Happiness for Beginners

A Novel

By: Katherine Center

Narrated by: Ellie Kemper

"Center’s many fans will be delighted, and those who enjoyed the movie will love hearing Kemper narrate the audio. An emotionally narrated novel, full of heart and hope."—Library Journal

As seen on Netflix—from the New York Times bestselling author of The Bodyguard and Hello Stranger

The audiobook is read by Ellie Kemper, who starred in the screen adaptation of Happiness for Beginners on Netflix. Kemper, also known for her standout roles in Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Bridesmaids, and The Office, gives a warm and joyful performance of this novel from the New York Times bestselling author of How to Walk Away and Things You Save in a Fire.

Helen Carpenter can’t quite seem to bounce back. Newly divorced at thirty-two, her life has fallen apart beyond her ability to put it together again. So when her annoying younger brother, Duncan, convinces her to sign up for a hardcore wilderness survival course in the backwoods of Wyoming—she hopes it’ll be exactly what she needs.

Instead, it’s a disaster. It’s nothing like she wants, or expects, or anticipates. She doesn’t anticipate the surprise summer blizzard, for example—or the blisters, or the rutting elk, or the mean pack of sorority girls. And she especially doesn’t anticipate that her annoying brother’s even-more-annoying best friend, Jake, will show up for the exact same course—and distract her, derail her, and . . . kiss her.

But it turns out sometimes disaster can teach you exactly the things you need to learn. Like how to keep going, even when you think you can’t. How being scared can make you brave. And how sometimes getting really, really lost is your only hope of getting found.

Happiness for Beginners is Katherine Center at her most heart-warming, captivating best—a nourishing, binge-worthy, up-all-night listen about how to get back up. It’s a story that looks at how our struggles lead us to our strengths. How love is always worth it. And how the more good things we look for, the more we find.

A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin's Press.

©2015 Katherine Center (P)2023 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

“Center has written a wonderful story, a fast-paced read with sharp, perfectly written dialogue. Her newest does exactly what we want a good novel to do, introduce us to characters who engage us and take us on a journey.”—Booklist

“If you're anything like us, you'll read this book in one sitting.”—InStyle

“Katherine Center has a true gift for creating a story arc that includes personal evolution, romance, challenges, disappointments, and joy in a way that avoids cliché and creates enough ebbing tension and resolution that the reader is left hungering for more.”—Boston Mamas

Loved this book

Just an easy listen - such a feel good story. Cute love story that really had me wanting more.

Touching but realistic

This book was like a warm hug. So well written and thoughtful!!! Deals with heartbreak, real life and 2 nd chances in the best way.

Better than the movie

I got this after watching the movie. I kept going back and forth on which narrator and ended getting this one on sale. I loved it. I also loved the movie. Per usual the movie leaves out a lot ... both a worth the time!

Great story about Love

I love Ellie Kemper’s narration of this book. The plot and story is truly inspiring

MY NEW FAVORITE

i’m feral rn after finishing this. i cannot simply be asked to go on after this. pls read
pls