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The Secrets of Happiness Kindle Edition

4.2 out of 5 stars 3,484 ratings

The Secrets of Happiness is an extraordinary tale of sisterhood, from Lucy Diamond author of The Beach Cafe.

The best things in life . . . can be just around the corner

Rachel and Becca aren't real sisters, or so they say. They are stepsisters, living far apart, with little in common. Rachel is the successful one: happily married with three children and a big house, plus an impressive career. Artistic Becca, meanwhile, lurches from one dead-end job to another, shares a titchy flat, and has given up on love.

The two of them have lost touch, but when Rachel doesn't come home one night, Becca is called in to help.
Once there, she quickly realizes that her stepsister's life is not so perfect after all: Rachel's handsome husband
has moved out, her children are rebelling, and her glamorous career has taken a nosedive. Worst of all,
nobody seems to have a clue where she might be.

As Becca begins to untangle Rachel's secrets, she is forced to confront some uncomfortable truths about
her own life, and the future seems uncertain.

But sometimes happiness can be found in the most unexpected places . . .

Product description

Review

A great summer read from Lucy Diamond (Hello on Summer at Shell Cottage) --Reviews

Stuffed with guilty secrets and characters you'll root for from the start, this warm and emotional summer novel about a family in crisis makes for delicious summer reading (
Sunday Express on Summer at Shell Cottage) --Reviews

Enthralling drama about family secrets (
Heat on Summer at Shell Cottage) --Reviews

From the Author

Lucy Diamond lives in Bath with her husband and their three children. She is the the author of Summer at Shell Cottage and The Year of Taking Chances, both of which have been Sunday Times Top Ten bestsellers.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B015P750SE
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Pan
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ 28 Jan. 2016
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ Main Market
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.6 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 481 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1447299103
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 18 years and up
  • Customer reviews:
    4.2 out of 5 stars 3,484 ratings

About the author

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Lucy Diamond
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Lucy Diamond grew up in Nottingham and went to university in Leeds where she studied English Literature. After graduating, she lived in Oxford, London and Brighton, working in publishing and at the BBC. She now lives in beautiful Bath where she writes full-time.

As a Sunday Times bestselling author with sixteen novels, two digital novellas and a Quick Read under her belt, Lucy writes with warmth and honesty about the joy and surprises, as well as the complications, that love, family and friendships can bring. Her seventeenth novel, Anything Could Happen, is out as an ebook this December and published in hardback January 2022.

Lucy's website is www.lucydiamond.co.uk She is on Twitter @LDiamondAuthor, has a Facebook page at www.facebook.com/LucyDiamondAuthor and is on instagram @lucydiamondwrites.

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
3,484 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book to be an easy, well-written read that's worth the price, particularly noting its reasonable hardback book pricing. They appreciate the author's skill at weaving stories, with one review highlighting the heartwarming tale of family dynamics. Customers enjoy the humor and find it a relaxing, feel-good read.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

88 customers mention ‘Readability’88 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy and entertaining to read, particularly enjoying it as a holiday read.

"Excellent book really enjoyed this story so much Lucy Diamond books is like getting together with your bestie for a cuppa and a gossip..." Read more

"...I also loved the children and their interaction n the story...." Read more

"...It was a bit predictable but an enjoyable and undemanding read. I warmed to Becca and enjoyed seeing her develop and finally get her happy ending." Read more

"...Another good Lucy Diamond read." Read more

54 customers mention ‘Story quality’51 positive3 negative

Customers enjoy the story quality of the book, describing it as a heartwarming tale of love and family drama.

"...I also loved the children and their interaction n the story...." Read more

"Heartwarming tale of two step-sisters getting to know each other better, although it took a while to get going...." Read more

"...hand on heart cannot say which would be my favourite as Lucy has delivered on story, characters and humour in every last one...." Read more

"Lucy Diamond always threads and weaves a good story and this, the tale of two sisters who have never got on coming together over a crisis, is no..." Read more

23 customers mention ‘Character development’23 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the characters in the book, with one mentioning the supporting cast of her sister.

"...Becca is an instantly likeable character, but with Rebecca it took me a while to warm to her...." Read more

"...not say which would be my favourite as Lucy has delivered on story, characters and humour in every last one...." Read more

"...I really liked the main character and the supporting cast of her sister, nieces and nephew...." Read more

"A gentle easy read story, the characters were lovely but did feel like the second half of the book was very predictable and ended up looking..." Read more

23 customers mention ‘Feel good factor’23 positive0 negative

Customers find the book relaxing and heartwarming, with one customer noting how it completely drew them in.

"...Each book leaves you with that warm, fuzzy and upbeat feeling that we all need in this day and age. Can't wait for the next book thank you." Read more

"...I enjoyed the energy in the book inspired by Becca and the manner in which her character developed as the story progressed...." Read more

"...The healing of the relationship between the step-sisters was heartwarming and the book had a very satisfying and positive ending...." Read more

"...Very easy going and quite addictive - I read it in less than a week!" Read more

22 customers mention ‘Ease of reading’22 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and well written.

"I enjoyed reading this book. It was well written and easy reading. Not too deep but not too frivolous...." Read more

"A nice easy, feel good read about sisters and family. I love Lucy Diamond's books, I not read one that I haven't enjoyed." Read more

"...A little predictable but made me laugh (and cry!) Very easy going and quite addictive - I read it in less than a week!" Read more

"A well written book about a familiar theme of regeneration and family relationships...." Read more

14 customers mention ‘Humor’14 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the humor in the book.

"...There are some funny moments as well as moments that were slightly more sombre but all done in a wonderful way...." Read more

"...my favourite as Lucy has delivered on story, characters and humour in every last one...." Read more

"...undemanding read about the trials of modern family life written with humour and sensitivity...." Read more

"I really enjoyed this book. A little predictable but made me laugh (and cry!) Very easy going and quite addictive - I read it in less than a week!" Read more

12 customers mention ‘Value for money’12 positive0 negative

Customers find the book worth the price, particularly noting that it is reasonably priced for a hardback book.

"I really enjoyed this book. A little predictable but made me laugh (and cry!) Very easy going and quite addictive - I read it in less than a week!" Read more

"Wonderful and feel good story. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend to anyone who needs a bit of cheering up." Read more

"Really enjoyed this book. Easy to get lost in it and time would fly, made by commute fly by...." Read more

"When I first started this book I wasnt sure but I continued and it was great. I liked how over time the step sisters finally became sisters...." Read more

Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 17 May 2025
    Excellent book really enjoyed this story so much
    Lucy Diamond books is like getting together with your bestie for a cuppa and a gossip
    Highly recommend to all
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 27 May 2016
    It's not often I read 'girly' books, not that I consciously avoid them, just that they're not often my go-to choice. I have to say though, I did enjoy this. It suddenly struck me about 20 pages from the end, that I felt like I had really been on some kind of journey with Becca, and to lesser extent, Rachel.

    Yes I knew what was going to happen, and perhaps in a less than gracious mood, or without such a carefully handled writing style, it might have annoyed me. However, because I was enjoying the journey, it sort of fell by the wayside.

    I did fall for Becca and her utter willingness to care for her nephew and nieces. Speaking of which, Mabel, Luke and Scarlet, were just delightful. I seemed to enjoy the hustle and bustle of convivial family life as much as Becca did.

    I can't believe this but I haven't read any of Lucy Diamond's previous ten novels, however if they are anything as heart-warmingly sweet as The Secrets of Happiness, I think I might find another few books to add to my ever-growing pile.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 August 2018
    Meet Rachel and Becca, two step-sisters who are estranged, however when life throws them a curveball they have no idea how it will all turn out. We initially meet Rachel as she makes her way somewhere but the reader has no idea what she is planning on doing. Then we get introduced to Becca Rachel's step-sister who didn't seem to have much direction in life. Becca is called by Rachel's babysitter to say the kids haven't been collected and although it is strange that Becca was called, she decides to go and collect the kids even though she hasn't seem them for years. The unfolding story is one that literally made me put down everything else I had to do to try to squeeze in as many pages as possible.

    Becca is an instantly likeable character, but with Rebecca it took me a while to warm to her. However once the story unfolds and you realise why Rebecca is the way she is, it all starts to make a little more sense. I also loved the children and their interaction n the story. There are some funny moments as well as moments that were slightly more sombre but all done in a wonderful way. There is something about Lucy Diamond's writing that manages to transport me away from day-to-day life and totally absorb me in her story. I have been a Diamond fan for some time and have yet to come across any book of hers that I haven't enjoyed. It made me realise I need to start delving into some of my older books on my kindle instead of automatically reaching for the newest. Highly recommended
    3 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 29 August 2018
    Heartwarming tale of two step-sisters getting to know each other better, although it took a while to get going. I don’t think it would’ve taken so long to find out Rachel’s identity after she had her accident but I guess that was the point of the story. It was a bit predictable but an enjoyable and undemanding read. I warmed to Becca and enjoyed seeing her develop and finally get her happy ending.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 18 May 2016
    I have yet to read one of her books and be disappointed! I have read all of them and with hand on heart cannot say which would be my favourite as Lucy has delivered on story, characters and humour in every last one. I know we have our favourite authors but there is usually one book that stands out from the rest but every one is as good as the last! Each book leaves you with that warm, fuzzy and upbeat feeling that we all need in this day and age. Can't wait for the next book thank you.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 3 November 2016
    Lucy Diamond always threads and weaves a good story and this, the tale of two sisters who have never got on coming together over a crisis, is no exception. I really liked the main character and the supporting cast of her sister, nieces and nephew. I enjoyed the energy in the book inspired by Becca and the manner in which her character developed as the story progressed. Another good Lucy Diamond read.
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 6 October 2016
    Really loved this book. A gentle , undemanding read about the trials of modern family life written with humour and sensitivity. The healing of the relationship between the step-sisters was heartwarming and the book had a very satisfying and positive ending. In these days of war and inhumanity on our TV screens it's good to read a book where love heals and wins.
    3 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 8 March 2016
    This another great book from Lucy Diamond. I have all her books and can never decide which I like best - they are all so good. Her main characters, in this case Rachel and Becca, are so believable that you really care what happens to them. And the children are wonderful - again, so true-to life. More, please, from this brilliant author!
    4 people found this helpful
    Report

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
  • Payalzdiaries
    4.0 out of 5 stars A very good feel good story!
    Reviewed in India on 16 May 2020
    The Secrets of Happiness by Lucy Diamond is an extraordinary story of sisterhood that will fill your heart with a warm gooeye feeling that will linger in your mind for days even if you have finished reading this book.
    .
    The story is about two (step)sisters who are plat opposite of each other living completely different from one another. Situations and Circumstances have always kept them estranged and hence they never had that 'bonding' sisters generally have for one another. But when one day, Rachel doesn't come home Becca is called in to help and love after her home and 3 children. Once there, Becca realises that her sister's life is not as picturesque as she thought to be! As Becca gets used to her new life of taking in charge of Rachel's household, she is forced to confront the uncomfortable truths of her own life. So, when Rachel return, both of the sisters gradually work together to find the secrets of their Happiness.
    .
    I was hoping for a feel good book and this book delivers exactly what it promises to be. Having a sister of my own, the story was relatable in so many ways. The narration was relatable and well paced. Even though predictable at times, I loved how the characters evolved and the story progressed with the plot. This book definitely left me with a feel good after taste even when I was done with the story
  • Fiona Garrett
    5.0 out of 5 stars Another Great read
    Reviewed in Australia on 18 March 2017
    This is another rich novel with real characters you can relate to. I loved the laughter and sadness equally. It has been years since i have had time to sit and read and this author has become a favourite.
  • Kris
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
    Reviewed in France on 21 May 2017
    Comme toujours, un merveilleux roman “feel good” comme les écrit si bien Lucy Diamond. Le style est fluide, la psychologie des personnages est bien étudiée. C’est tout sauf une œuvre superficielle, avec beaucoup de tendresse et aussi d’humour ce qui ne gâte rien.
    Report
  • Aniko Szabo
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great!
    Reviewed in Germany on 13 May 2017
    Ich habe das Buch sehr schnell gelesen, da ich es nur schwer ablegen konnte. Es war spannend und emotional und romantisch aber nicht kitschig, also alles super! Becca war mir von Anfang an sehr sympatisch, Rachel nicht so sehr, aber letztendlich hat sie sich auch verbessert. Ich habe sehr genossen, dass die Autorin neben der Hauptgeschichte auch kleinere Nebengeschichten reingeschrieben hat, wie zB das Problem der Kinder in der Schule, das Zusammenfinden des älteren Paares, die Schmuckkreationen... Alles toll geschrieben und aufgebaut und zum Happy End geführt! 10 von 10 Punkten!!
  • IJ
    5.0 out of 5 stars 5 stars
    Reviewed in the United States on 22 September 2018
    This was a lovely book to read. I related to the characters and the life they lead. What I enjoyed most was the resilience, growth, strength, and empowerment the characters experieced.

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