Review: Secrets of a Happy Marriage by Cathy Kelly

Secrets of a Happy Marriage

by Cathy Kelly

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing

Pages: 416

Format: eARC

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  Bess is happy and in love with her new husband Edward, a recent widow. However, when she plans a big celebration for Edward's birthday, this May-December romance goes into a tailspin. She quickly realizes that joining a family isn't going to be as easy as she thought. Especially when it comes to getting along with her step-daughter, Jojo who can't seem to come to terms with her fathers new marriage, all the while battling inner-demons of her own. Jojo relies on her cousin Cari a fierce career-woman who isn't unnerved by anything except for facing the man who left her at the alter--the man who Bess invited to the party.

Thanks to laughter, tears and a big surprise, the Brannigans might just discover the secrets of a happy marriage. . . But will they find out before it's too late?

Kritters Thoughts:  Bess and Edward are both on their second marriages and Edward is about to hit a milestone birthday.  Bess wants to celebrate this birthday over the top, so a party in a memorable location with the ENTIRE family is on the to do list.  I capitalize entire because this book was not just about Bess and Edward, but the entire family.  

I like a book with a big cast of characters, but this one had a few too many.  There were way too many meaty storylines going on and not a lot of secondary characters that just floated in the background.  I would have almost loved this as a small series where one or two couples are focused on each book and the other family members are in and out.  There were some notes taken while reading this book so I could remember who was who and what was what.  

I did love the family aspect of this book.  I love reading a family drama when there is interesting happenings going on with the family and if they each help each other they could almost solve all of the problems.  

I liked her writing and would read more of her books, but I would want the cast of characters to just be a bit smaller.  


Rating: enjoyable, but didn't leave me wanting more

Ebook 2018 Challenge: 87 out of 100

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from Grand Central Publishing.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.