Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.

Start by marking “A Happy Catastrophe” as Want to Read:

Other editions

Enlarge cover

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Open Preview

A Happy Catastrophe

Maddie Dawson (Goodreads Author)

4.17 · Rating details · 2,853 ratings · 385 reviews

From the bestselling author of Matchmaking for Beginners comes a novel about love, loss, and the beautiful mess of family.

Marnie MacGraw and Patrick Delaney have been in love for a few years now, enough to realize that they are imperfectly perfect together. Still, there are some things that maybe need a little attention. Marnie’s ebullient; he’s brooding. She thrives on ch ...more

Get A Copy

Or buy for $4.99

Kindle Edition, 381 pages

Published May 26th 2020 by Lake Union Publishing

More Details... Edit Details

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Reader Q&A

To ask other readers questions about A Happy Catastrophe, please sign up.

Be the first to ask a question about A Happy Catastrophe

Lists with This Book

The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers

ATY 2020 - A Book with an Emotion in the Title

528 books — 97 voters

More lists with this book...

Community Reviews

Showing 1-30

Average rating 4.17 ·

Rating details

· 2,853 ratings · 385 reviews

More filters

Sort order

Start your review of A Happy Catastrophe

May 27, 2020 Nilufer Ozmekik rated it really liked it

OMG! It’s always pleasure to read a sequel after enjoying a book so much and truly connect with its characters. So I felt like seeing an old friend as soon as I welcomed back Marnie and her powerful optimism and her ability to see the magic around everything in the world, bringing love and compassion to people’s lives.

As a fan of Matchmaking for beginners, I was really curious about how Patrick and Marnie’s story will evolve because there was still some kind of unresolved issues about their rel OMG! It’s always pleasure to read a sequel after enjoying a book so much and truly connect with its characters. So I felt like seeing an old friend as soon as I welcomed back Marnie and her powerful optimism and her ability to see the magic around everything in the world, bringing love and compassion to people’s lives.

As a fan of Matchmaking for beginners, I was really curious about how Patrick and Marnie’s story will evolve because there was still some kind of unresolved issues about their relationship including Patrick’s traumatic past, his inner and outer scars, their opposite characteristics. I was so worried at some point: Marnie’s positive, cheerful, entertaining way of approaching to the matters will not endure much and it may be affected by Patrick’s pessimistic, stable and non risk-taking, introverted life-style.

On the second book: the problems start to occur about their relationship as I guessed. Marnie wants to have children and marriage as Patrick is so reluctant to be father, fighting with the demons of her past, guilt feelings, missing of her dead girlfriend. And then an eight years old, loud, ball of energy, hyper active little girl named Fritzie appear at their apartment door. Surprise: Patrick rejects to be a father but he already has a daughter from one night stand and he has to leave his safe place, getting rid of guilt feelings and taking some responsibilities for her child’s own good.

But he really messed so big this time: His insecurities and his fear not to be good enough for Marnie and secret he keeps from her damages their relationship. As Marnie goes to Florida to take care of her sick father, Patrick stays alone with his child and finds out he can be a good father and enjoy the parenthood.

So many things in this story were meaningful, emotional: living your past behind, learning from mistakes, opening your heart to love, parenthood, family bounding, magical power of sharing your compassion.

The only part irritated me was Patrick’s stubbornness and rejection of happiness. I wanted to scream at him to get his head out of his ass and start groveling to make Marnie forgive her! But till the last parts: he acted so unfair and broke her heart. It was logical, he needed time to face his past demons and redemption and I enjoyed his bounding with his child but at some parts I feel sad for Marnie who was truly hurting because of his obnoxious behavior.

So I’m cutting one star out and giving my 4 stars! This is a great feel-good fiction, romance, family drama and heart melting, poignant, lovable story! I have to emphasize I liked the sequel so much more than the first book. I’m looking forward to read upcoming books of the author. ...more

flag 61 likes · Like · see review

Jul 23, 2020 Jennifer ~ TarHeelReader rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I have not read this book’s predecessor, Matchmaking for Beginners, but that did not decrease my enjoyment in any way. A Happy Catastrophe is a heartwarming, hopeful story I enjoyed very much.

Marnie and Patrick are hopelessly in love, even though they are opposites in many ways. One of the most polarizing issues is that Marnie is ready to tie the knot, while Patrick is still living in his past.

Then a “surprise” happens, which gives Marnie and Patrick an instant family, but Patrick hasn’t signed ...more

flag 43 likes · Like · see review

Jun 22, 2020 Mary Jackson _TheMaryReader rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2020

I did not read the first book in this sweet series. But I would say this can be read as a stand alone. I will go back and read the first book now. I really hope that everyone reads this series.
You are going to be pleasantly surprised by this one.
I gave this book 4 stars.
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.

flag 17 likes · Like · see review

Feb 26, 2020 Camille Pagán rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

If you enjoyed Matchmaking for Beginners as much as I did, prepare to be spellbound by A Happy Catastrophe—in which Marnie and the people closest to her discover that magic isn’t getting what you want, but rather in loving what life surprises you with. Maddie Dawson is at the top of her game in this charming and unputdownable novel.

flag 13 likes · Like · see review

May 16, 2020 S.J. Lomas rated it liked it · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I loved the writing in this book, but not the story.
I loved Matchmaking for Beginners and thought it was a very special book. I was really looking forward to how Marnie and Patrick would progress in their relationship.
Unfortunately, I stopped liking Marnie very early on in this book. She tells Patrick she “needs” to have a baby with him as soon as possible. She needs a baby to be happy. He tells her in no uncertain terms that he can’t handle fatherhood. He just can’t do it. We know that Patric I loved the writing in this book, but not the story.
I loved Matchmaking for Beginners and thought it was a very special book. I was really looking forward to how Marnie and Patrick would progress in their relationship.
Unfortunately, I stopped liking Marnie very early on in this book. She tells Patrick she “needs” to have a baby with him as soon as possible. She needs a baby to be happy. He tells her in no uncertain terms that he can’t handle fatherhood. He just can’t do it. We know that Patrick has been through a tragedy that literally left him disfigured and killed a woman he loved. He has deep emotional and physical baggage. When he says he can’t handle fatherhood, that seems like a serious issue to talk through. Instead of soul searching and having deep conversation on the topic, just a day after that conversation, she’s texting him all day long about how many babies she’s seeing and how much she just loves them. It made it feel like a game she was playing. That was my first turn off with Marnie.
Next, there’s the shock of a lifetime when Tessa and her 8 year old daughter, Fritzie, show up on Patrick and Marnie’s doorstep. Surprise! Fritzie is the product of a two night stand Patrick and Tessa had. Marnie isn’t even a little troubled that her boyfriend has a secret child. She welcomes the overly-boisterous child with wide-open arms.
And then Patrick begins to withdraw into seriously black depression. He’s preparing for a comeback art exhibition, only the art is a bleak exploration of the fire he survived and his guilt and pain over his former girlfriend’s death in that fire. He’s consumed by complete, dangerous darkness. He hallucinates that the dead girlfriend is screaming in his head all the time and she’s talking to him, demanding 100% of his attention. He doesn’t tell Marnie about it, but she kind of notices that he’s completely withdrawing from life. But she doesn’t spend any time thinking about him. She’s got Fritzie to mother and wayward teens who hang out at her florist shop.
Next, she promises this husk of Patrick that she won’t go crazy with Thanksgiving this year. She’ll keep it quiet, for his sake, with just the three of them. He thanks her for that because, as we’ve seen, he’s deeply depressed and can’t face being around people. But, of course, by the next page, oops, Marnie allows a bunch of strangers to come for Thanksgiving. It’s ok though, because those people needed a place to be and Patrick can just deal with it. In his own home. While he’s battling a severe mental breakdown.
At that point, I didn’t want Marnie and Patrick to be together anymore. Her character is meant to be Blix reborn, caring and loving every broken soul visible, but when Patrick really needed some intervention, Marnie preferred to ignore it, waiting for Patrick to snap out of it on his own and, above all, to realize how much they loved each other, because that should fix him.
I couldn’t buy into that. I also couldn’t buy into the position that it was all Patrick’s fault. He needed help. Real help. Like therapy and possibly medication.
At the risk of sounding like a grinch, I wasn’t won over by Fritzie either. I didn’t like the name, which didn’t help, but she came off as loud and annoying rather than the plucky survivor she was supposed to be. That child needed therapy too. Abandoned by the only parent she’d known to live with two strangers? And her only way of “acting out” was to steal money to give to a homeless child in her classroom? Brassy orphan with a heart of gold.
I was initially willing to suspend my disbelief with the whole Fritzie situation, but with the further problem of Patrick’s mental breakdown, (and a few other people’s problems along the way) I just couldn’t love this story or its characters...even though the actual writing is excellent. ...more

flag 9 likes · Like · see review

Jun 28, 2020 Susan Z rated it it was amazing

From the first chapter I fell in love with Marnie. She is this quirky flower shop owner and matchmaker. It seems she can see people's aura, which appear as sparkles, and uses that for matching, even at the most random times. This alone brings a huge smile to my face. Marnie wants to have a baby but her boyfriend Patrick doesn't see things quite the same way.

Then chapter 2 starts and you get a glimpse into Patrick's character. He's a quirky introvert with a troubled past. Despite him being quite ...more

flag 8 likes · Like · see review

May 26, 2020 Nursebookie rated it it was amazing

I love a quirky and heart warming story about how families take shape. This one took Marnie and Patrick for one heck of a surprise. Nothing is perfect no matter the countless hours of planning or dreaming of the perfect and ideal family. I found myself once again connected and journeyed with the characters throughout the story.

This was an enjoyable read that was endearing and quite satisfying. I recommend this for a magical read full of hope and love.

flag 8 likes · Like · see review

May 24, 2020 Eleni Flores rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2020

2.5 stars

I really enjoyed Matchmaking for Beginners when I read it a couple years ago - it was full of charm and lively characters and a really sweet, fun read. I was hoping for the same in the sequel, but I'm sad to say it did not live up to the first book.

For the first 75% I was so annoyed at Patrick, who was regressing back to problems I thought had been resolved in the first book. I had so many issues with his character this time around that it was nearly impossible to ignore. But the WORST ...more

flag 7 likes · Like · see review

Jun 02, 2020 ʚϊɞ Shelley's ʚϊɞ Book Nook rated it really liked it

❤️ Give everything you have to love. It’s the only thing that counts. ❤️
After reading the Matchmakers for Beginners and being so happy for Marnie and Patrick I couldn't wait to see how their story ends. I devoured this book. It's a quick read, and it's easy to get sucked into the characters and to care about them. I love that it shows romance and parenthood in a natural light, it is real and raw and wonderful. The book is an amusing, heartwarming tale...the prose is effortless and polished. ...more

flag 6 likes · Like · see review

May 27, 2020 Atira rated it it was ok · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I really liked Matchmaking For Beginners. It was quirky and light and I was really excited to read the sequel. Unfortunately it flatlined almost immediately and never fully recovered. No complaints with the writing but the story was hard to get through. For one the whole magic and matchmaking stuff was cute when it was coming from a quirky old woman in book 1. We could all just laugh and roll our eyes and get back to real life in the next paragraph. But in this sequel, it’s taken too far. Marnie I really liked Matchmaking For Beginners. It was quirky and light and I was really excited to read the sequel. Unfortunately it flatlined almost immediately and never fully recovered. No complaints with the writing but the story was hard to get through. For one the whole magic and matchmaking stuff was cute when it was coming from a quirky old woman in book 1. We could all just laugh and roll our eyes and get back to real life in the next paragraph. But in this sequel, it’s taken too far. Marnie goes on and on about seeing sparkles around people and sticking eucalyptus into her bra. Everyone keeps asking her for magic spells and treating her like the neighborhood witch. It was just too ridiculous for Contemporary fiction.

Then there’s Marnie. Who I liked in book 1 but grew to despise almost immediately here. Patrick doesn’t like painting much but she’s pressured him into that. She’s pressured him into entering an art exhibit. She wants a baby but Patrick very respectfully explained why he wasn’t mentally/emotionally stable enough for a child. He very clearly told her he did not want a baby. But rather than respect that or have a conversation about it, she just flat out ignored him and proceeded to, you guessed it... pressure him into agreeing to give her a baby. This is shortly after she took it upon herself to invite his surprise 8 year old to live with them without once (even for a second) discussing it with him first. She then pressured him into dealing with all her stray friends and family on top of everything else when he asked her nicely not to. She sees he’s spiraling but doesn’t care. Or at least not enough to react. So now we have an emotionally fragile Patrick trying to prepare for an art exhibit, deal with the emotional baggage from his tragic past, please his self absorbed girlfriend, care for his annoying surprise kid, and entertain Marnie’s strays.... and of course, it slowly sends him deeper and deeper into depression until he’s so far gone he needs genuine professional help. But rather than self reflection or getting him help or having a conversation or any of 100 healthy approaches to tackling depression, Marnie just ignore it and tries to make him have sex with her so she can get pregnant with a child he blatantly does not want (or need).

Skim
Skim
Skim

In the end everything wraps up too perfectly. Marnie gets the baby she wanted. Patrick gets over his depression with (pet peeve) NO PROFESSIONAL HELP whatsoever. (Eye roll)

Blah
blah
blah.

No real adult conversations took place in the entire story. At least not where they were needed. Which made it impossible for me to connect with any of the characters. And that took the light out of the story for me. It was all too superficial. And considering serious issues like depression and parenting were highlighted, I expected better solutions than “magic” and “love”. Which... nothing against love obviously.... I love Love. but it doesn’t cure mental illness. Sorry to break it to you.
But it doesn’t.
Nope.

1.5 stars. However. I still recommend Book 1. It you haven’t read it you should. But stop there. No need to continue to this one. ...more

flag 6 likes · Like · see review

May 29, 2020 Mary rated it it was amazing

I love when I read a book and I feel as if I am catching up with some old friends. We loved Marnie and Patrick when we first met them in Matchmaking for Beginners. It has been a while now and they have settled into their life together, happily it seems, and then Marnie broaches having a baby. Patrick has so many demons he still has to deal with and this one throws him for a loop. We also get thrown for a huge loop when a little girl named Fritzie shows up. She is Patrick's daughter from a couple ...more

flag 6 likes · Like · see review

May 22, 2020 Rachel McMillan added it

I ADORED Matchmaking for Beginners and made everyone read it. Dawson's voice is so warm and inviting that you feel like you're scraping a chair up to a lovingly worn table for a cup of tea and biscuits. I love it and the world and the characters so HOW DELIGHTED WAS I when I learned we got more from the Matchmaking world. Featuring one of the most resplendent openings I have read in an age and peeling back the curtain to the intersection of hope, loss and love, this has a lot of my go-to-favouri ...more

flag 6 likes · Like · see review

May 24, 2020 Jocelyne rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: netgalley

I was so happy that Marnie’s story was not over when I saw this book pop up on my radar! I loved Matchmaking for Beginners and although I thought it was better than the sequel, I still really enjoyed A Happy Catastrophe. It was just as quirky and full of drama! I definitely recommend picking it up if you enjoyed Matchmaking for Beginners!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a free advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

flag 4 likes · Like · see review

Mar 23, 2020 Cortney Walton rated it really liked it · review of another edition

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for my copy.

I absolutely loved this book! I was so excited to see there was a sequel on Netgalley. I loved Matchmaking for Beginners. It was a book I found with Amazon First Reads. I loved it so much I bought an actual copy of it when it was released. I’ll be doing the same with this one as well.

This book continues Marnie and Patrick’s story. Marnie is ready to get married and have babies while Patrick is still living in his dark past.

Their p ...more

flag 4 likes · Like · see review

Nov 26, 2019 Kerry Anne King rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: women-s-fiction

A triumphant tale about the redemptive magic of love—and the way life sometimes drags us through the muck before giving us what we never knew we wanted. Marnie is one of the most delightful heroines in contemporary fiction and you won’t want to miss her!

Moment of truth. When I saw that Dawson had written a follow up book to Matchmaking for Beginners, I was skeptical. How can you follow up a perfect book? Where is there to go? But if anything, this book is stronger than the first and I think I m ...more

flag 4 likes · Like · see review

May 25, 2020 Caroline Kerdouci rated it really liked it · review of another edition

If you feel like you’re missing some sparkle, joie de vivre and a little bit of craziness in your life then I recommend you drop into Marnie’s world. Owner of Best Buds florist shop in Brooklyn, Marnie is a witchy matchmaker who see sparkles above people wherever she goes, believes in the magic power of the universe and occasionally uses spells to fulfill her dreams. Oh, and don’t forget her toaster which is inhabited by the spirit of Blix (the woman responsible for bringing Marnie and Patrick t If you feel like you’re missing some sparkle, joie de vivre and a little bit of craziness in your life then I recommend you drop into Marnie’s world. Owner of Best Buds florist shop in Brooklyn, Marnie is a witchy matchmaker who see sparkles above people wherever she goes, believes in the magic power of the universe and occasionally uses spells to fulfill her dreams. Oh, and don’t forget her toaster which is inhabited by the spirit of Blix (the woman responsible for bringing Marnie and Patrick together) and offers inspiration and words of wisdom at every given opportunity. This sounds like the most bizzare scenario for a romantic tale but despite initial reservations it’s impossible not to get swept away in all the madness and I absolutely loved it.
Marnie is the most spontaneous, irrepressible, positive and eccentric character you could imagine with a hopelessly romantic heart. With some initial eye rolling at her ridiculously naive nature I felt like I’d been plucked from a black and white world into an alternative technicolour universe, with no idea
of the rules but happy to see where the ride would take me. Welcome to Planet Marnie!! Living with long term partner Patrick she spreads joy wherever she goes, happy to surround herself with the lovely customers who frequent The Frippery which adjoins her shop and acts as a haven for all those seeking a bit of Marnie magic. But there is one thing missing. A baby. At thirty something Marnie is feeling the burning desire to procreate but can she convince Patrick to commit to such a life changing decision when he is resolute in his belief that fatherhood is not for him??
After the first few pages I thought Marnie was going to be this annoying, irritating,far fetched character living in la la land but her love for life is infectious. In her eyes there’s nothing that can’t be sorted with a bit of sparkle, a wave of an imaginary fairy wand and a side helping of inspiration from toaster Blix. Except perhaps a baby. What first appears to be an extremely lighthearted frivolous storyline turns into a charming, emotionally charged novel when the planets align, Mercury is in retrograde and eight year old Fritzie enters their lives. Unbeknownst to Patrick, he is her bio-daddy and Tessa, Fritzie’s mum is looking to dump her child with an almost stranger so she can pursue her own love interest in Italy.
What follows is a rollercoaster of events with Fritzie at the helm, complimenting Marnie’s personality with her endless bouncing energy asking a million questions per minute!! Poor Marnie and Patrick don’t stand a chance in the face of this intelligent bundle of fun who turns their lives inside out and upside down. As a character, Fritzie is the icing on the cake for me, the cherry on top that makes this novel so appealing and enjoyable. I wanted to wrap my arms around this little girl, smother her with love and never let her go. Her innocence and curiosity and straight talking made my heart melt as well as make me chuckle!!
It is Patrick who provides a hefty dose of realism to counteract all the frothiness and is a complex character suffering from survivors guilt. The appearance of Fritzie in his life disrupts the status quo and unable to deal with his feelings, Patrick gradually retreats back to his own planet which is light years away from Marnie’s. Is this the end of their love story or can the spark be reignited? I liked the contrast between these two lovers, with such differing outlooks but confirming that opposites do attract. This is a love story full of quirky characters, humour, sadness, loss and hope and of course love.
A Happy Catastrophe is an utterly,utterly charming novel that took me by surprise with the depth of emotions it aroused in me. As I’ve already said it’s an emotionally charged novel that I think would translate well to the big screen. A delightful escapist read that will bewitch any incurable romantic. My thanks as always to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read. ...more

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

Jul 13, 2020 LianaReads blog rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I haven’t read the first book but I didn’t really felt like missing much about that one as the author has a great way with her words and got me invested in the story throughout the book.
It was a funny and heartwarming story overall, with great reliable characters and situations that I can easily see happening in real life and I enjoyed it quite a lot.

I’ll definitely read more by the author in the future.

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

Oct 18, 2020 Judy rated it really liked it

Shelves: family-dynamics, new-york-city-setting, chick-lit, mental-health, magical-realism

I enjoyed this novel of a less than traditional family with lots of interesting and loveable characters. I hadn't read the preceding novel but this one stood alone just fine. I did get a little impatient with Patrick's withdrawal from the family group at one point, but he ended up redeeming himself. I'm going to go back and read the first book too. ...more

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

Jun 30, 2020 Jackie rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

WOW!! A first by me by this amazing author and I must say it’s one of my favorite books of 2020!! This was a well written and captivating story I read in a day and hated to put down! I read as a stand-alone and I can’t wait to read book one Matchmaking for beginners!! A heartwarming story of love, loss, family and surprises that change everything! I highly recommend this book it was a fantastic feel good read!

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

May 02, 2020 dani rated it liked it

this book summoned a split personality in me. it was devastating at how heartwarming the love the characters held, but one of the main characters spent 90% of the story in a regressed matter, which i did NOT enjoy in the slightest. i loved it yet hated it at some points.
we have patrick, who, from the first moment he's introduced brings a gloomy vibe. he's been through A LOT; i am well aware, however, he cannot seem to move on from the past. moreover, we have marnie, his partner. she's a bubble o ...more

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

May 07, 2020 Lala rated it liked it · review of another edition

I enjoyed Match Making for Beginners and was looking forward to the sequel. This book was not the happily ever after that I was hoping for. This book implies that Marnie and Patrick had four great years and then plops us where the trouble begins. I had a really hard time reading about how Patrick pushed everyone away again, and how Marnie was too distracted to stop it. I feel like he treated her and Fritzie very badly, and I wanted someone to go in and shake some sense into him before he wasted ...more

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

Mar 29, 2020 Stephanie rated it really liked it · review of another edition

ARC received from netgalley in exchange for review.

For a book titled "A Happy Catastrophe," this one got...surprisingly dark. 3.5 stars, debated whether to round up or down, but ended up rounding to 4 because I liked that it took an intentional turn from the themes and the mood of "Matchmaking for Beginners." Many of the same characters, of course, but getting into new situations this time. The contrasting tones of whimsical and dark made it read somewhat uneven at times. The characters sometime ...more

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

Mar 28, 2020 Caitlin Reads rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I was a big fan of Matchmaking for Beginners and was really excited to receive this ARC. A Happy Catastrophe allows readers to see what happens “after they get together.” Patrick and Marnie were really relatable and fun characters to read about. While there was less magic in this story than MfB, there was still a touch added to remind you to believe. This book had so many laugh out loud funny moments and also moments where I had to grab my tissue box. Fritzie was hilarious and lovable. I absolut ...more

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

May 25, 2020 Shae rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Publishers Synopsis:

From the bestselling author of Matchmaking for Beginners comes a novel about love, loss, and the beautiful mess of family.

Marnie MacGraw and Patrick Delaney have been in love for a few years now, enough to realize that they are imperfectly perfect together. Still, there are some things that maybe need a little attention. Marnie’s ebullient; he’s brooding. She thrives on change; he prefers stability. She sees marriage and parenthood in their future, but he can’t see beyond the Publishers Synopsis:

From the bestselling author of Matchmaking for Beginners comes a novel about love, loss, and the beautiful mess of family.

Marnie MacGraw and Patrick Delaney have been in love for a few years now, enough to realize that they are imperfectly perfect together. Still, there are some things that maybe need a little attention. Marnie’s ebullient; he’s brooding. She thrives on change; he prefers stability. She sees marriage and parenthood in their future, but he can’t see beyond the shadow of an earlier tragedy. Then an eight-year-old surprise from Patrick’s past shows up on their doorstep, cartwheeling into their lives and spinning things in all directions. While it’s not exactly the change she envisioned, it looks like instant family to Marnie. But Patrick, afraid of being hurt again, retreats further into himself. Suddenly, two very different pieces of a beautiful puzzle find it harder and harder to fit. How can Marnie trust in the magic of the universe when it seems to be doing its best to knock her off her feet? But some love stories are worth waiting for. And what’s love without a little chaos anyway?

Review: This is now my favourite book of all time. Let me say it again. This is now (and I cannot stress this enough) my favourite book of all time. I’ve never had a favourite author before, but if that is what this little warm feeling in my heart is then I’ll take it, and a copy of ALL of Maddie Dawson’s books. Full disclosure (because I pride myself with how honest I am with these reviews) this book was in a huge pile (HUGE!) of netgalley arcs that needed to be read. Even with the publication date approaching, I was nowhere near reading this book. Then I received an email from the publisher (assumingly as did other owners of the arc) and it triggered something in me to bring this book to the top (I now know that was Blix working her magic on me).

From the first chapter I was swept up into the lives of Marnie and Patrick. I genuinely and honestly couldn’t put the book down. I made a note one day during a rare moment that I wasn’t reading this book and it says, verbatim, that I genuinely missed the characters in the book. I wasn’t even half way through yet! The cart-wheeling eight year old that comes out of nowhere and into their lives is an accurate depiction of my character as a child. I am, in all regards, the living adult version of Fritzey. Unfortunately, my quirks, mannerisms and constant chatter was suppressed, by all means, by my mother. So it was incredibly refreshing to read about how every adult in this little girls life just took her as she was and let her be. I think that might be for the most part why for me this book is such a winner. I don’t believe in crystal, or holistic healing or moon phases, or burning sage or mercury in retrograde or any of that. None of it. I don’t even belong to a religion (although I respect all religions and people that come from them) but I do like magic. So the touch of magic in this book, combined with Fritzeys energizer bunny personality, and the love story that is Marnie and Patrick just has this book ticking all of my boxes.

Initially, i was worried that I hadn’t read Dawson’s previous book “match making for beginners” and was worried this would affect my ability to love this book. Hey, it didn’t and now I want no less than seven copies of both. I could talk forever about how good this book is- one night I even skipped a meal in order to read more!- but I think you get the point. I’ve read a lot of books the last few months. No less than 20 papers and 20 arc’s. But this one beats them all. I want to carry it around with me wherever I go. I am now Maddie Dawson’s biggest fan and the #1 promoter for this novel.

My sincerest thanks to Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for a copy of this book in exchange for my review.

5/5 stars ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Aug 31, 2020 Bookoholiccafe rated it really liked it

Shelves: read-2020, women-s-fiction, fiction, humor

A Happy Catastrophe
by Maddie Dawson
my first book by this author and I really liked it. Apparently, there is a book before this one called A matchmaking for beginners, but this book can be read a standalone.
Marnie and Patrick are happily married, a perfect couple with an amazing life. But life is so full of unpredictable beauty and strange surprises and it is no different for Marnie and Patrick when a surprise lands on their doorstep. This causes the two to grow apart, as Marnie wanted children a ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Jun 03, 2020 Thelma rated it really liked it

Marnie MacGraw and Patrick Delaney's story continue with more funny and crazy situations that will have your stomach hurt after so much laughter.

Many new scenarios and characters will show in A Happy Catastrophe that will make this story more enjoyable.. if you love Matchmaking for beginners this book is for you.

Marnie is having a great life with Patrick until somethings happened that change their lives forever, making them even have tenser and without any answers feeling more confused, especial ...more

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

Aug 10, 2020 Jenna rated it liked it

This was not as charming as the first book but i did like it. I wasn't expecting a sequel to "Matchmaking for Beginners" but it was a nice twist to the usual stories that have that HEA. This way you could see that Marnie & Patrick still had work to do in their relationship as well as the evolvement/development of the characters from the first book.
Marnie is ready to move things to the next level w/having a child but Patrick is content w/the status quo.
Marnie is still the same enchanting characte ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Apr 16, 2020 Laura Rae rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an advanced reader copy of this book! It was so good to become reacquainted with Patrick and Marnie and see what magic and catastrophes would happen! I really enjoyed it!

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Jul 09, 2020 Melissa rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I enjoyed Matchmaking for Beginners and loved getting to know Marnie, but I actually preferred A Happy Catastrophe. It went deeper and covered a lot of serious topics and life changes and endeared me even more to Marnie (and the rest of the characters in her quirky world). I love Dawson’s writing and look forward to her next book.

I received an advanced copy in exchange for my review.

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

Aug 20, 2020 Nadia rated it did not like it · review of another edition

Shelves: didnt-finish

I dnf this book because I found it insufferable. I tried on numerous occasions to finish the book but the main characters were very annoying and I just couldn’t understand her selfishness. I’m aware that others enjoyed this book. It just wasn’t meant for me.

I received this ARC from Netgalley for my honest review.

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

« previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 … next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

topics	posts	views	last activity
Kindle Book Club ...: July 2020 Book Discussions, A Happy Catastrophe, Reading in Progress.	8	12	Aug 23, 2020 02:18PM
Kindle Book Club ...: July 2020, SPOILER ALERT, A Happy Catastrophe, Reading Completed	3	5	Jul 16, 2020 02:16PM

Readers also enjoyed

See similar books…

Genres

Romance

28 users

Fiction

23 users

Womens Fiction > Chick Lit

18 users

Contemporary

10 users

Audiobook

7 users

Humor

5 users

Womens Fiction

5 users

Adult Fiction

4 users

Magical Realism

3 users

Romance > Contemporary Romance

3 users

See top shelves…

About Maddie Dawson

Maddie Dawson

900 followers

I'm the author of eight novels about love, crazy families, secrets, parenthood, and--yes, they have reasonably happy endings. Kind of like life. My newest, A Happy Catastrophe, will be released on May 25, 2020. My other novels are: Matchmaking for Beginners, The Survivor's Guide to Family Happiness, The Opposite of Maybe, The Stuff That Never Happened, Kissing Games of the World and A Piece of Nor ...more

Books by Maddie Dawson

The Survivor's Guide to Family Happiness

More…

10 Romances to Try If You Love the Fake Dating Trope

Rachel Lynn Solomon is best known to her fans for writing heartfelt contemporary YA novels like 2020's Today Tonight Tomorrow and her 2018...

Trivia About A Happy Catastrophe

No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »

Quotes from A Happy Catastrophe

“She had a mantra she lent me. I pinch my fingers and say it over and over again: Whatever happens, love that.” — 1 likes

“I don’t know if you’ll be able to understand this,” she says, interrupting me, “which is why I’m going to tell you now so if you ever come up against this in your own life, maybe you’ll handle it differently. I’ve realized that none of what I was feeling was about your father, not really. Sure, I felt neglected by him, and taken for granted, and ignored a lot of the time—but I now see that what was really happening was that I was the one taking the easy way out. I was being lazy with my own life. Not taking responsibility for my own happiness.” — 0 likes

More quotes…

See a Problem?

Preview — A Happy Catastrophe by Maddie Dawson

A Happy Catastrophe

Get A Copy

Friend Reviews

Reader Q&A

Lists with This Book

Community Reviews

new topic
Discuss This Book

Readers also enjoyed

Genres

About Maddie Dawson

Books by Maddie Dawson

Related Articles

Trivia About A Happy Catastrophe

Quotes from A Happy Catastrophe

See a Problem?

Preview — A Happy Catastrophe by Maddie Dawson

A Happy Catastrophe

Get A Copy

Friend Reviews

Reader Q&A

Lists with This Book

Community Reviews

new topicDiscuss This Book

Readers also enjoyed

Genres

About Maddie Dawson

Books by Maddie Dawson

Related Articles

Trivia About A Happy Catastrophe

Quotes from A Happy Catastrophe

new topic
Discuss This Book