Book giveaway: The Secrets of Happiness by Lucy Diamond

[UrsulaMumsnet]

This month we want to introduce you to Lucy Diamond, author of Summer at Shell Cottage and her latest book, The Secrets of Happiness. To find out more about Lucy, read her Q&A, and to apply for one of 50 free copies, go to the giveaway page.

Stepsisters Rachel and Becca have never been close and seem to live completely different lives but when they are inadvertently thrown together, they realise happiness and love can be found in peculiar places.

Picador have asked us to find 50 Mumsnetters to read The Secrets of Happiness and tell us what they think about it on this discussion thread. Go to the giveaway page to find out more and apply for a free copy.

You don't have to win a free copy to take part in the discussion. Anyone who has read The Secrets of Happiness can post their feedback here, and all who post before 14th March will be entered into a prize draw to win a £100 Love2Shop voucher.

Don't worry if you haven't finished reading. Feel free to drop in at whatever point you've got up to and give your fellow readers your first impressions about the story, characters, writing style.

This giveaway is sponsored by Picador

Finished the book in four days, a record for me, now passed it on to my mum, thoroughly enjoyed reading it, what I call an easy read, just right for me, and my busy life style. My grandma used to make Welsh Cakes so will definitely have a go at making them. Thank you Lucy , One of the best books I have read in years.

It was a real treat to receive my copy of The Secrets of Happiness. It is such a beautiful looking book! I love the cover design. I haven't finished it yet but enjoying it a lot so far. I am intrigued to find out how it all ends.

It was a lovely surprise to get a copy of this book - thank you very much. I'd read a couple of Lucy Diamond's previous books and, like them, it was a very enjoyable and easy read. Some of the themes it touches on are slightly darker than in the other books of hers that I'd read but, as others have said, they aren't treated in any great depth and this is one of those books that you know is going to have a happy ending.

The two sisters, Rachel and Becca, are very different but both interesting characters and completely believable. I really liked the characters of the children too, and thought they were very well written. Everything is neatly tied up at the end, which in some ways makes the book a little predictable, but at the same time it's a real feel-good read that focuses on the importance of family. It's the kind of book I like to take away with me on holiday - not too challenging a read but with a story and characters that draw you in right from the start.

I had been hoping to hang onto this book for another week, and read it while I was away on holiday. However - I FORCED myself to read it earlier for the sake of Mumsnet.

I love Lucy Diamond, so was so pleased to win a copy. Much as I loved the story (I have three sisters and at any one time, two of the four, if not three of the four, will not be speaking to each other, usually over some stupid misunderstanding due to lack of communication) - I have to say that it was the descriptions of the exercise classes that I particularly enjoyed. I would love a fitness instructor like Becca. It might even get me to stop reading and off the couch...

Not read anything by this author before, but definitely enjoyed the book and will be looking out for more books by Lucy Diamond.

Thank you very much for sending me a copy of The Secrets of Happiness by Lucy Diamond. I am reading it as I type. So far have really enjoyed everything I have read. This is the first book I have read by this author, but definately will not be the last. I was hooked from the first few pages.
I will post again when I've finished reading it.

Very late to the party - but I'm settling down to the book now. I was saving it for a weekend away, and rather cleverly left behind. I thoroughly enjoyed Summer at Shell Cottage, so look forward to adding my review of this one very soon.

The Secret of Happiness is a fantastic book and one I would recommend.

Becca and Rachel are both characters who I immediately liked. I really enjoyed reading about them both and their lives, and didn't favour one over the other which often happens when reading books such as this!
One phrase to sum up some of the story I think is; the grass isn't always greener!

I have read Lucy diamond books in the past but not for a long time and this has certainly made me notice her again and will seek out books I may have missed.
Thanks for the opportunity to get this book.

Thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, full of interesting characters, story about family life with added humour.

Finished the book in one sitting. An enjoyable read, however I don't feel as much happens in terms of twists, so personally I didn't enjoy as much as Summer at Shell Cottage. That said the book physically was lovely. The characters I enjoyed and the writing does enable you to drift off in the story (hence why I managed to read it in one evening). Very suitable for an easy holiday read but I felt more could happen. (Perhaps a few less tied up ends to leave you thinking). Overall though a pleasant read.

Thank you everyone for your feedback. Seems like the majority of you enjoyed the book, and it's especially great to see that we might have created a few more LD fans! I'm delighted to announce the winner of the £100 Love2Shop voucher is Fitzybelle. Congratulations!

Im so enjoying reading The secrets of Happiness, love the characters and the unfolding story, and the cover is fabulously pretty. thank you for my free book : )