Happiness for Beginners

A Novel

By: Katherine Center

Narrated by: Marguerite Gavin

Length: 9 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's summary

As seen on Netflix—from the New York Times bestselling author of The Bodyguard and Hello Stranger

Helen Carpenter can’t quite seem to bounce back. Newly divorced at thirty-two, her life has fallen apart beyond her ability to put it together again. So when her annoying younger brother, Duncan, convinces her to sign up for a hardcore wilderness survival course in the backwoods of Wyoming—she hopes it’ll be exactly what she needs.

Instead, it’s a disaster. It’s nothing like she wants, or expects, or anticipates. She doesn’t anticipate the surprise summer blizzard, for example—or the blisters, or the rutting elk, or the mean pack of sorority girls. And she especially doesn’t anticipate that her annoying brother’s even-more-annoying best friend, Jake, will show up for the exact same course—and distract her, derail her, and . . . kiss her.

But it turns out sometimes disaster can teach you exactly the things you need to learn. Like how to keep going, even when you think you can’t. How being scared can make you brave. And how sometimes getting really, really lost is your only hope of getting found.

Happiness for Beginners is Katherine Center at her most heart-warming, captivating best—a nourishing, thrilling, up-all-night listen about how to get back up. It’s a story that looks at how our struggles lead us to our strengths. How love is always worth it. And how the more good things we look for, the more we find.

©2015 Katherine Center (P)2023 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

“Center has written a wonderful story, a fast-paced read with sharp, perfectly written dialogue. Her newest does exactly what we want a good novel to do, introduce us to characters who engage us and take us on a journey.”—Booklist

“If you're anything like us, you'll read this book in one sitting.”—InStyle

“Katherine Center has a true gift for creating a story arc that includes personal evolution, romance, challenges, disappointments, and joy in a way that avoids cliché and creates enough ebbing tension and resolution that the reader is left hungering for more.”—Boston Mamas

Really sweet story

If you need some good vibes, this is the story for you. You should check out the movie version on Netflix too.

The Movie doesn’t do justice

If you think the book is better than the movie, you are correct. Although, to be honest the movie is also good. They take a few things from the book and a lot they leave out but both are worth your time

books always better than movie

I really loved it and will probably listen to it again and again. I'm trying to say my 3 happy things everyday.
At first I wasn't sure I'd like the narration style but it immediately grows on you and the changes in voice for different characters is really well done.

Cute East quick read

Darling; easy quick read. Little bit of adventure, and comedic relief. Good story line with actually good advice. Would recommend

Definitely worth reading if you liked the movie

I first saw the movie based on this book on Netflix. I enjoyed it, but the book gives a little more background and motivation to the characters which I liked. I enjoyed the narration as well. Expect I will listen to this more than once!

Funny, sweet, and way better than the movie

I listened to this book before watching the Netflix movie and I’m so glad I did. The book was, way better. The writing and narration were excellent and I loved the character development, the characters were complex and colorful. And I laughed out loud so many times. Can’t wait to read more from this author!

Cute and easy listen

This book was a breeze to listen to. The performer did an excellent job. The book was cute, fun, and lighthearted.

Great story!

Loved the story, kept my attention. I couldn’t put it down! I saw movie first, book is so much better!

too cute

watched the movie first but the book is usually better. this book was so cute. reminds me of my husband annoying me into loving him.

The book is better than the movie!

I’m glad I dived into this book. There is so much more to read about. Katherine Center makes the protagonist, Helen come out of her shell.