Thanks to a wonderful cast of characters she meets at the dog park and her brother, she'll find a new version of happily-ever-after.
I loved the quirks added to all of the characters in this book. Paige, for example, goes to the dog park every day even though she doesn't have a dog. These details really add personality to the novel. This isn't your typical "meet cute" chick lit read. There is depth and so many unique events that happen. That's what I really loved... it isn't predictable.
There are also heavy moments as her brother deals with some situations. I liked that this book had an honest portrayal of what it's like to start over in your thirties while showing that there is hope. I loved everything about this book and would recommend it to fans of Sophie Kinsella.
I will definitely look for more works from this amazing, talented author.
L.A. Detwiler, USA Today Bestselling author of The Widow Next Door
When Paige moves to DC from New York because her life has essentially fallen apart, she needs to reinvent herself. But starting over in your 30s...not easy. Thanks to a wonderful cast of characters she meets at the dog park and her brother, she'll find a new version of happily-ever-after.
I loved the quirks added to all of the characters in this book. Paige, for example, goes to the dog park every day even though she doesn't have a dog. These details really add personality to the novel. This isn't your typical "meet cute" chick lit read. There is depth and so many unique events that happen. That's what I really loved... it isn't predictable.
There are also heavy moments as her brother deals with some situations. I liked that this book had an honest portrayal of what it's like to start over in your thirties while showing that there is hope. I loved everything about this book and would recommend it to fans of Sophie Kinsella.
I will definitely look for more works from this amazing, talented author.
L.A. Detwiler, USA Today Bestselling author of The Widow Next Door
May 14, 2020
Happily Whatever After Is the Perfect Rainy Day Read
Happily Whatever After is a fun, breezy novel about thirty-something Page who travels to Washington, D.C. to pick up the pieces after she loses both her job and her relationship. This novel by Stewart Lewis is a romantic comedy perfect for fans of Sex & the City and Must Love Dogs. I picked up this novel by chance and I’m glad I did. It’s the perfect escapist read to lift your spirits if you’re stuck at home in quarantine.
Despite the romantic comedy genre, this novel has some great emotional moments and it’s easy for readers to care about the characters. If you like chick-lit or you’re looking for something out of your comfort zone, Happily Whatever After is a novel worth your time. On a personal note, I love music so I appreciated all the musical references in the novel too. And the story doesn’t end the way you expect it to, which makes it even more of a joy to read.
Happily Whatever After is a fun, breezy novel about thirty-something Page who travels to Washington, D.C. to pick up the pieces after she loses both her job and her relationship. This novel by Stewart Lewis is a romantic comedy perfect for fans of Sex & the City and Must Love Dogs. I picked up this novel by chance and I’m glad I did. It’s the perfect escapist read to lift your spirits if you’re stuck at home in quarantine.
Despite the romantic comedy genre, this novel has some great emotional moments and it’s easy for readers to care about the characters. If you like chick-lit or you’re looking for something out of your comfort zone, Happily Whatever After is a novel worth your time. On a personal note, I love music so I appreciated all the musical references in the novel too. And the story doesn’t end the way you expect it to, which makes it even more of a joy to read.
May 26, 2020
Thank you NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and Stewart Lewis for lending me an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Page has nothing to complain about. She’s in her thirties and thriving, working at a New York city art gallery and a long term boyfriend. Page finds herself running away to her brother’s on D.C when she loses her job and her relationship on the same day. She’s hoping to find a soft place to land while she gets her life together. Instead she finds herself friends with the local dog park regulars. Page begins to dream of a new life for herself, one that involves starting her own business, buying a house and maybe spending some alone time with the owner of the vineyard.
I personally wasn’t a big fan of Page’s. She felt pretty shallow and judgemental and I just didn’t find myself relating to her very much. I DNF at 50%. On to the next!
Page has nothing to complain about. She’s in her thirties and thriving, working at a New York city art gallery and a long term boyfriend. Page finds herself running away to her brother’s on D.C when she loses her job and her relationship on the same day. She’s hoping to find a soft place to land while she gets her life together. Instead she finds herself friends with the local dog park regulars. Page begins to dream of a new life for herself, one that involves starting her own business, buying a house and maybe spending some alone time with the owner of the vineyard.
I personally wasn’t a big fan of Page’s. She felt pretty shallow and judgemental and I just didn’t find myself relating to her very much. I DNF at 50%. On to the next!
December 24, 2021
34-year-old Page is suddenly jobless and single, so she moves to DC to live with her brother. She starts going to a dog park (although she doesn't own a dog) and starts meeting a variety of people.
I must admit that at first I didn't like the main character, and basing on her behavior I thought she was in her early twenties than being 34. Also, some of the encounters with the people in the dog park were rather strange, making a big connection in only one or two meet-ups.
However, in the second part of the book, the relationships with the people in the park were more stable and built-up, and Page was more mature and centered. I liked the second part of the book more than the first one (except for the sad parts).
** Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion **
I must admit that at first I didn't like the main character, and basing on her behavior I thought she was in her early twenties than being 34. Also, some of the encounters with the people in the dog park were rather strange, making a big connection in only one or two meet-ups.
However, in the second part of the book, the relationships with the people in the park were more stable and built-up, and Page was more mature and centered. I liked the second part of the book more than the first one (except for the sad parts).
** Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion **
March 12, 2020
It took me a awhile to get through this book because i was really unclear what it wanted to be. The relationships in this book are cringeworthy; I’m still in shock that the protagonist’s obsession actually amounted to anything. Speaking of, her personality was unlikable. I found myself rooting against her, especially with her little quips about her not looking her age. I imagine it was supposed to come off as her confidence growing but it didn’t work for me.
I’m also all for a little vulgarity in my fiction, but this just didn’t hit right and felt almost more dirty than it needed to be. I wouldn’t read something else by this author.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I’m also all for a little vulgarity in my fiction, but this just didn’t hit right and felt almost more dirty than it needed to be. I wouldn’t read something else by this author.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 29, 2020
read additional quotes here.
This book took me by surprise like I sat down reading and I was laughing my head off.
Page moved in with his brother Brady living in DC after getting dumped by his long term boyfriend of 4 years and after a week got fired in her art gallery work. She’s in her mid-thirties with no plans at all and she finds herself in the dog park without a dog which was odd but she absolutely love dogs and there she meets different people and even find herself a crush.
I liked that the author really stick to its word because there’s really fur babies in each chapter.
This was light and a fun read I had a blast with it despite in the middle when Page found out about Brady’s cancer the tone was still light it didn’t plummet into the heaviness of the situation.
What I liked about this book? It has distinct characters and they blend well together from Page, Brady, Jane, Preston and Barkley and even Banana Republic hence Mark. All throughout the book she was described as bland, boring, quick to judge and lost which I disagree because after meeting Barkley and Preston she is spontaneous. I think she just needed a push with that breakup and getting fired so she can stand up by her own feet. I absolutely love the chemistry of Page’s, Preston’s and Barkley’s friendship it was so sweet and heartwarming they were fast friends but it was genuine and so unexpected. There were many characters here than your normal book but the author did an excellent job making them recognizable and I don’t find myself getting confused.
Page humor is stellar in this book and is my cup of tea. I laughed so hard in that part where she stalked Banana Republic’s winery and she had to crawl to get in the car it was hilarious. I love seeing Page branching out, meeting this people and growing and gaining confidence in herself.
Page eventually opening her art gallery, getting her own fur baby and Brady getting remission was amazing she was getting back in track and in the end with Mark was cherry on top.
Banana Republic or Mark wasn’t in the most of the story it was mostly Page with her set of chaotic colorful of friends helping her but when Mark finally shows up and left an impression with me even the story was almost done he made me swoon with that first date that was *chef’s kiss*
It was fun, light and filled with fur ball of happiness!!
This book took me by surprise like I sat down reading and I was laughing my head off.
Page moved in with his brother Brady living in DC after getting dumped by his long term boyfriend of 4 years and after a week got fired in her art gallery work. She’s in her mid-thirties with no plans at all and she finds herself in the dog park without a dog which was odd but she absolutely love dogs and there she meets different people and even find herself a crush.
I liked that the author really stick to its word because there’s really fur babies in each chapter.
This was light and a fun read I had a blast with it despite in the middle when Page found out about Brady’s cancer the tone was still light it didn’t plummet into the heaviness of the situation.
What I liked about this book? It has distinct characters and they blend well together from Page, Brady, Jane, Preston and Barkley and even Banana Republic hence Mark. All throughout the book she was described as bland, boring, quick to judge and lost which I disagree because after meeting Barkley and Preston she is spontaneous. I think she just needed a push with that breakup and getting fired so she can stand up by her own feet. I absolutely love the chemistry of Page’s, Preston’s and Barkley’s friendship it was so sweet and heartwarming they were fast friends but it was genuine and so unexpected. There were many characters here than your normal book but the author did an excellent job making them recognizable and I don’t find myself getting confused.
Page humor is stellar in this book and is my cup of tea. I laughed so hard in that part where she stalked Banana Republic’s winery and she had to crawl to get in the car it was hilarious. I love seeing Page branching out, meeting this people and growing and gaining confidence in herself.
Page eventually opening her art gallery, getting her own fur baby and Brady getting remission was amazing she was getting back in track and in the end with Mark was cherry on top.
Banana Republic or Mark wasn’t in the most of the story it was mostly Page with her set of chaotic colorful of friends helping her but when Mark finally shows up and left an impression with me even the story was almost done he made me swoon with that first date that was *chef’s kiss*
It was fun, light and filled with fur ball of happiness!!
July 16, 2020
The characters in this book and the writing style were delightful! The main character's talents and tendencies for making connections to others, plus the charming dog park that so much of her circle's lives intersected at, made the reading process so charming.
I have to admit, it took me a while to realize what the point of the book even was, because the beginning felt very slow and not really monumental in any way, but it only made the rest of Page's adventures so much more fun to read.
There were a few details of the plot that had me wary, like why-does-this-side-character-have-to-be-so-casually-creepy wary, but the way that the characters interacted in general and the author's stylistic choices about Page's inner narration made Happily Whatever After an overall pleasant experience.
I loved how the book, while it had its rom-com moments, did primarily serve to chronicle Page's challenges with finding her place and calling after trying for a fresh start (albeit not necessarily an active choice for her).
The loose ends were all addressed at the ending too! As endings go, this one left me a little too satisfied at how nicely events were wrapped up, but the feel-good nature of it all after all of the ups and downs was pretty nice.
My thanks to Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for the wonderful read!
I have to admit, it took me a while to realize what the point of the book even was, because the beginning felt very slow and not really monumental in any way, but it only made the rest of Page's adventures so much more fun to read.
There were a few details of the plot that had me wary, like why-does-this-side-character-have-to-be-so-casually-creepy wary, but the way that the characters interacted in general and the author's stylistic choices about Page's inner narration made Happily Whatever After an overall pleasant experience.
I loved how the book, while it had its rom-com moments, did primarily serve to chronicle Page's challenges with finding her place and calling after trying for a fresh start (albeit not necessarily an active choice for her).
The loose ends were all addressed at the ending too! As endings go, this one left me a little too satisfied at how nicely events were wrapped up, but the feel-good nature of it all after all of the ups and downs was pretty nice.
My thanks to Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for the wonderful read!
July 25, 2020
3.75 stars—HAPPILY WHATEVER AFTER by Stewart Lewis is a contemporary, adult story line following thirty-something Page, a former New York art gallery manager who finds herself in Washington DC, living with her successful, restaurateur brother Brady, whose own life is about to spiral out of control.
Told from first person perspective (Page) HAPPILY WHATEVER AFTER follows Page as she endeavours to move on with her life. Newly single and recently unemployed, Page moves to Washington DC , to live with her brother as she struggles to make sense of her life. Daily visits to the local dog park (sans dog) finds Page befriending an eclectic group of dog owners, many of whom will become part of our protagonists inner circle. From dog walker to gallery owner, Page watches from the sidelines believing life is passing her by but Page begins to focus on the what ifs, and sets out to reestablish herself in the world of art.
HAPPILY WHATEVER AFTER is a cute story with a little bit of humor, tragedy, heart break and love. Page’s eccentric friends would be better suited to the New York lifestyle but Stewart Lewis’ Washington DC is representative of the diverse and passionate world of friendships and relationships brought together by the four-legged animals everybody loves.
www.thereadingcafe.com
copy supplied by Netgalley
Told from first person perspective (Page) HAPPILY WHATEVER AFTER follows Page as she endeavours to move on with her life. Newly single and recently unemployed, Page moves to Washington DC , to live with her brother as she struggles to make sense of her life. Daily visits to the local dog park (sans dog) finds Page befriending an eclectic group of dog owners, many of whom will become part of our protagonists inner circle. From dog walker to gallery owner, Page watches from the sidelines believing life is passing her by but Page begins to focus on the what ifs, and sets out to reestablish herself in the world of art.
HAPPILY WHATEVER AFTER is a cute story with a little bit of humor, tragedy, heart break and love. Page’s eccentric friends would be better suited to the New York lifestyle but Stewart Lewis’ Washington DC is representative of the diverse and passionate world of friendships and relationships brought together by the four-legged animals everybody loves.
www.thereadingcafe.com
copy supplied by Netgalley
July 25, 2020
3.75 stars—HAPPILY WHATEVER AFTER by Stewart Lewis is a contemporary, adult story line following thirty-something Page, a former New York art gallery manager who finds herself in Washington DC, living with her successful, restaurateur brother Brady, whose own life is about to spiral out of control.
Told from first person perspective (Page) HAPPILY WHATEVER AFTER follows Page as she endeavours to move on with her life. Newly single and recently unemployed, Page moves to Washington DC , to live with her brother as she struggles to make sense of her life. Daily visits to the local dog park (sans dog) finds Page befriending an eclectic group of dog owners, many of whom will become part of our protagonists inner circle. From dog walker to gallery owner, Page watches from the sidelines believing life is passing her by but Page begins to focus on the what ifs, and sets out to reestablish herself in the world of art.
HAPPILY WHATEVER AFTER is a cute story with a little bit of humor, tragedy, heart break and love. Page’s eccentric friends would be better suited to the New York lifestyle but Stewart Lewis’ Washington DC is representative of the diverse and passionate world of friendships and relationships brought together by the four-legged animals everybody loves.
copy supplied for review
www.thereadingcafe.com
Told from first person perspective (Page) HAPPILY WHATEVER AFTER follows Page as she endeavours to move on with her life. Newly single and recently unemployed, Page moves to Washington DC , to live with her brother as she struggles to make sense of her life. Daily visits to the local dog park (sans dog) finds Page befriending an eclectic group of dog owners, many of whom will become part of our protagonists inner circle. From dog walker to gallery owner, Page watches from the sidelines believing life is passing her by but Page begins to focus on the what ifs, and sets out to reestablish herself in the world of art.
HAPPILY WHATEVER AFTER is a cute story with a little bit of humor, tragedy, heart break and love. Page’s eccentric friends would be better suited to the New York lifestyle but Stewart Lewis’ Washington DC is representative of the diverse and passionate world of friendships and relationships brought together by the four-legged animals everybody loves.
copy supplied for review
www.thereadingcafe.com
July 25, 2020
I received an ARC of this book to read in exchange for a fair review. Happily Whatever After is a Woman’s fiction novel by Stewart Lewis. After losing her Art Gallery job and being dumped by her boyfriend /place to live, Page has left New York and moved in with her brother Brady in Washington. Starting over is hard, and at a loose end, she starts spending time in the neighbourhood dog park even though she doesn’t have a dog. The park becomes a refuge where she makes friends, finds a temporary job, perhaps a career and maybe a romance. For once, everything seems to be going her way or at least until the third act dark moment. The book has a sweet friends to lovers storyline, the right combination of humour and angst, as well strong supporting characters. I enjoyed reading this book but wish the author had thought to maybe give Page a last name, its one of my bugaboos I know but it frustrates me when characters don’t have complete names. CW secondary character has cancer. Steam Level: Light. Publishing Date: July 28, 2020. #HappilyWhateverAfter #StewartLewis #LakeUnionPublishing #bookstagram #WomansFiction
March 1, 2021
Did not want to put this book down, and I mainlined it on a Sunday after bingeing through 20% the previous night. The story just flowed, and it came to life so beautifully. Was it very realistic? Heck no, but that's also why we read - to escape reality and find a world of ordinary magic that sweeps you away. This book had this for me, from the many characters with their quirks (and may I point out how clearly defined they were, even the little side characters that just pop in now and again, like Umbrella Woman and her fragile-looking Greyhound). I'm not a dog person (cat person here, but dogs are cute and loyal, I reckon that) but this made me smile at the animals' antics, at their descriptions, their distinct personalities.
The only thing I did scoff at a bit was that the ending/last 10% felt a bit rushed...but then again, I loved spending time in this world, so seeing it come to an end was bittersweet for me.
Laughs, smiles, chills, tears (I cried buckets in a scene, and the tear-jerker moment was less than 10 lines long, I swear!) - loved, loved, loved the feels in this story.
My first read by Stewart Lewis - definitely not going to be my last!
The only thing I did scoff at a bit was that the ending/last 10% felt a bit rushed...but then again, I loved spending time in this world, so seeing it come to an end was bittersweet for me.
Laughs, smiles, chills, tears (I cried buckets in a scene, and the tear-jerker moment was less than 10 lines long, I swear!) - loved, loved, loved the feels in this story.
My first read by Stewart Lewis - definitely not going to be my last!
December 20, 2020
B⃞ O⃞ O⃞ K⃞ R⃞ E⃞ V⃞ I⃞ E⃞ W⃞
Happily Whatever After by Stewart Lewis
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5stars
Cute, charming, and funny. The best way to describe this one. It took me by complete surprise I honestly wasn’t sure how I was going to feel about it upon first glance. But i was pleasantly surprised.
Page is 34 years older, recently let go from her job and broken up from her long time boyfriend. She decides to move to DC to live with her brother and start her new life with a clean slate. Finding herself constantly at a local dog park... no she doesn’t have a dog, but she loves dogs... she finds unexpected friends, an unexpected crush and an unexpected game plan for her new life. When life throws her an unexpected curve ball regarding her brother, her family and friends push her to keep up her dreams, so she can get all she wants out of life.
I found this one to be extremely entertaining. Not only with comedy, but showing a woman coming into her own, and making her dreams a reality. I enjoyed all the characters, they were charming and lovable. It was a quick read, I finished it in a couple days. It wasn’t my favorite but I did really enjoy it!
Happily Whatever After by Stewart Lewis
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5stars
Cute, charming, and funny. The best way to describe this one. It took me by complete surprise I honestly wasn’t sure how I was going to feel about it upon first glance. But i was pleasantly surprised.
Page is 34 years older, recently let go from her job and broken up from her long time boyfriend. She decides to move to DC to live with her brother and start her new life with a clean slate. Finding herself constantly at a local dog park... no she doesn’t have a dog, but she loves dogs... she finds unexpected friends, an unexpected crush and an unexpected game plan for her new life. When life throws her an unexpected curve ball regarding her brother, her family and friends push her to keep up her dreams, so she can get all she wants out of life.
I found this one to be extremely entertaining. Not only with comedy, but showing a woman coming into her own, and making her dreams a reality. I enjoyed all the characters, they were charming and lovable. It was a quick read, I finished it in a couple days. It wasn’t my favorite but I did really enjoy it!
October 20, 2020
This one was a cute read, it was quirky and sweet at times and I wanted to really enjoy the story of her taking back her life as she moves on after being dumped. I struggled at times to connect with Page, I felt she was a little bit all over the place and it made it hard for me to want to keep reading. She held me back a little from absolutely loving the book, even thought I felt like we could have had so much in common.
I did enjoy the writing style & premise of the title but I just wanted something MORE, perhaps if it had been less of a slow burn I would have enjoyed it more - the second half was definitely better than the first. What I loved most about it was that it was more of a romance with herself, and learning to love herself.
3.5 stars from me!
I did enjoy the writing style & premise of the title but I just wanted something MORE, perhaps if it had been less of a slow burn I would have enjoyed it more - the second half was definitely better than the first. What I loved most about it was that it was more of a romance with herself, and learning to love herself.
3.5 stars from me!
June 24, 2020
Life... Finds A Way. Ok, so I blatantly ripped a line from a very famous franchise that has literally nothing at all to do with this book, but it completely fits. This is a fun, quirky story about how life's seemingly random encounters can turn out to work out quite well indeed, and it does a phenomenal job of making the ride just dramatic enough to twist the heartstrings while ultimately staying true to itself. If you're looking for a more laid back, "oh, this is happening now, ok" level of escapism in these trying times, this is the book you're going to want to pick up. Very much recommended.
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