This morning, my son Marcus spent half an hour searching for his matching sock, only to decide mismatched socks were "cooler anyway." Sometimes we overthink things when the answer is right in front of us, just waiting to be embraced. That’s the heart of If It Makes You Happy, a story about two people who slowly realize that what they need has been beside them all along.
Plot Summary
If It Makes You Happy by Julie Olivia is a cozy small-town romance set in autumn 1997. Michelle returns to Vermont after her mother's funeral to run her family’s bed and breakfast, still reeling from her recent divorce. Next door is Cliff, a charming single-dad baker raising two daughters after his wife left to pursue her own dreams. What starts as a neighborly friendship gradually deepens into something more. Set against the backdrop of fall foliage, small-town quirks, and the nostalgia of pre-internet life, this is a slow-burn, friends-to-lovers romance about healing, second chances, and building a life rooted in community and love.
Why I Love This Book
I love how If It Makes You Happy takes its time building the relationship. Michelle and Cliff are opposites—she’s a "black cat" heroine, guarded and metropolitan; he’s a warm, small-town sweetheart. Their friendship feels genuine, and watching them help each other heal from past wounds is deeply satisfying. The setting is a character itself—cozy fall vibes, a charming Vermont town, freshly baked pastries, and the sweetness of a slower-paced era. I adored Michelle’s growing bond with Cliff’s daughters, which added emotional depth. The romance is tender, with just the right amount of yearning and pining. This is a perfect comfort read that feels like a warm hug on a crisp autumn day.
Who Will Like This Book
If you enjoy small-town romance, single-dad heroes, friends-to-lovers, or opposites-attract dynamics, you’ll love this story. It’s perfect for readers who want a slow-burn romance with emotional depth, cozy fall settings, and lower angst. Fans of Gilmore Girls vibes and 90s nostalgia will especially adore this book. It’s a heartwarming, feel-good read with open-door spice that serves the emotional arc beautifully.
⚠️ Trigger warning: divorce, strained parent-child relationships, references to past loss/grief, explicit sexual content, mild adult language.
Tagged As
small town romance, contemporary romance, single dad, friends to lovers, slow burn, opposites attract, divorcees, next door neighbors, fall setting, 1997, cozy, emotional, heartwarming, HEA, standalone
Steam Level
🌶️🌶️ Mild
The book features open-door intimate scenes, but the spice level is relatively mild and well-integrated into the slow-burn romance. The focus is on emotional connection and tenderness rather than explicit heat. Perfect for readers who enjoy romance with lower spice that still delivers satisfying intimacy.
