I really enjoyed this book. It's about Holly Frick, a woman still reeling from her divorce, trying to get on by having an affair with a much younger man. She is shocked when her best friend, Amanda, announces that she is thinking about having an affair. What happens between Holly, Amanda, and Jack, Amanda's lover, is full of twists and surprises. Meanwhile, Holly has adopted Chester, a dog with cancer. This book sounds like pure, simple, conventional chick lit, but Dunn's writing style raises it above the rest of the genre. There are moments that are laugh out loud funny, moments that are just plain TRUE, and most importantly, moments that resonate emotionally. I read Dunn's first novel, The Big Love, several years ago, and really enjoyed it; this is another winner. She's definitely an author I'll watch out for in the future. Highly recommended; four and a half stars. ( )

I had fair warning. When I entered the contest to win a copy of this book on Beth Fish Reads, Beth said that she could not finish the book. Had I not entered Beth's contest, won it, and then received The Art of Racing in the Rain that same week, I may never have been inspired to how the first annual Dog Days of Summer week. I have no regrets, but I did not like this book.

Susan Dunn's second novel tells the story of 35-year-old Holly Frick, a seemingly typical New Yorker. She was recently divorced from her husband and she was still in love with him. Holly is the main character, but there are numerous other characters given the spotlight throughout the novel - most of whom for no better reason than to show every other selfish, depressed person in New York City can find love and happiness but her. With so many different characters, I would have thought I would have clicked with at least one of them, but did not. The closest I came was cheering Holly on at first after learning of her casual and very sexual relationship with a 22-year-old. That just wasn't enough to go on for me.

There is a dog in this book, but he is more of a decoration than a central part of the book. Holly, on the spur of the moment, adopts a dog. He has brain cancer and she takes a risk on him. This act, which is described in after the fact, humanizes Holly more than anything else. Had this story been more prominent and not bogged down by the other characters, I would have enjoyed this novel much more. I was disappointed by that because it really didn't match the adorable cover. (I know, I know, never judge a book by it's cover - and that rule goes both ways).

Secrets of Happiness did not make me happy. I had no patience for these characters who kept making the same mistakes only to wonder why their lives aren't happier and more fulfilling. I was so irritated that even the humor didn't work for me. I would not have finished it had it not been one of my Dog Days of Summer books. In defense of this novel, however, I didn't enjoy the few episodes of "Sex in the City" I have watched. I think this book might appeal more to those who did. ( )

Fun summer read

When I first started the book I didn't think that I was going to enjoy it because there are so many different characters that you have to follow, but I am glad that I stuck it through because I grew to love most of them and hate a couple of the others. However it was still a little hard to remember some of them, it would mention someone and it took a while to figure out who they were referring to.

I do love Sarah's writing style. It was very easy to relate to all of the characters, mostly because between all of them there was every type of relationship and the problems that come along with them represented. I also liked the fact that even though the relationships were kind of generic, Sarah was still able to through a lot of twists into the story that I wasn't expecting.

My absolute favorite thing about Secrets to Happiness is the fact that the main character, Holly Frick, is a novelist. This allows for many book related thoughts which leads to amazing quotes. ( )

This was OK to listen to; not sure I would have finished it if I read it. The characters were self-absorbed and shallow. It was interesting to observe the interactions but if I knew them, I don't think I would want to spend much time with them. ( )