Enter
INTERVIEWS & REVIEWS
  • Home
    • About >
      • Mission Statement
      • FAQ'S
      • Review Us!
    • Contact
  • Interviews
    • Interview Requests
  • Reviews
    • Book Submissions
  • Team Members Only
    • Biblical Fiction
    • Bible Study/Devotional
    • Children's Books
    • Contemporary Fiction
    • Fantasy/Sci-Fi
    • Mystery/Suspense
    • June Nominations
  • Book of the Month
    • January Nominations
    • February Nominations
    • March Nominations
    • April Nominations
    • May Nominations
  • Our Reviewers
    • Marta Aldrighetti
    • Anna Bottoms >
      • Carolyn Bryant
    • Trinity Caver
    • Laura J. Davis >
      • Jeanette Durkin
    • Elizabeth Eckmeyer
    • Kristina Hall >
      • Joy Hannabass
      • Adriann Harris
      • Demetria Head
      • Raechel Helwig
      • Charity Henico
      • Mindy Houng
      • Monica Huyser
    • Heather L. Jones
    • Linda Klager
    • Beverly Laude >
      • Diana Lea
      • Tammy Lunsford
    • Rebecca Maney
    • Rick Norris
    • Trixi Oberembt
    • Lori Parrish >
      • Deanne Patterson
    • Kimberlee Sams >
      • Connie Porter Saunders
      • Paula Shreckhise
      • Katie Slocum
      • Amy Smelser
      • Katelyn Sponaugle
      • Emily Stephens
    • Laura Thomas >
      • Winnie Thomas
    • Billi Varela >
      • Diana Varela
      • Elisha Varela
      • Juanita Varela
    • Ewurabena Wilson >
      • Conny Withay
      • Cheryl Wood
  • 2024 Book of the Year Winner
    • 2024 Book of the Year Finalists
  • 2023 Book of the Year
    • 2023 Book of the Year Finalists
  • 2022 Book of the Year
    • 2022 Book of the Year Finalists
  • 2021 Book of the Year
    • 2020 Book of the Year >
      • 2020 Book of the Year Finalists
    • 2021 Book of the Year Finalists
  • 2019 Book of the Year
  • 2018 Book of the Year
    • 2018 Finalists
  • For Writers
  • Home
    • About >
      • Mission Statement
      • FAQ'S
      • Review Us!
    • Contact
  • Interviews
    • Interview Requests
  • Reviews
    • Book Submissions
  • Team Members Only
    • Biblical Fiction
    • Bible Study/Devotional
    • Children's Books
    • Contemporary Fiction
    • Fantasy/Sci-Fi
    • Mystery/Suspense
    • June Nominations
  • Book of the Month
    • January Nominations
    • February Nominations
    • March Nominations
    • April Nominations
    • May Nominations
  • Our Reviewers
    • Marta Aldrighetti
    • Anna Bottoms >
      • Carolyn Bryant
    • Trinity Caver
    • Laura J. Davis >
      • Jeanette Durkin
    • Elizabeth Eckmeyer
    • Kristina Hall >
      • Joy Hannabass
      • Adriann Harris
      • Demetria Head
      • Raechel Helwig
      • Charity Henico
      • Mindy Houng
      • Monica Huyser
    • Heather L. Jones
    • Linda Klager
    • Beverly Laude >
      • Diana Lea
      • Tammy Lunsford
    • Rebecca Maney
    • Rick Norris
    • Trixi Oberembt
    • Lori Parrish >
      • Deanne Patterson
    • Kimberlee Sams >
      • Connie Porter Saunders
      • Paula Shreckhise
      • Katie Slocum
      • Amy Smelser
      • Katelyn Sponaugle
      • Emily Stephens
    • Laura Thomas >
      • Winnie Thomas
    • Billi Varela >
      • Diana Varela
      • Elisha Varela
      • Juanita Varela
    • Ewurabena Wilson >
      • Conny Withay
      • Cheryl Wood
  • 2024 Book of the Year Winner
    • 2024 Book of the Year Finalists
  • 2023 Book of the Year
    • 2023 Book of the Year Finalists
  • 2022 Book of the Year
    • 2022 Book of the Year Finalists
  • 2021 Book of the Year
    • 2020 Book of the Year >
      • 2020 Book of the Year Finalists
    • 2021 Book of the Year Finalists
  • 2019 Book of the Year
  • 2018 Book of the Year
    • 2018 Finalists
  • For Writers

Book Reviews​

4/12/2018

0 Comments

The Theory of Happily Ever After

 
Picture
Author: Kristin Billerbeck
Genre: Contemporary Romance


According to Dr. Maggie Maguire, happiness is serious--serious science, that is. But science can't always account for life's anomalies, like why her fiancé dumped her for a silk-scarf acrobat and how the breakup sent Maggie spiraling into an extended ice cream-fueled chick flick binge.

Concerned that she might never pull herself out of this nosedive, Maggie's friends book her as a speaker on a "New Year, New You" cruise in the Gulf of Mexico. Maggie wonders if she's qualified to teach others about happiness when she can't muster up any for herself. But when a handsome stranger on board insists that smart women can't ever be happy, Maggie sets out to prove him wrong. Along the way she may discover that happiness has far less to do with the head than with the heart.

Filled with unforgettable characters, snappy dialogue, and touching romance, The Theory of Happily Ever After shows that the search for happiness may be futile--because sometimes happiness is already out there searching for you.

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Reviewer: Becky Hrivnak

The Theory of Happily Ever After, written by Kristin Billerbeck, was a book I was looking forward to reading as I had heard great things about it and wanted to love it!

This story of a nerd scientist, her totally opposite friends, and her recent failed love life had to end up with an HEA since that's what it's about, right?!

I thought the setting was interesting as I've never been on a cruise. I also thought that Sam was pretty interesting. I did find myself pushing to get through the first 10 chapters. After the time invested, I continued. All I can think is that every book has an audience that absolutely love the book...and then there are some that it just doesn't click with. 

I will definitely try to read this book again at some time to see if it was just situational as to where I am in my life. I saw how many people really loved the book so there's proof that the book is enjoyed by many. 

Book provided courtesy of Baker Publishing.


Picture
Reviewer: Connie Brown

I’m not normally a big fan of chic lit romance novels but I did thoroughly enjoy this book. The fact that it has a Christian thread/message woven throughout was the draw along with the beautiful cover. Dr. Maggie K. Maguire and her friends Kathleen and Haley were delightful. I loved the whit and humor of the writing style and especially the quotes beginning each chapter. It made me think about the message. I highly recommend this book.

Book provided courtesy of Baker Publishing.



Picture
Reviewer: Jane Daly

Poor Dr. Margaret Maguire, dumped by her fiancé a few weeks before her wedding, and unable to pull herself out of her funk. She's the author of a New York Times bestseller on happiness. Unable to take her own advice, her friends trick her into a singles cruise. Unfortunately, they've also booked her to speak about her book. How can she talk about happiness when she obviously isn't happy?

What follows is a fast-paced story of romance, fun, and the unending bonds of friendship.

I had a hard time putting this book down. Maggie Maguire is quirky, super intelligent, and a mix of angst and hope. She's the best friend we'd all like to have. If you like chick-lit, you'll love this book.

Book provided courtesy of Baker Publishing.


Picture
Reviewer: Mindy Houng

"Forgetting the pain isn't the answer - feeling the love we had is."

Kristin Billerbeck spins a youthful, snarky, aching yet hopeful tale between a down-in-the dumps happiness scientist/researcher Maggie and a brooding contemplative Sam set during a singles cruise to Mexico. It is told in first person present tense from Maggie's perspective, which helps the reader really get into her brain but does lead the plot to slow down at times because Maggie is stubborn and somewhat clueless or sometimes simply doesn't get what is happening around her. Maggie and Sam both have tragic pasts and they're looking for and hoping for that "something" to help them get back to who they were before life's circumstances changed them. Maggie's life has imploded both personally and professionally and her best friends Kathleen and Haley drag her to this singles cruise to be a speaker and also to get back her groove.

At first, I had some trouble connecting with Maggie, Kathleen, and Haley. They are all in their early thirties and professionals but are quite selfish, whiny, and a bit mean. Maggie does mature through the book, though, and I did find myself empathizing with her. She's the nerdy girl who is socially awkward who just really wants to be loved for who she is, not what she can do. Her understanding of God's grace and love is a touching moment in the story.
​
The plot has plenty of comedy as well as sharply-edged dialogue.  
If you enjoy contemporary rom-com, you will certainly enjoy this newest offering from Kristin Billerbeck.

Book provided courtesy of Baker Publishing.

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    RSS Feed

    Categories

    All
    Action/Adventure
    Amish Fiction
    Anthology
    Bible Study
    Biblical Fiction
    Children
    Christian Living
    Christmas
    Church History
    Contemporary Fiction
    Contemporary Holiday Romance
    Contemporary Romance
    Cookbook
    Devotionals
    Dual Time
    Dual-Time
    Dual-time Romance
    Fantasy
    Fiction
    Gothic Historical Romance
    Historical Fiction
    Historical Holiday Romance
    Historical Mystery
    Historical Romance
    Historical WWII Fiction
    Inspirational Fiction
    Marketing
    Marriage
    Memoir
    Missions
    Mystery/Suspense
    Poetry
    Prophecy
    Regency Romance
    Romantic Suspense
    Science Fiction
    Self Help
    Self-Help
    Social Issues
    Spiritual Growth
    Spiritual Warfare
    Theology
    Thriller/Suspense
    Time Travel Romance
    Women's Issues
    Young Adult

    Archives

    June 2025
    May 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016

Services

Interviews
Reviews
Our Reviewers
For Writers
Book Submissions

Support

Contact


© COPYRIGHT 2016. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Disclaimer
FTC DISCLAIMER: All the books reviewed on this site are given to us for the express purpose of review. They are provided by publishers, publicists, authors and agents. None of our reviewers were required to write positive reviews and none of them were paid monetarily. All opinions are those of each individual reviewer. We are disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”