The Happiness Blueprint
A Novel
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4.5 • 4 Ratings
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- $12.99
Publisher Description
“Smart writing, clever plotting, and an original, finely drawn, and relatable protagonist. Charming.”
—Graeme Simsion, bestselling author of The Rosie Project
“A charming and original love story full of depth and characters you'll be rooting for.”
—Sophie Cousens, New York Times bestselling author of This Time Next Year
Klara and Alex are having trouble connecting, but at least their calendars are in sync.
Klara—who’s always thought of herself as a little different, a sneaker in a world full of kitten heels and polished boots—is feeling a disconnect these days. She has type 1 diabetes, currently works in a dead-end job, and is in desperate need of a change. When her dad falls ill, Klara begrudgingly agrees to help run his small construction company while he recovers, even though it means moving back home and pushing the boundaries of her comfort zone to the extreme.
Alex has been a shell of himself since his brother died in an accident. He’s unemployed, has bills piling up, and is distant from friends and family. His therapist is encouraging him to keep things manageable by setting up a calendar, checking off tasks each day, and looking for work to help get him back on his feet. When an ad pops up for a carpenter position at a small construction company, he jumps at the chance to take a step forward.
Klara's and Alex’s stories unfold through a series of miscommunications in this clever and witty novel from debut author Ally Zetterberg that’s about finding acceptance and even love in unexpected places.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Zetterberg's refreshing debut finds Klara Nilsson returning to Sweden from the U.K. to help run the family construction business after her father is diagnosed with stage one prostate cancer. Her first move? Immediately firing a duo of misogynistic employees. Alex Kristiansen, a skilled carpenter whose depression and panic attacks in the wake of his brother's death in a hit and run have left him unemployed, is thrilled to see the job opening. The attraction between Klara and Alex is strong, but Klara presumes that her new employee is taken, not realizing that the ring he wears is not a marriage band but a keepsake from his late brother. Once that initial miscommunication is cleared up, things proceed splendidly—until an explosive secret pulls the budding couple apart. The author sensitively shades both characters—especially Klara, who is autistic and has diabetes—creating a poignant and unconventional romance. Zetterberg is an exciting new voice in the genre.
