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Accidental Happiness
Someone once told me that groupings of objects should be displayed in threes. Three provides both tension and balance among items of varying size and heft. My sister’s accident made me an only child; my husband’s accident made me a widow. Part of me will always believe that Angel was the third, the one that left me with hope.After her husband’s unexpected death at the age of thirty-six, Gina Melrose becomes a “live-aboard” on his boat, docked at a marina in coastal South Carolina, near the home she and Ben once shared. In this temporary, borrowed existence on the water, she settles into numb survival. But Gina finds her life taking yet another dramatic turn late one night when a woman named Reese disrupts her quiet world. With Reese comes a a charming girl named Angel. After a rough start, Gina realizes that, strange as it may seem, she’s drawn to both Reese and Angel. Their sudden appearance shatters the stillness–and Gina is remade. She is fascinated by Reese, who seems both invincible and vulnerable–and whose past may hold the key to Gina’s future. Gina begins to realize that for the first time since Ben’s death, she’s getting her senses back. As both pain and joy reenter her world, Gina discovers that she is able to accept feeling in order to live fully once more. But the biggest surprise for Gina is her relationship with Angel. After the painful loss of her sister during childhood, Gina had decided that she would never have children of her own. Struggling through conflicted emotions, Gina’s finds her life unexpectedly transformed by the precocious little girl who may be Ben’s daughter. This tender, poignant novel movingly explores the bonds of family and the resilience of hope. In the accomplished tradition of the novels of Elizabeth Berg and Anita Shreve, Jean Reynolds Page’s Accidental Happiness is a lyrical, enthralling drama unafraid to examine complex relationships with a clear eye and an honest heart.From the Hardcover edition.
326 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 11, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
March 1, 2012
Gina Melrose is still recovering from the shocking death of her husband, Ben, when Ben's first wife, Reese, and her daughter, Angel, make an unexpected appearance in her life. Angel may or may not be Ben's daughter, and Gina - who has never wanted children, due to her lingering ambivalence and guilt over her dead younger sister, Elise - has to work though her feelings about that possibility. Reese arrives in fairly desperate straits, and with other secrets in addition to her daughter's paternity. The two women, with little to connect them other than Ben, are forced by circumstances to negotiate some common ground, while Gina also works on finding her way through the grief of losing her husband and toward the next stage of her life.
I don't think I could have read this book a couple of years ago, and had it not been J's Book Club pick, I'm not sure I would have read it now. Books concerning the aftermath of young widowhood seem to resonate strangely for me - the emotions that the characters experience don't sound, or feel, much different than my own post-divorce, and it wouldn't have helped my own long-drawn-out recovery to be thrust back into that - so if a story does that to me, it's probably getting it emotionally right.
I was someone's first wife. I'm currently someone else's second wife. One of the aspects of this book that I found intriguing was the developing relationship between Gina and Reese. When two women have had a husband in common, they know things no one else does (not necessarily all the same things, since every relationship is unique), and it does create a connection between them. And if one of the women is interacting regularly with the other's child, it's in everyone's interest to try to build on that, although it's not necessary to become best friends, or even coffee buddies. (And it can be done; there are times I think TallGuy's ex might like me better than she likes him, although I'm not sure that's saying much.)
The shift in viewpoint from Gina to Reese in alternating chapters was interesting, as was the related use of first-person narration for Gina's chapters and third-person for Reese's. (There may be a plot-related reason for the style shift also, but that didn't really occur to me until I finished reading.) The story moved along well, with secrets unveiled at various intervals. I didn't find it particularly well-written, but I wouldn't consider it "fluff" or even "chick lit" - although it revolves around female characters, it's not superficial enough and doesn't drop brand names all over the place. But the tendency of several of the characters to become tearful on a recurring basis, while understandable in context, did try my patience after awhile. It also irritated me, although for no particular reason, that the little blonde girl in the cover illustration doesn't have any resemblance to the description of Angel in the book, but that's a quibble.
One of the great things about being in a book club is that it does reading you might not otherwise select for yourself.
I don't think I could have read this book a couple of years ago, and had it not been J's Book Club pick, I'm not sure I would have read it now. Books concerning the aftermath of young widowhood seem to resonate strangely for me - the emotions that the characters experience don't sound, or feel, much different than my own post-divorce, and it wouldn't have helped my own long-drawn-out recovery to be thrust back into that - so if a story does that to me, it's probably getting it emotionally right.
I was someone's first wife. I'm currently someone else's second wife. One of the aspects of this book that I found intriguing was the developing relationship between Gina and Reese. When two women have had a husband in common, they know things no one else does (not necessarily all the same things, since every relationship is unique), and it does create a connection between them. And if one of the women is interacting regularly with the other's child, it's in everyone's interest to try to build on that, although it's not necessary to become best friends, or even coffee buddies. (And it can be done; there are times I think TallGuy's ex might like me better than she likes him, although I'm not sure that's saying much.)
The shift in viewpoint from Gina to Reese in alternating chapters was interesting, as was the related use of first-person narration for Gina's chapters and third-person for Reese's. (There may be a plot-related reason for the style shift also, but that didn't really occur to me until I finished reading.) The story moved along well, with secrets unveiled at various intervals. I didn't find it particularly well-written, but I wouldn't consider it "fluff" or even "chick lit" - although it revolves around female characters, it's not superficial enough and doesn't drop brand names all over the place. But the tendency of several of the characters to become tearful on a recurring basis, while understandable in context, did try my patience after awhile. It also irritated me, although for no particular reason, that the little blonde girl in the cover illustration doesn't have any resemblance to the description of Angel in the book, but that's a quibble.
One of the great things about being in a book club is that it does reading you might not otherwise select for yourself.
June 30, 2008
I actually only got to around Chapter 10 before I gave up on the book. I liked the plot and I was interested in finding the answers to all the questions the characters had, but I couldn't stand the language. I lost track of how many times the F word was used -- not to mention all the other poor langauage -- and I found it completely unnecessary. The story would have been great without it. If poor language bothers you, unfortuntately I would recommend that you not bother with this particular book. I really want to know how it ends, but not badly enough to subject myself to the language.
February 8, 2009
Interesting story - I did have a little trouble with the excessive and unnecessary profanity.
March 26, 2024
Gina is Ben's wife. Reese is his ex-wife, and there was never any reason for them to meet, until Ben was killed in an accident and Reese didn't know. She came looking for him with a daughter in tow -- a daughter who could possibly be Ben's daughter as well. Gina never wanted kids, and now she's faced with the possibility that Ben knew about Angel, had accepted her as his and had tried to get Gina to do the same before he died.
Reese comes with other secrets too, and by the time those secrets come out, no one's life remains the same. Will they ever know whether Angel was Ben's child or not? Does it even matter, in the long run? And if Angel is Ben's daughter, where does that leave Gina, the only one not blood-related? Decisions have to be made, fears have to be faced, and when it's all said and done, no one remains who they were before.
This was a good book, full of surprise twists and turns. I spent most of the book sure Reese was as unlikable as they come, but not even my opinions remained unchanged by the time the story was over.
Reese comes with other secrets too, and by the time those secrets come out, no one's life remains the same. Will they ever know whether Angel was Ben's child or not? Does it even matter, in the long run? And if Angel is Ben's daughter, where does that leave Gina, the only one not blood-related? Decisions have to be made, fears have to be faced, and when it's all said and done, no one remains who they were before.
This was a good book, full of surprise twists and turns. I spent most of the book sure Reese was as unlikable as they come, but not even my opinions remained unchanged by the time the story was over.
January 12, 2024
When I finished this book I told my husband if I'd written it, I'd be extremely proud of it. I also wondered why it wasn't a best seller. I read these earlier reviews and wondered ... 'what???' I felt the characters and their language was very real, the writing was superb - I could feel the humidity of the low country, the animosity between the women, and was fully 'there' on the marina. On top of that the plot twists were extremely satisfying. Maybe one guy was a bit too perfect but not over the top and Page did tweak his behaviour enough to make him less perfect, more real. She writes an incredibly convincing and loveable wounded child. Not sugar coated and so real I wanted to adopt her. The tension written into the suspenseful scenes is top notch. I did wish Georgie got more walks! I'm going to find more books by this author and recommend her to friends.
October 12, 2020
Family is not always related. Grief does not always follow a straight line. And life can sometimes bring happy accidents. When Gina's husband dies at 36, she is left living in a shrouded world. The late night arrival of Ben's ex-wife and a child that may or may not be Ben's rips her from her numbness. As she opens herself to these two, she confronts painful memories of her childhood, her marriage, and her relationships in her new normal. Reese has to learn to forgive herself and become the mother she knows her daughter deserves. And Angel has to learn to navigate the complex world of grownups and the baggage that they carry. With tenderness and intensity, the book peels back layers of grief, the unconventional family, and bonds of trust.
May 22, 2017
Grieving the loss of her husband who died in an accident Gina Melrose finds unexpected events bring people into her life that bring her "accidental happiness". As the author states it is"strange how terrible things can sometimes open doors as well as close them". Family can be sometimes be made up up the people you least expect. Out of the deepest sadness, hope emerges and begins to heal.
September 24, 2013
An entertaining book, but not super deep. The part of the plot I liked is probing into how the widowed woman decides to treat her dead husband's ex-wife. I wonder if all of us would be that generous or compassionate with an ex-wife in trouble.
I do love how the main character also must grapple with her feelings about having children. In the past, she had decided not to have any children, but now must re-think her choices.
The part of the book I didn't like was the new romance for the recent widow. That was far too convenient. It would have been a better story if the new widow didn't quickly get involved in a new relationship, and instead had to deal with things on her own.
I didn't see the plot twist at the end coming, so it's worth it to hang in there until the end.
I do love how the main character also must grapple with her feelings about having children. In the past, she had decided not to have any children, but now must re-think her choices.
The part of the book I didn't like was the new romance for the recent widow. That was far too convenient. It would have been a better story if the new widow didn't quickly get involved in a new relationship, and instead had to deal with things on her own.
I didn't see the plot twist at the end coming, so it's worth it to hang in there until the end.
December 22, 2007
This is one of those people-in-weird-situation books. Gina is a 33 year old widow, too stunned by grief and living on her husband's boat. Late one night she hears someone board the boat and in a panic, fires her gun. The "intruders" turn out to be Reese, her husband's ex-wife and Angel, an Reese's 8 year old daughter. Angel takes a bullet in the shoulder and suddenly the widow's and the ex-wife's lives become entwined.
This was a very gripping book, and I didn't see coming the even weirder situation that develops at the end of the story. It was well written and had sympathetic characters all around.
This was a very gripping book, and I didn't see coming the even weirder situation that develops at the end of the story. It was well written and had sympathetic characters all around.
August 1, 2011
Gina Melrose is trying to pull her life back together after the sudden death of her husband Ben at the age of 36. She becomes a "live-aboard" on his boat in a marina in coastal SC near the home they once shared. She is just starting to come to grips with the changes in her life when things take another dramatic turn with the arrival of a woman named Reese and her daughter Angel. Gina is surprised to find out how they intersect with her life and even more surprised to find out how much she is drawn to them.
First book I've read by this author, but really enjoyed her writing style. Her novel was a quick, easy read.
First book I've read by this author, but really enjoyed her writing style. Her novel was a quick, easy read.
January 16, 2015
I was disappointed in this book. The character development was thin and inconsistent. The story was unbelievable, with medical problems invented by the author that do not exist. Certainly more research could have been done on the medical side to make the story more possible. The character of Maxine was a blip in the story, yet she was pivotal in the final chapter. Unfortunately, since the reader only gets a skeleton of an idea about her, the reader is left confused about Maxine's final action. It seemed inconsistent with the limited information the author gave us about Maxine and no explanation was given as to why she would go against her character.
February 4, 2014
This book was such a disappointment after I'd picked it up at the used bookstore based on good reviews. I don't think I made it past page 25 or so because of the horrible language. I am not a prude and I get that it's necessary to use certain words to portray characters in certain ways (education level, their anger, fear, etc.) but all three of the first adult characters we meet in this book, in my mind, are all portrayed poorly due to the constant use of one or two foul words. I'll not pick up anything by this author again.
February 15, 2009
This book was good. It has a lovable cast of characters who each have issues in their past that helps to define how they deal with life today. As I was reading, I was predicting the ending, and it was different than what I thought. I found myself thinking that none of these characters acted as a real person would, so as much as they were lovable, their actions were sort of hard to believe. If only the world was that good!
April 22, 2009
I thought the premise of this book sounded interesting: Happiness often comes not in the way one might expect or look for, but perhaps totally unexpected, as if by "accident." Other than that and the bent of the major character to go forward and believe the best in a hard situation, I cannot recommend the book; it has too many uses of bad language and sexual situations that mar the content. The characters would not have been less "developed" to have left out the expletives or specifics.
July 7, 2010
Accidental Happiness is about a woman,Gina, who just lost her husband in a sudden freak accident.
Gina is having a hard time coping when her life is suddenly interrupted by her husban's x-wife and her young child. The amazing aprt is that this unwelcome "visit" from them is just what Gina needs to start the healing process.
In the end the point of the book is that happiness can be found in unusal places/ways and that "family" isn't always family in the convential sense.
Gina is having a hard time coping when her life is suddenly interrupted by her husban's x-wife and her young child. The amazing aprt is that this unwelcome "visit" from them is just what Gina needs to start the healing process.
In the end the point of the book is that happiness can be found in unusal places/ways and that "family" isn't always family in the convential sense.
October 6, 2009
this book was just lovely
a complex, sometimes messy family dynamic
really enjoyed the author's style and the character development
It seems like the new thing in fiction is two points of view in alternating chapters. But in this case it works. Gina is in first person and Reese is in 3rd person so it doesn't feel as jumbled or confusing as it sometimes can.
a complex, sometimes messy family dynamic
really enjoyed the author's style and the character development
It seems like the new thing in fiction is two points of view in alternating chapters. But in this case it works. Gina is in first person and Reese is in 3rd person so it doesn't feel as jumbled or confusing as it sometimes can.
September 4, 2008
I like the title & the premise that happiness is often accidental, that it can't be 'found' necessarily. That sometimes, when we let life happen, fantastic things happen that we could never have imagined....if we stay open to possibilities & let go of preconceived notions. Maybe I got more out of it than some would ;o)
November 18, 2011
This would make a sappy hallmark movie but I still liked it. Gina is a young widow wallowing in her grief when her husband's flaky ex-wife shows up with an 8 year old daughter who could be her husband's child; and she finds out that her husband had been meeting the ex and the child right before his death. It's a good story.
May 22, 2012
Interesting plot twist near the end. And the romance was a little idealistic, with a too-perfect boy friend for one of the main characters. But the MS thread hit close to home for me. I like the way this author is able to weave together so many subplots. And her resolutions are feel-good and warm, with hope that left me wanting more.
February 14, 2013
This is a beautiful book where grief and joy and loss and new possibilities all mingle, a book you want to last just a little longer even though all the plot elements have at least a hinted-at resolution. I love the idea that we can make discoveries in our present that seem to change the past--at least let us shake off our resentments and fears.
August 8, 2013
More like a 2.5 stars. Reminded me of a Lifetime movie, with the exception of some of the twists. Can't say that I really liked Gina or Reese. I don't think I would have made any of the same decisions Gina made if I were in this situation, starting with whole opening scene. The writing was not bad, but there were a few scenes that probably could have been left out completely.
July 23, 2007
This story was told from two points of view. A widow of a man who had died in a tragic accident and his ex-wife. I really didn't take a liking to either woman - each was so self-involved. And the story took numerous unbelievable turns - it just rang false. The ending was just too neat, too.
January 14, 2008
"I saw this book in a book store in Port Townsend. I wrote the name down and went online (WiFi in the hotel) to my library and placed a hold. Two days after I got home it was ready for me to pick up. :-)
So far I am enjoying it and find myself wanting to listen to it (it
So far I am enjoying it and find myself wanting to listen to it (it
June 11, 2008
This is a pretty good story, I started reading it and only got a chapter in it didn't have me hooked at the time. About a month later I picked it back up and finished it. Not one of my top reads but still pretty good.
August 18, 2008
Interesting change of pace from many of today's books. It had romance, but it also had many other life experiences, which could have different consequences if any one little detail had been handled differently.
August 22, 2008
I enjoyed this book. It is about a two women who were both married to the same man at different times, but this man dies. They hate eachother at first, but then the story takes an interesting twist and I honestly couldn't put it down towards the end.
August 28, 2011
I put this book off from finishing reading it for sometime, but when I did finish it, I was pleased to find how touching the story was about mental illness with dellusion and how a happiness comes to play in the end.
October 26, 2011
ISBN: 1415917973
ISBN-13: 9781415917978
This is a story about a widow who has her husband's first wife appear at her door. The story is told from the perspective of both women as the book progresses. Gina tries to figure out why Reese has appeared, and what her agenda is.
ISBN-13: 9781415917978
This is a story about a widow who has her husband's first wife appear at her door. The story is told from the perspective of both women as the book progresses. Gina tries to figure out why Reese has appeared, and what her agenda is.
January 28, 2012
this is the good book I really enjoyed the premise of the story. I like the characters and the plot development and how you have to figure out some aspects of the story. some questionable language that the author could of left out of the story.
February 2, 2017
A man's widow and his ex-wife forge a family of sorts following some dallying with younger men and endless heart-to-heart discussions. There's a cute kid and two awesomely cool older women, too, making it all a bit more bearable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews