Happier Here With You

by Amy Gail Hansen

A widowed mother finds the recipe for happiness when she visits a long-lost relative in a heart-lifting novel about family, food, and second chances.

Widowed and overworked, museum curator and food historian Maggie Brodbeck struggles to spend quality time with her five-year-old daughter, Hannah. Fueled by on-the-go meals, she doesn’t even have time to breathe, let alone pursue personal happiness. Then, out of the blue, Maggie receives an invitation from her estranged great-aunt Alice to visit her Wisconsin farm. The time has come, Magpie.

Desperate for a break, for herself and for Hannah, Maggie finds Rosehill Farm to be a revelation. In the enigmatic Alice, Maggie finds a kindred spirit. Whether baking together or just looking at the stars, they share a natural rhythm. The calming pace of country living is made even sweeter when Maggie meets the charismatic Brady, a local pastry chef.

Then Maggie opens her aunt’s treasured box of generations-old recipes and discovers the surprising threads of her heroic family history. The recipes not only shed light on the past, but reconnect Maggie to her love of cooking and to a life of contentment close to her heart—and back to herself.

Genres: Fiction, Romance, Contemporary, Family, Historical Fiction, Food, Historical

297 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 1, 2026

About the author

Amy Gail Hansen is the author of HAPPIER HERE WITH YOU and THE BUTTERFLY SISTER. A former English teacher and journalist, Amy is also a professional food-history lecturer on topics ranging from Midwest sweets to New Orleans cuisine. She is an avid cook, baker, and reader, and never ceases to be amazed by the story of food and the remarkable ways it shapes our lives. She lives in the Chicago suburbs with her husband and three children.

Reviews

[Kate Quinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read for a cover quote, and loved it. HAPPIER HERE WITH YOU is a warm hygge-shaped hug for the burned-out reader who wishes life would just slow down. Widowed, stressed-out Maggie can barely keep up with her grief, her five-year-old daughter, and her job as a food historian—an out-of-the-blue invitation from her mysterious aunt Alice to spend a summer at Rosehill Farm provides a much-needed opportunity for a re-set. As Maggie learns more about her family's history at the farm, stretching back to World War II and the Women's Land Army, she will find out what she truly wants for herself and her future. Amy Gail Hansen will make you crave a slower-paced life, a farmhouse kitchen, and homemade scones, in that order.

[Sheri · Rating 3 out of 5]

I seem to be in the minority here with my review. This book felt like a Hallmark movie, and I'm not much for Hallmark movies. The storyline was very predictable, and a little sugary for my taste. I was extremely annoyed by the fact that the mother kept Alice from Maggie simply because she was embarrassed that she outsourced parenting? I figured there HAD to be some other reason, that Alice did something absolutely terrible, but there wasn't. Did Maggie not have any trauma (and memory) from being ripped from the only parent she really knew for THREE YEARS? But, man, Alice was amazing to keep writing letters to her, knowing she would get no response.

I liked learning about the Women's Land Army, something I had never heard of, and the dual timeline wasn't annoying for this. I admit that I rolled my eyes the first time, but then I came to enjoy seeing things through Rose's eyes.

Some reviewers say the characters were well-fleshed out, but I disagree. I felt they were shallow. And some of the interactions left me wondering what sort of emotion I was supposed to be getting from it, because it was all she said this, he said that, with no indication of HOW things were said.

I did like how food and homemaking featured in the book, that they are still valuable. It has taken me 30 years to realize how important homemaking is, whether you work outside the home or not. Knowing how to create a comfortable home is important either way.

I still give the book 3 stars because I did keep reading it. It was predictable, but I still had to make sure. It almost felt like a first draft outline, though, and could have been so much better.

[Jasmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars. Folks, this is why I have moved to the country. This was like a warm blanket on a cold night, just a nice comfort book. Not brilliantly written or anything. It was just a lovely feel good novel.

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

An unexpected and joyful surprise! This is a warm and sunny read about family and those around us that influence our lives. It’s about sharing each other with love and maybe some risks. It’s listening to our hearts and not so much of our brains. And sometimes it works out well.

This book came to out of no where but it was perfect timing. I’ve been dealing with some health issues; not critical but so annoying. This book lifted my spirits during a time when I really needed it.

I don’t like to recount what the story is about in my reviews because I feel the book summary can tell you all that. And yes, I’m tired and lazy right now. But it brings together long lost family, supporting and helping them and so many others with the very basics of life. Food and nature play a big role. You can immerse yourself in it so wonderfully.

It’s very well written, tightly edited and encourages helping others while you’re also helping and healing yourself. I highly recommend it.

Thanks to Lake Union Publishing, Kindle First Reads and my online book friend, Annissa Joy Armstrong who made me aware of its existence.

And a newly found author, Amy Gail Hanson. I’ll be looking forward to your next book!

[Leslie Talkington · Rating 3 out of 5]

nice clean read

It’s nice to read a book with no murder, scandalous sex scenes, no lies, no blood. Just a really fun story. Well done.

[Kimberly Hroma · Rating 5 out of 5]

AMAZING-pulled my heartstrings in the best way!

Thanks “kindle first reads” or I wouldn’t have ever heard of this author or book. LOVED each character and the story was soooo wonderful!! My heart felt light, happy encouraged and sometimes sad (but not in a bad way) Wish so much our wonderful country and its people were as united as back in the times of Rose. War is awful nomatter when or where but wish we still had unity and family and community..

[Le An]

it’s a little too hallmark for me

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 ⭐️

A heartfelt story about family, love, and finding where you truly belong. Told through both past and present timelines, it brought together different family dynamics, exploring everything from estranged relationships to the beauty of found family.

Food plays a wonderful role throughout the story, adding warmth and connection to the journeys the characters are on. I enjoyed seeing how the different storylines came together, but the pacing was a little slower than I liked at times.

I listened to the audiobook, and Aasne Vigesaa did an excellent job with the narration. Her accents were fantastic, and she gave each character a distinct voice that made it easy to follow the large cast and added so much personality to the story.

Overall, this was an emotional, comforting read with memorable family relationships and a beautifully performed audiobook.

Thank you NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing, and Brilliance Publishing | Brilliance Audio for the ARC and ALC!

[Katie McDonald · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cute story but I thought it would be deeper and more about the main character’s relationship with her daughter than her new love interest.
Also, it felt like the story was trying to be too many things. Both a romance and a historical fiction and it didn’t feel quite right.
I really enjoyed all the talk about food though!

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprising First Read from Prime. I fell in love with all of the characters. This did not disappoint!

[Mac · Rating 3 out of 5]

i liked elements of this story but the blurb and reviews i’ve read seemed misleading. i was absolutely in love with the main character in the first 10 to 15 chapters but i found myself missing the romancey feeling i was promised. i found brady to be an immature and love interest and felt more emotionally connected to her dead husband than him. i liked the backstory of rose hill and the historical subplot but it felt like that was the main focus compared to the romance. i enjoyed the baking school but thought it lacked depth and honestly dreaded everytime the “scandi trio” showed up. i thought this book tried to manufacture emotions that i were not feeling about the characters and overall it was pretty bleh. i liked how they handled the harder themes of grief and distant familial relations but that was overshadowed by how little i cared about the current characters.

5 stars for the rose hill girls, her dead husband and the kid
3 stars for the random side characters
0 for brady and his whining

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to the audio version of this book and loved the narration! I don’t tend to listen to fiction, but this book might have changed my mind. The story was heartwarming and I enjoyed the elements of food and culture.

[Erin VanderBunt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was not expecting to enjoy this book so much. So many unexpected themes - it was just an all-around sweet, happy story about the things that matter most.

[Alayna · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book probably ended well based on the reviews but I found Brady manipulative and immature. Hopefully the ending contains a less about dealing with disappointment. This was a no-go for me.

[Anita (Hearts and Whodunits) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Widowed and overworked, food anthropologist Maggie Brodbeck struggles to spend quality time with her daughter, Hannah. She doesn’t have time to breathe, let alone pursue personal happiness. Then, Maggie receives an invitation from her estranged great-aunt Alice to visit her Wisconsin farm. Desperate for a break, Maggie finds Rosehill Farm to be a revelation. In Alice, Maggie finds a kindred spirit. They share a natural rhythm. The calming pace of country living is made even sweeter when Maggie meets Brady, a local pastry chef. Then Maggie opens her aunt’s treasured box of recipes and discovers the threads of her heroic family history. The recipes not only shed light on the past but reconnect Maggie to her love of cooking and to a life of contentment close to her heart, and back to herself.
This was one of the most amazing, and moving novels that I have read in a long time. I felt a kinship with the main character because I'm also a widow. And I know that it can be hard to find your footing in a world when your significant other is no longer with you. I found Maggie to be a strong, intelligent and capable woman. The farm was such a dynamic setting that I found it more like another character because it grew and had hardships like any other character. Feeling the love from the other townspeople jump off the page made me want to visit this town. This was a sweet contemporary romance with no intense sexual scenes. This book was a selection from the Amazon First Reads program.

[Amy K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hygge

This is such a heart-warming, sweet story of family, connections and personal growth. Absolutely loved it. The audible narrator did a fabulous job bringing the characters to life.

[Tam Sesto · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming story about life and cooking. Alice and Hannah are fascinating characters and bring the story to life. Add in food as a main character, with recipes at the back of the book, and you’ve got me.

My review is voluntary and all comments and opinions are my own.

[Katie McCoy · Rating 2 out of 5]

The cooking with the grandmothers was quite hard to read 🥺 but other than that book was straight out of a hallmark movie. I need more conflict or something this was too sappy.

[AshleyCC · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5. light and heartwarming. It was a fairly predictable storyline, and felt very Hallmark feel-good. However, having just read a few “heavier” books, Hallmark is what I needed!

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was this a sugary sweet hallmark movie book 100%Yes. It is a cute touching story that takes place in my home state of WI. It was just sweet yes predictable but I don’t care I loved it. I loved the recipes and the learning of the Women’s Land Army, which I knew nothing about. It was just cute!

[Patrice Tinetti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful summer read

This is the first book I’ve read by Amy Hansen, but I’ll definitely look for more. Great story, a bit of mystery with bits to keep you wondering. Didn’t want it to end!

[Jennifer Simmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book completely captured my heart from beginning to end. It was emotional, comforting, and beautifully written in a way that made me feel deeply connected to the characters and their journey. Every chapter pulled me in more, and I found myself smiling, reflecting, and even tearing up at times. It reminds us the importance the role of food and cooking can have during difficult times. How it can bring people together.

What I loved most was how relatable and heartfelt the story felt. It reminded me of the importance of love, healing, and finding happiness in the people and places that truly matter. The writing was easy to fall into, and the emotions stayed with me long after I finished the last page.

This is the kind of book you never want to end, and I already know I’ll be thinking about it for a long time. Absolutely recommend to anyone looking for a touching, uplifting, and unforgettable read!

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those rare books that reminds you why you fell in love with reading in the first place.

At its heart, this is a story about grief, found family, forgiveness, motherhood, and the courage to keep loving after loss. Every relationship felt authentic. Nothing was rushed, nothing felt forced, and every reveal was earned. The romance was gentle, the mystery unfolded beautifully across generations, and the historical timeline blended seamlessly with the present.

Rose completely stole my heart. Her quiet strength, generosity, and unwavering ability to love despite unimaginable loss made her one of the most memorable characters I've read in a long time. 

One quote perfectly captures who she was:

"Motherhood is a job of cultivation. You don't necessarily reap what you sow. The world is often the receiver of that gift."

That single sentence explains the entire soul of this novel.

The book is filled with moments that linger long after you finish. A forgotten Christmas gift waiting decades to be opened. Recipes passed from one generation to the next. A farmhouse that becomes more than a place. It becomes home.

By the time I reached the ending, this line completely broke me:

"She always had the courage to be vulnerable, to love again."

That's what this book is really about.

And then, after all the heartbreak, Amy Gail Hansen leaves us with the most beautiful reminder:

"Been around the world, a time or two, but I'm just happier here with you."

This wasn't just a five-star read for me. It was a book that made me cry, smile, hope, and hug it when I was finished. If you love multigenerational family stories, historical fiction, found family, cozy farms, and stories that celebrate ordinary kindness, don't let this one pass you by.

❤️🌾📚

[ColleenSC (colleenallbooks) · Rating 5 out of 5]

A widowed mother, Maggie, and her young daughter visit Maggie’s great aunt Alice on a Wisconsin farm. Maggie learns that Alice cared for her when she was young and realizes that so much of her love for food and cooking came from Alice. While they rejoice in their reunion, they also must figure out how to save the farm.

Alice shows Maggie a recipe box of old family recipes that takes Maggie - and the readers - back to the 1940s where we learn the incredible story of the Women’s Land Army of America and see a group of women working together to keep farms going during WWII.

Both timelines are compelling. I’m interested in women’s history that hasn’t been as acknowledged as it should be. And the joyful journey of a woman taking time to rediscover what she truly loves is just beautiful. This is a book that can make you believe in miracles.

[Nikki Cannata · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one. It felt like curling up with a cozy Hallmark movie in book form, and that was exactly what I was looking to read. The small town setting was one of my favorite parts, as jt reminded me of a small Wisconsin town my fiancé and I love to visit twice year.

I do wish we’d gotten a little more depth from some of the main characters. I found myself wanting to know them on a deeper level, but I also recognize that this type of light, feel-good story isn’t necessarily aiming for that.

I happened to read this during a 36-hour travel nightmare on my way home from overseas, and it honestly couldn’t have come at a better time. While everything around me felt stressful and exhausting, this book was a comforting little escape and a much needed ray of light.

[Erika Bazzle · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️ Time to grow like wild! Happier Here With You is a story about finding your true purpose & connection to where you came from. It’s the kind of delicious story Nancy Meyers would cook up if she was from the Midwest. Prepare for major kitchen envy, with a side of historical fiction and romance.

Loved learning about the WLA farmerettes! It’s really amazing how much loving efficiency can get done when you get a good group of women together.

For those you who understand the power and community of food… this one is for you.

[Remy Muly · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.3 - this was a free book on Kindle and I ended up really enjoying it! It reminded me of a Hallmark movie set in the summertime but with more depth and creativity. I appreciated the influence of food culture and history! It made me want to go to Wisconsin and shop local and live on a farm and become a baker and touch grass🫶
There were discussions of grief in many forms—specifically death of a loved one. It was not too heavy but not too light. The author navigated it well and it spoke to me a lot!
A feel good read is all I can handle in this season and this was the perfect one.

[Courtney Rabideau · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blast from the past

Maggie is a single mother raising her 5 year old daughter after her husband dies. She is contracted by her great aunt who lives in a small town. Supposedly the two never met, but that turns out to not to be true. Maggie and her daughter love the town and she meets a man who runs a camp for people who like to cook. There are mysteries surrounding her great grandmother and the women who lived with her during the war. The book was great and couldn’t wait to find out more. Thought for sure that the great aunt was going to turn out to be Maggie’s grandmother, so was glad that that didn’t happen.

[Kara Cunny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I freakin’ loved it

I believe that books find us when we need them, and this lovely book confirms that fact. I quickly got sucked into the story of Maggie, a busy mom and widow feeling lost in her own life.

It’s full of midwestern charm, memories of summers with grandma, and reminders that families are messy and beautiful. And it will get you itching to get in the kitchen and start creating.

[Rachel Hammond · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delicious, from start to finish

The story unfolds like a misty morning that gives way to gentle sunshine. It’s an ensemble cast of characters with nuances and layers that fit together so well,

A really enjoyable read which shines a light on wartime stories so often overlooked exploring the recurring themes of strong women, the important part that role models play in our lives and what happens when secrets and memories intertwine.

Wonderful book.