Happiness Key

I've ready lots of Emily Richards' books but this one is my absolute favorite. I don't agree with some of these other reviews that say the book starts slow. I loved it from the very first page. At the beginning, the characters are all vulnerable and lonely, but grow throughout the story into good neighbors and then evolve into fast friends. A thoroughly happy ending with no sex scenes, no foul language, no blood, guts or gore. I loaned it to my mother with no reservations and she loved it, too. If you love a good, clean, fulfilling story, this is the one for you. I'll read it again and again.

I wasn't sure how I would like this book, with so many different women and each with their own stories. But somehow it all comes together, and I absolutely loved this book. Like a good movie I watch over and over, this book will go on my "keeper" shelf. Then on some cold, snowy, winter day I will cuddle up with this book and once again immerse myself in this story.

Ms. Richards books are real keepers. The can be read and picked up again a year later and enjoyed again.

When rich socialite Tracy Deloche learns her con artist husband CJ has been convicted and headed for prison, she leaves her posh LA life for Florida. All she has left is an almost worthless piece of oceanfront property with dilapidated cottages that she somehow "inherited" from CJ. Tracy is determined to sell the land to a developer so she can have enough to rebuild her life and put her bad history behind her. Unfortunately a group of naturalists are out to keep the land pristine and unspoiled by development. As Tracy settles into her new life, she determines she will not socialize with her tenants who consist of elderly Herb Krause, middle-aged, sharp tongued, Wanda Gray, young foreign bride, Janya Kapur or grandmother Alice Brooks, who lost her daughter and is now being taken care of by her son-in-law, Lee Symington and young granddaughter Olivia. Tracy goes to each cottage to collect rent, hoping she can scrape together enough money for her next meal. What she finds is her tenant Wanda with an attitude problem, having set her sights that Tracy is a spoiled rich girl; Janya who is timid, but friendly, and at Alice's home, she finds herself attracted to her widower son-in-law, Lee. When she gets no response at Herb's, she is concerned, for his car is in the drive. Asking for Janya's help, they enter his cottage and find the man dead in bed. His death is the catalyst that brings the women together in a search for his next of kin. The unlikely group soon become friends and though they are different in many ways, they are vulnerable and in need of each other's friendship. Tracy commits to a part-time job at the local community center and gets Janya and Alice involved there too. One of Tracy's biggest dilemmas involves a young boy at the center, who just happens to be the son of the man trying to prevent the sale of her property, but Tracy is able to see through this boy and the problems he is dealing with, which just happen to bring her closer to her biggest foe. Then, when Alice no longer goes to the center or visits with her neighbors, the ladies ban together fearing she is in danger. This is a wonderfully warm and touching tale, proving that no matter what age, social class or ethnicity, women have a common bond and can develop lasting friendships, as well as do a great job as investigators. The characters are well defined, description give the reader a great visualization of the surroundings, and emotions are well defined. This book is one to be enjoyed again and again and is a definite keeper. A huge thumbs up!

This book explores the relationships of women. In the begining each woman has her own reservations, prejudices and impressions of the other women that live in their tiny group of homes on the sound. It is perfect in the way Emilie Richards was able to capture the true essence of how women think, including the fears that can make us seem unapproachable at times. As the women begin to let down their guard the relationships blossom into something very precious and also very needed. I found this book to be helpful in the way that I view relationships with the women who come and go in my life and to realize how important those relationships can be. This story was good, a real page turner, but I walked away with so much more. Every woman should read this to not only see herself but also other women and how misunderstood many of our actions can be. Excellent book, a must have.