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A year after her divorce, Helen decides it’s time to pull herself together. She decides that an intense, three-week wilderness survival course is a solid way to accomplish that goal. Not that she’s an outdoorsy person, mind you. But she’s going to become tough or at least spiritually enlightened by the journey.
Then her younger brother’s best friend informs her he’s going too. Jake is 10 years younger, 22 to Helen’s 32, and both he and her brother are annoying and immature. To have Jake intruding on her life-changing journey is an unpleasant surprise.
They end up driving together from Boston to Wyoming, and Helen is dismayed to find that he fits right in with the rest of the college-age group, while she is a boring, jaded older woman. And the course truly is a challenge. But she’s there, and she’s going to do it: blisters, 70-pound backpacks, dehydrated food, and all.
Over the course of the three weeks, Helen learns new skills and some life lessons from her fellow travelers. The one that may be the hardest, though, is how to open up to love, especially in a way she’d never expected.
Happiness for Beginners had me from the first page, with descriptions of Helen’s sad, mean little dog and her determination to make a change for herself. Jake is irresistible in his openness and sheer likability. Their chemistry is palpable, but their developing friendship is just as much a part of the story. I was charmed and look forward to reading more of Center’s books (I very much enjoyed The Bodyguard).
Rated: High. Profanity includes 9 uses of strong language, around 45 instances of moderate profanity, about 70 uses of mild language, and 20 instances of the name of Deity in vain. Sexual content includes kissing and some brief references to sex.
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