Every now and then I get into a horrible book rut. I’ll start several books and none of them grab me. I’ve now learned that all I need to do to get out of said book rut is pick up a title by Katherine Center. I was delighted to receive an advanced reading copy of Happiness for Beginners, and like Center’s other titles, I was immediately sucked in, admittedly to the point of shooing away my kids and reading by flashlight as I devoured the closing chapters.

Releasing March 24 (but available for pre-order now, which is really, really good for authors, so go pre-order!), Happiness for Beginners shares the story of Helen Carpenter, a divorced woman who hopes to find her mojo in the wilderness and faces challenges beyond those of the nature variety. 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 cliche and creates enough ebbing tension and resolution that the reader is left hungering for more. That certainly was the case for me as I finished the final page and snapped off my flashlight. I desperately want to know what happens in Helen's next chapter!

Image credits: Amazon