Happy & You Know It

By: Laura Hankin

Narrated by: Laura Hankin

“For fans of Sex and the City and The Nanny Diaries comes this juicy story…that would make even the most meticulously Drybar-ed hair curl.” (Good Housekeeping)

As seen in The Washington Post • Good Housekeeping • theSkimm • Good Morning America • ABC News • Book of the Month • Belletrist • OK! Magazine • Betches • Newsweek • Parade • New York Post Best Book of the Week

A dark, witty pause resister about a struggling young musician who takes a job singing for a playgroup of over-privileged babies and their effortlessly cool moms, only to find herself pulled into their glamorous lives and dangerous secrets....

After her former band shot to superstardom without her, Claire reluctantly agrees to a gig as a playgroup musician for wealthy infants on New York's Park Avenue. Claire is surprised to discover that she is smitten with her new employers, a welcoming clique of wellness addicts with impossibly shiny hair, who whirl from juice cleanse to overpriced miracle vitamins to spin class with limitless energy.

There is perfect hostess Whitney, who is on the brink of social-media stardom and just needs to find a way to keep her flawless life from falling apart. Caustically funny, recent stay-at-home mom Amara, who is struggling to embrace her new identity. And old-money, veteran mom Gwen, who never misses an opportunity to dole out parenting advice. But as Claire grows closer to the stylish women who pay her bills, she uncovers secrets and betrayals that no amount of activated charcoal can fix.

Filled with humor and shocking twists, Happy and You Know It is a brilliant take on motherhood - exposing it as yet another way for society to pass judgment on women - while also exploring the baffling magnetism of curated social-media lives that are designed to make us feel unworthy. But, ultimately, this dazzling novel celebrates the unlikely bonds that form, and the power that can be unlocked, when a group of very different women is thrown together when each is at her most vulnerable.

©2020 Laura Hankin (P)2020 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"An engrossing and compelling story of the lengths women will go to convince the world - and themselves - that they're as happy and successful as society expects them to be. It's what would happen if the women from The Nanny Diaries met the women from Sex and the City in the social-media age. I devoured it in less than 48 hours." (Jill Santopolo, New York Times best-selling author of The Light We Lost and More Than Words)

“The perfect mix of frothy fun, twisty mystery and social satire, Happy and Your Know It is a guilty pleasure of a book that is impossible to put down. Laura Hankin creates complex characters with lives that, like their Instagram feeds, are never as they seem. This is the summer read for book clubs, beachgoers and playgroup moms everywhere.” (Kristy Woodson Harvey, best-selling author of Slightly South of Simple)

"A juicy look at how the other half lives, Happy and You Know It is a page-turning treat in the tradition of The Nanny Diaries and Momzillas. This story of social-climbing and dark secrets heralds a delightful new voice in women's fiction." (Jamie Brenner, best-selling author of The Forever Summer)

Story was interesting. Narrator was awful.

I really can't emphasize enough how bad the British accent is in this reading. The rest of the narration sounded like the GPS lady or AI. Not a fan of the performance as it distracted from the story. Wish I read this one instead of listening.

Loved it!

As a mom to a toddler, this story was so relatable, and spot on with new mom challenges. It was funny, sarcastic, and had you liking and identifying with each character regardless of their poor choices. I enjoyed Happy and you know it very much!

Loved it!!!!!

Absolutely wonderful book! A story of motherhood and friendship, all the characters were so individually developed that it was super easy to follow. Very reminiscent of big little lies. If cussing and sex scenes are offensive to you then you might not enjoy it as much.

Fun, light hearted read

This story of an ousted band member turned children’s entertainer and her foray into the rich, elite mommy group scene in New York was a fun listen. What starts out as an innocent job singing to the babies becomes a twisted adventure as the moms begin allowing her more and more access into their world. A fun, entertaining book. Just right for a quick read!

What a delight!

Such a fun listen! Love the different voices! Definitely helps keep everyone straight! So many dimensions to each character! Such unexpected depth!

Great story line for new and experienced moms

The narration is a little distracting, but a juicy book throughout. An exaggerated tale of the stay at home mom life.

As a new mom, this story really resonated

Laura Hankin knows how to tell (and perform!) a funny, heartfelt story. This book portrays both the comedy and drama of female friendship, and as a new mom, I could relate to some of the identity crises depicted. I loved listening to this while taking my own baby out for a walk. Can’t wait to read more of her books and meet more of her relatable characters!

First book I’ve read(listened to) in years

Amazing book for my first book in years…I forgot who told me about the book but I enjoyed it and the storyline kept me interested through and through. 10/10 would recommend

Riveting!!! You’ll love it.

My boyfriend and I just drove from NYC to Santa Fe, and this book kept us entertained and awake the whole way. This was actually the first audiobook I’ve ever listened to (other audiobooks made me fall asleep). The author narrated it herself and did a great acting job with the many characters especially Amara and Whitney. I laughed out loud a bunch. We basically binged it, and I hope it’ll be a tv series or movie too!!!

Not all the sparkles shines

From start to finish I tried to out maneuver the writer and I was wrong. The off beat turns and humor is refreshing, who doesn’t want to be surprised and engaged. The characters were dynamic and the plot was easy enough to pick up in between flights or on grocery store runs. If you want a little escape this is a fun listen