A Happy Catastrophe

A Novel

By: Maddie Dawson

Narrated by: Amy McFadden

Length: 11 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's summary

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?

©2020 Maddie Dawson. (P)2020 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“Dawson has created a truly quirky story, filled with a little bit of magic (think unicorn glitter and sparkles) and a lot of love.... An optimistic, feel-good story that celebrates love, community, goodness, and the creation of family, however it might appear.” (Kirkus Reviews)

“Alive with action, compelling and evolving characters, and screwball comedy, Dawson’s latest will appeal to readers looking for a story that is both pleasurable and substantial. Personal growth is achieved by overcoming obstacles, and the ending is honest and satisfying.” (Booklist)

Fantastic!

This is a great story with a happy ending. Yes, read it!! You'll love it. 💗

So very fun

It has been awhile since I've smiled through an entire book. Dawson's witty dialogue was delivered delighfully by McFadden. Highly recommend.

So fun.

This was just a fun light read the second in the sequel. I read the first one and listened to this one and laughed throughout both.

Highly recommend

I loved this book just as much as the first one! I love tue narrator and the story is great. Highly recommend!

very good ending

I loved it. there were times I thought I was going to cry because it had some moments.

A good sequel...stay with it - you'll be glad!

I was so excited when I saw there was a sequel to Matchmaking for Beginners that I purchased it immediately! The story was good, but there were times when Marnie was so self-absorbed that I was yelling at her! Stay with it tho - you will be glad you did!:)

No struggle to big for love

Loved it!
There was no way to know that each chapter brought new struggles and joy to the characters, just like life.

A fun and fulfilling read!

The story was moving and narrator was absolutely perfect for the story! Didn't want it to end.

fun and sweet

Anything written by Maddie Dawson and performed by Amy Mcfadden is ALWAYS great.. This one did not disappoint. Funny and sweet. I loved it.

Brilliant!

I love the way I felt while listening to this audiobook. I felt calm. At peace. I felt transported into the story. I experienced it. I loved the story and I loved the way it was read as well. It was the perfect combination. I felt each character. No character seemed like a minor character.

I recommend this book to anyone who wants to experience these feelings and hear a great story.

I listened while doing the dishes, whenever I needed soothing in the mix of a homeschooling experience or just during me-time.

I gave this book a 5 star rating overall, for performance and for the story. I did this because I felt it warranted it.

I don’t read books to transport me into stories as much as I used to many years ago when I felt I needed an escape from my reality. Probably because I’m living in my joy more now, but I do read the books from this author the moment they arrive, and I’m grateful for the experience every time. These escapes for me are enjoyable. They provide variety. They also teach in a beautiful and creative way. I admire that. Some lines made me stop and laugh. Sometimes the story soothed when the brief need arose. Now that I’m finished reading this book I find myself looking to see if I missed reading any of her books, but I think I did that last time and read them all so I very much look forward to the next one. I’ll take them as fast as you can deliver them. I think it’s 1 a year now, but I’ll take 1 every 6 months or 1 every 3 months if you wish. With the same high quality of course. So take your time. I’ll wait. Or ignore me and stick to 1 a year if you feel it will dilute the quality. I’m ready to preorder the next one on your schedule. Thank you. I sincerely appreciate your craft every time. I hope you enjoy doing it as much as I enjoy reading it. Stick with what works to produce such beautifully unique pieces of artwork. Even though I want more, I’d prefer less than risk diluting your quality. Thanks again.