Publication Date: 24 April 2025
Stephanie Butland
Dear Ms Blythe
We are dealing with an estate of which you may be a beneficiary. Please send any documents in your possession that relate to your birth and adoption.
September is at her wits’ end. There’s never enough money to support her boyfriend and herself. September has nothing to look forward to.
Then the letter comes. September has inherited a house from a great-aunt she never knew she had. It would make sense to sell it. But when sees the place – the orange gate, the garden, the tree, the bumble-bee door knocker – she doesn’t want to let it go. Not yet. Then the members of the book club arrive, and she begins to discover the story of the family she didn’t know. And to make new friends.
September feels safe here. But money alone can’t bring contentment. September is just at the start of a journey full of surprises, shocks – and opportunities, if she’s brave enough . . .
My thoughts on this book…
The Book of Kindness is an absolute pleasure to read. It’s a gorgeous, compelling, and deeply moving novel that had me both smiling and shedding a tear or two. The emotional depth of the story really struck a chord with me.
The journey begins with September, living with her boyfriend Shaun, stuck in a seemingly hopeless situation. Then, out of nowhere, a letter arrives, bringing with it a glimmer of possibility. This letter is the spark that sets everything in motion. September discovers she had a Great-aunt Lucia, who has passed away, leaving her an inheritance that changes everything.
Having been abandoned as a baby, September never believed she’d learn anything about her birth family. She had resigned herself to the idea that she was unwanted and that there was no more to know. But this is the story of her birth family—and of Lucia, her great aunt, whose legacy will change her life. September goes to visit the house she has inherited, intending only to get a feel for it before selling it to secure a better future for herself and Shaun. But the house, and Lucia’s story, begin to pull her in.
The novel beautifully shifts between Lucia’s perspective from the past and September’s present-day experiences. I found myself completely captivated by Lucia’s character—I wish I had a Lucia in my life! Her warmth and wisdom are so endearing, and the descriptions of her home made it sound like a magical place. It even made me want to hop on a train to Harrogate (which I’ve only visited once, for tea at Bettie’s, of course!).
The book club members September encounters are a wonderfully diverse and interesting bunch, each with their own unique stories and backgrounds. They offer not only friendship but also insights into her family history, and some of the most emotional moments in the novel come from their interactions. Each character is so richly developed, and I loved how their stories unfolded.
September herself is such a relatable character. The contrast between her life before the inheritance, scraping by with loose change in her pocket, and the new opportunities that open up after Lucia’s gift felt so real. Her constant fear that it could all be taken away at any moment made her journey even more compelling.
This novel is filled with lovely surprises and little moments of possibility that kept me hooked until the very end. The Book of Kindness is simply beautiful, full of heart, and a reminder of the transformative power of compassion, family, and connection. I can’t recommend it highly enough!
The Book
- Title: The Book of Happiness
- Author: Stephanie Butland
- Publisher: Headline
- Publication Date: 24 April 2025
- Pre-Order Link: (Amazon)
- ISBN: 9781035416066
- Pages: 320
The Author
Stephanie Butland, is the author of many novels, including the much beloved bookshop tale ‘Lost For Words‘. Stephanie lives in Northumberland, close to the place where she grew up. She writes in a studio at the bottom of her garden, and loves being close to the sea. She’s thriving after cancer.
Stephanie Butland‘s website can be found at stephaniebutland.com and you can chat with her over on Instagram and X
The Publisher
Headline was founded in 1986 with a single promise at its heart: to publish the books people want to read. Sometimes, the simplest ideas are best. Read more over on their website at Headline Publishing
Headline are also on Instagram
The Review
Thank you to NetGalley, Headline and Stephanie Butland for the opportunity to read and review this novel.
I requested, and was granted, a digital arc of this novel in September 2024 and I read the book in less than 24 hours. Once I started I just didn’t want to put it down. I will be buying at least one copy of the paperback on its release in April 2025 and I cannot wait to enjoy the story all over again – and I have a friend who I know will love it too!
All views expressed are my own. This review, or parts thereof, may also be published on my social medial channels – find me everywhere as momobookdiary – and book websites (once published) such as Amazon, Goodreads, LoveReading, StoryGraph, and Waterstones. All links are correct at the time of publication.
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