Book Review: If It Makes You Happy by Julie Olivia

Pages: 512

Genre: Romance

Pub. Date: September 2, 2025

Publisher: Berkley

Source: Publisher for review

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

 

 

Goodreads says, "My new next-door neighbor seems to have everything figured out. Small town golden boy? Check. Single dad extraordinaire? Check. Hot baker forearms? I didn’t notice them, I swear.

I, on the other hand, don’t–at all–have anything figured out.

Trust me, I didn’t think taking over my mom’s dream bed and breakfast in Copper Run Vermont was going to be easy. It should be a good place to heal after my divorce. But apparently my scones belong in the garbage with my small talk skills. As pointed out by none other than Cliff.

Cliff is inescapable. He knows exactly what people need–always. His charm, the way he wears flannel, and even his pastries, make not wanting to be friends with Cliff and his daughters pretty hard.

Friends? I can make friends. That’s safe.

Except I’m leaving in three months to pass the inn off to my little sister and get the promotion in Seattle I’ve been working towards.

So ask me why I’m thinking about kissing my hot neighbor."

 

Michelle is down on her luck. At her mother's funeral, her husband announces he is leaving her. So, now she is newly divorced and has inherited her mother's bed and breakfast in Vermont. She reluctantly returns to Vermont; this is just temporary, though, as she plans to go to Seattle for her dream job in a few months. Michelle, a city girl, is a fish out of water at times in charming Copper Run, which is the quintessential small town. While there, she meets the town's most popular dad, Cliff, who also runs the town's much-loved bakery. Cliff is also a single dad, and they connect over the inn despite their vastly different personalities. As time goes on, they develop a bond, but can Michelle really fall for Cliff? She plans on leaving town soon, so this can't be something real, or can it? Julie Olivia's If It Makes You Happy is reminiscent of a 90s rom-com, complete with a cozy setting and all the fall vibes.
 
While Michelle is focused on achieving her goals in Seattle, her time at Copper Run brings about a gradual transformation within her. This part of the story highlights her journey of self-discovery and personal growth as she helps manage her mother's bed and breakfast, which is out of her comfort zone. Ultimately, this aspect of the narrative adds emotional depth to If It Makes You Happy.
 
If you enjoy a slow-burning romance, If It Makes You Happy is for you. I really enjoyed Michelle and Cliff's romance, and while it was slow at times, I think Olivia does a good job of making it feel real and not overly rushed. I appreciated the fact that Michelle and Cliff were mature, divorced, and not right out of college.  However, the 500+ pages for a romance novel are tough, and at times, I felt the pacing was off. I found myself putting the book down and not rushing to pick it up again.
 
However, if you love 90s rom-coms and are looking for a cute (with some spice!) fall romance, I'd say If It Makes You Happy is a safe bet. The seasonal details were fantastic - Halloween celebrations, fall treats, falling leaves, pumpkins, nights on porches, fall festivals, and more. It was cozy, and the town of Copper Run reminded me of Stars Hollow in the best way possible.  And who doesn't want to be transported to the 90s without social media and cell phones? Is If It Makes You Happy on your fall TBR list? Let me know in the comments below.