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Os Segredos da Felicidade
Uma vida nova pode estar onde você menos espera.
Lucy Diamond é autora de mais de 10 romances, sendo publicada em 15 idiomas e sempre figura na lista de mais vendidos.
“Um livro maravilhoso, repleto de momentos de ternura.” – Novelicious
Em uma casa de um bairro elegante, a história de duas mulheres volta a se cruzar...
Rachel e Becca são irmãs postiças que nunca se deram bem. Rachel é considerada a bem-sucedida da dupla: um casamento feliz, três filhos e uma casa grande, além de uma carreira invejável. Enquanto isso, a artística Becca pula de um emprego sem futuro a outro, divide um apartamento precário com uma colega excêntrica e já desistiu de encontrar o amor.
Com o passar dos anos, elas se afastaram e acabaram perdendo contato, mas um dia, quando Rachel não volta para casa à noite, seus filhos chamam Becca para ajudar. Uma vez lá, logo percebe que a vida da irmã não é tão perfeita assim: ela se divorciou, as crianças vivem em pé de guerra e sua carreira glamorosa desmoronou. E o pior de tudo é que ninguém tem ideia de onde ela possa estar.
À medida que desvenda os segredos de Rachel, Becca é forçada a encarar algumas verdades desagradáveis sobre a própria vida, e o futuro parece incerto.
Mas às vezes a felicidade pode aparecer nos lugares mais inusitados...
Lucy Diamond é autora de mais de 10 romances, sendo publicada em 15 idiomas e sempre figura na lista de mais vendidos.
“Um livro maravilhoso, repleto de momentos de ternura.” – Novelicious
Em uma casa de um bairro elegante, a história de duas mulheres volta a se cruzar...
Rachel e Becca são irmãs postiças que nunca se deram bem. Rachel é considerada a bem-sucedida da dupla: um casamento feliz, três filhos e uma casa grande, além de uma carreira invejável. Enquanto isso, a artística Becca pula de um emprego sem futuro a outro, divide um apartamento precário com uma colega excêntrica e já desistiu de encontrar o amor.
Com o passar dos anos, elas se afastaram e acabaram perdendo contato, mas um dia, quando Rachel não volta para casa à noite, seus filhos chamam Becca para ajudar. Uma vez lá, logo percebe que a vida da irmã não é tão perfeita assim: ela se divorciou, as crianças vivem em pé de guerra e sua carreira glamorosa desmoronou. E o pior de tudo é que ninguém tem ideia de onde ela possa estar.
À medida que desvenda os segredos de Rachel, Becca é forçada a encarar algumas verdades desagradáveis sobre a própria vida, e o futuro parece incerto.
Mas às vezes a felicidade pode aparecer nos lugares mais inusitados...
320 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2021
155 people are currently reading
2627 people want to read
About the author
Lucy Diamond
82 books1,426 followersLibrarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
First of all, a confession. My name isn’t really Lucy Diamond at all, it’s Sue Mongredien. I’ve used a pen name because ‘Diamond’ is a lot easier to spell and pronounce than ‘Mongredien’ and also because I’ve written lots of children’s books too and wanted to keep the genres separate. (There is actually another Lucy Diamond on Amazon who writes religious children’s books. That isn’t me, though.)
I was born in 1970 and grew up in Nottingham. I read English at Leeds University then moved to London and worked for various publishers before I packed it all in to go travelling around the world for a year and a half. When I came back to the UK, I worked in publishing again, then moved to the BBC. I now live in Bath with my husband and three young children and divide my time between writing and looking after them. You can have a look at my children’s books here.
Favourite things: beaches, holidays, chocolate, wine, reading, Green Wing, bubble baths, sunshine, hearing my children laugh, babysitters
Favourite books: The Magus (John Fowles), The Edible Woman (Margaret Atwood), The Secret History (Donna Tartt), The Colour of Memory (Geoff Dyer)
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
First of all, a confession. My name isn’t really Lucy Diamond at all, it’s Sue Mongredien. I’ve used a pen name because ‘Diamond’ is a lot easier to spell and pronounce than ‘Mongredien’ and also because I’ve written lots of children’s books too and wanted to keep the genres separate. (There is actually another Lucy Diamond on Amazon who writes religious children’s books. That isn’t me, though.)
I was born in 1970 and grew up in Nottingham. I read English at Leeds University then moved to London and worked for various publishers before I packed it all in to go travelling around the world for a year and a half. When I came back to the UK, I worked in publishing again, then moved to the BBC. I now live in Bath with my husband and three young children and divide my time between writing and looking after them. You can have a look at my children’s books here.
Favourite things: beaches, holidays, chocolate, wine, reading, Green Wing, bubble baths, sunshine, hearing my children laugh, babysitters
Favourite books: The Magus (John Fowles), The Edible Woman (Margaret Atwood), The Secret History (Donna Tartt), The Colour of Memory (Geoff Dyer)
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 353 reviews
February 6, 2016
The Secrets of Happiness is reading a Lucy Diamond book!! And this one doesn't disappoint!!
Becca and Rachel are step-sisters and circumstances have meant their 'sister' bond hasn't always been the strongest, so when Rachel mysteriously disappears one night totally out of character and so Auntie Becca is called in to take care of Rachels' children until Rachel can be found. It's a completely different lifestyle for Becca who has never really settled in anyone place or job, and so she soon finds the domestic life she imagined her sister having isn't all that it seemed!
Was really interesting to read how the sisters' relationship changed over the book as they both see that the grass isn't always greener, and how listening to others lies had changed their perception of the truth. Add into the mix the fun antics of the children, potential new career opportunities and the possibility of romance and it was just such a lovely story.
Becca and Rachel are step-sisters and circumstances have meant their 'sister' bond hasn't always been the strongest, so when Rachel mysteriously disappears one night totally out of character and so Auntie Becca is called in to take care of Rachels' children until Rachel can be found. It's a completely different lifestyle for Becca who has never really settled in anyone place or job, and so she soon finds the domestic life she imagined her sister having isn't all that it seemed!
Was really interesting to read how the sisters' relationship changed over the book as they both see that the grass isn't always greener, and how listening to others lies had changed their perception of the truth. Add into the mix the fun antics of the children, potential new career opportunities and the possibility of romance and it was just such a lovely story.
March 28, 2017
A few computer problems means this is going to be a shorter review than normal.
I was interested enough in this book from the beginning. It is the story of two stepsisters who are as different as they can be, and who have virtually no time for each other. That changes when Rachel is injured in a mugging and Becca is called upon to help out and care for Rachels's two children and later, Rachel, when she comes home from hospital. Becca begins to see Rachel's life is not as perfect as she thought and Rachel comes to understand her step sister a bit better. Along the way they come to understand more about each other and also themselves. This was an okay read about families, and about lies that can affect relationships. While it was readable, I have to admit though that I never really became emotionally invested in the characters and I got tired of the language at times. But that could be just me.
I was interested enough in this book from the beginning. It is the story of two stepsisters who are as different as they can be, and who have virtually no time for each other. That changes when Rachel is injured in a mugging and Becca is called upon to help out and care for Rachels's two children and later, Rachel, when she comes home from hospital. Becca begins to see Rachel's life is not as perfect as she thought and Rachel comes to understand her step sister a bit better. Along the way they come to understand more about each other and also themselves. This was an okay read about families, and about lies that can affect relationships. While it was readable, I have to admit though that I never really became emotionally invested in the characters and I got tired of the language at times. But that could be just me.
February 5, 2019
Was this book predictable and slightly formulaic? Yes, sure... Did I love it anyway? Absolutely! I can't say exactly what it was, but I couldn't put this book down. This is some perfect light reading for me-time :)
August 22, 2016
Really enjoyed this tale of 2 (step) sisters - totally different to each other and leading totally seperate lives who are brought together against their will. An engaging family tale with plenty of smiles and laughs. Would recommend.
December 29, 2016
This was my first Lucy Diamond book and I really enjoyed it. Relatable characters and situations.
May 25, 2016
I loved this story of sisters Becca and Rachel whose lives come together to mend their broken relationship. A family drama with plenty of laughs - especially good on audio.
December 4, 2019
Great feel good book.
November 10, 2019
This is the second book by Lucy diamond I have read and enjoyed. It is a story about two sisters who don’t get on and then are thrown together after one of them has an accident. It is a good family drama with a few ups and downs and happy times. Nicely written and a feel good book.
February 25, 2017
My friend and work colleague Suzanne lent me this book a while ago and having read it, I'm so glad she did because I have now found a new author I love. Going into this book I would say, you'll love it if you're looking for light-hearted chick-lit style reading with a touch of romance and family. This book doesn't pretend to be more than that and to be honest, it was a refreshing break from some of the more intense books I have read this year.
This book seems to be predominantly focused on Becca who was by far my favourite of the two (but it was close). Becca is a very creative woman who has struggled finding her feet in the world of work and has been moving from job to job for quite some time. Her stepsister Rachel however, seems to her to have the most perfect life, husband, kids, job, the works! When Rachel disappears one day, Becca's niece calls her to ask for help. Becca drops everything to go and look after three children in the home of somebody who has previously ignored her.
The beauty of this story is that it is all unwanted from the start. Neither Becca or Rachel are particularly interested in having a relationship with each other (Rachel more so) and it is fate that throws them back together after pretty much no contact for a long time. The moment Becca shows up at Rachel's house, she soon realises nothing is as it seems. Her husband has left her, the children are (typical) difficult children who have to be looked after 24/7 and her job is not quite as glamorous as it seemed.
Becca tries to be helpful and help out as much as possible, even though she isn't wanted. The blossoming relationship between the two shows how much hearsay, speculation and throwaway comments can really mean destruction. I warmed more to Becca because the story is predominantly on her side but as I got to know the hardships and life struggles of Rachel, she became more and more understandable despite her flaws.
The ending of this story, although fairly predictable, was compelling and really made me think about the relationships in my life. I also learnt from this book not to judge a situation from the outside, without making a conscious decision to help/understand the deeper meanings of it.
Overall this book gave me all the warm, fuzzy feelings and I can't wait to read more by Lucy Diamond in the future.
This book seems to be predominantly focused on Becca who was by far my favourite of the two (but it was close). Becca is a very creative woman who has struggled finding her feet in the world of work and has been moving from job to job for quite some time. Her stepsister Rachel however, seems to her to have the most perfect life, husband, kids, job, the works! When Rachel disappears one day, Becca's niece calls her to ask for help. Becca drops everything to go and look after three children in the home of somebody who has previously ignored her.
The beauty of this story is that it is all unwanted from the start. Neither Becca or Rachel are particularly interested in having a relationship with each other (Rachel more so) and it is fate that throws them back together after pretty much no contact for a long time. The moment Becca shows up at Rachel's house, she soon realises nothing is as it seems. Her husband has left her, the children are (typical) difficult children who have to be looked after 24/7 and her job is not quite as glamorous as it seemed.
Becca tries to be helpful and help out as much as possible, even though she isn't wanted. The blossoming relationship between the two shows how much hearsay, speculation and throwaway comments can really mean destruction. I warmed more to Becca because the story is predominantly on her side but as I got to know the hardships and life struggles of Rachel, she became more and more understandable despite her flaws.
The ending of this story, although fairly predictable, was compelling and really made me think about the relationships in my life. I also learnt from this book not to judge a situation from the outside, without making a conscious decision to help/understand the deeper meanings of it.
Overall this book gave me all the warm, fuzzy feelings and I can't wait to read more by Lucy Diamond in the future.
December 27, 2016
Rachel and Becca are stepsisters. They each live their lives and aren't very close. Rachel is successful, she has a great career and a perfect family. Becca is single and she hasn't been able to find the job that's right for her yet. Rachel doesn't like Becca very much and keeps her distance. That changes when something happens and Rachel doesn't come home one night. Becca gets a call and she tries to be there for Rachel's kids as well as she can until her sister comes back. Then she discovers that Rachel's life isn't as easy as it seems. What will happen when Rachel finally comes back, will they have a chance to make things right again?
The Secret of Happiness is a fabulous story about two sisters who don't have much in common. They're very different and when their parents got married it didn't mean they would become close. Rachel and Becca are both wonderful women and I immediately liked them. I enjoyed reading about both of them equally. I loved reading about the personal growth, about their jobs and their love lives. Reading about Rachel's children put a smile on my face, they're really sweet.
I like Lucy Diamon's writing style. I always feel like I'm watching the scenes as they've been described so vividly. Every detail is exactly right. I like how much attention she pays to both the big and the little things in life. For me that makes her stories complete. I like how the best and worst personality traits of her main characters define them in an equal manner. It makes them human and I often find them endearing. I love Lucy Diamond's stories, they're all heartwarming. The Secrets of Happiness is a great book and I highly recommend it.
The Secret of Happiness is a fabulous story about two sisters who don't have much in common. They're very different and when their parents got married it didn't mean they would become close. Rachel and Becca are both wonderful women and I immediately liked them. I enjoyed reading about both of them equally. I loved reading about the personal growth, about their jobs and their love lives. Reading about Rachel's children put a smile on my face, they're really sweet.
I like Lucy Diamon's writing style. I always feel like I'm watching the scenes as they've been described so vividly. Every detail is exactly right. I like how much attention she pays to both the big and the little things in life. For me that makes her stories complete. I like how the best and worst personality traits of her main characters define them in an equal manner. It makes them human and I often find them endearing. I love Lucy Diamond's stories, they're all heartwarming. The Secrets of Happiness is a great book and I highly recommend it.
November 14, 2024
En sano et tää oli huono kirja, mut ei ollu yhtään mun tyylinen. Tosi kädenlämpönen. Tajusin tän kirjan myötä et toivon et oppisin kirjoista jotain uutta tai uuden näkökulman. Tää kirja ei kuitenkaa tarjonnu mulle mitään. Tän fiilis oli ku Gilmore Girls sarja mut ilman draamaa, komediaa tai muitakaa mausteita.
February 4, 2023
Can’t believe this novel managed to stretch across 470 pages !!! Very flat read
November 11, 2017
First third was brilliant, then it wasn't quite so strong. Even so, it was a fun read with happy endings. I would have like to have had a better resolution to the story of Rachel and her mum though.
February 9, 2016
See my review on my blog now : candysbookcase.wordpress.com
September 27, 2024
I enjoyed this book particularly because it portrayed everyday struggles yet it had an interesting twist which kept me really engaged. It shed light on important themes of self reflection, love and family relations. Usually, with every book, you have particular characters you dislike and although, at times, I had found myself disliking Rachel and Adam, I think they reformed and I gained a deeper understanding of why they acted in that way. Although, I predicted some of the plot, I wasn’t angry about it and found myself feeling quite happy with the ending. I loved how the book covered different characters stories despite the main story being about stepsisters Becca and Rachel. It helped me to understand how everyone has their own struggles but it’s important to think about the bigger picture and find ways to help one another in times of need. This book had romance, comedy and even at times, sadness. Overall, an amazing slice of life story with lots of depth :)
February 11, 2021
Really enjoyed “The Secrets of Happiness”- it’s the first Lucy Diamond book I’ve read, and it’s been such a pleasure I’ll certainly read more. It’s a smart, well-written title with depth, feeling, and heart- and a hell of a lot of humour. It’s about 480 pages yet I raced through it in two days- I remember spotting I was on page 93 when I would have sworn I was only in the 40s. The story is set in summer in Hereford- which I’ve now added to my bucket list to visit, all thanks to Diamond’s descriptions. I also found the book life-affirming and a bit of a kick up the butt- like Becca, my life has stalled since losing a parent. I finished the book feeling full of renewed purpose- and a bit of hope that there will be days in the future worth striving for. Will be highly recommending this title to my library customers.
October 16, 2025
Uma bela história de segundas chances, recomeços e amizade! Becca e Rachel são irmãs postiças que nunca tiveram conexão, um ano após o falecimento do pai, Rachel sofre um acidente e é Becca quem lhe estende a mão, cuidando da casa e dos sobrinhos enquanto a irmã postiça se recupera. E nesse tempo, as duas se curam das feridas da infância e vida entre elas. Becca sempre foi a caçula rebelde e mimada pelos pais, enquanto Rachel foi a mais velha independente e invisível.
A história permeia os anseios de Becca de se conectar com a irmã e fazer parte da vida dela e dos sobrinhos, de descobrir seu caminho na vida. Rachel se pega precisando de ajuda, tendo que rever os preconceitos que tinha da irmã e da madrasta e o quanto era solitária, sem uma rede de apoio e sem uma família próxima.
Eu amei o livro e como a autora desenrola e reescreve o caminho das irmãs de volta a si próprias e também o quanto o afeto e apoio de uma a outra se torna importante.
A história permeia os anseios de Becca de se conectar com a irmã e fazer parte da vida dela e dos sobrinhos, de descobrir seu caminho na vida. Rachel se pega precisando de ajuda, tendo que rever os preconceitos que tinha da irmã e da madrasta e o quanto era solitária, sem uma rede de apoio e sem uma família próxima.
Eu amei o livro e como a autora desenrola e reescreve o caminho das irmãs de volta a si próprias e também o quanto o afeto e apoio de uma a outra se torna importante.
July 21, 2017
Chick-lit at its best. Perfect holiday read. Author recommended by a fellow book lover. The lead characters are likeable and parts made me laugh out loud. Looking forward to reading "One night in Italy".
May 12, 2020
Oh, I just love Lucy Diamond’s books! Always a safe bet - happy, family saga, feel good. I usually read her books on holiday but my mum gave me this one during lockdown and it’s been a perfect little escape!
September 3, 2018
Ooh I don't know why I didn't pick this up earlier. The cover looks pretty, the plot sounded interesting - but the combination somehow made me expect something not-so-good and awfully annoying.
Well, wrong. It turned out to have a perfect storyline with a really great dosage of crisis, problems, turns, lovestory and personal development, 'antagonist' etc. Not too much or too less of everything.
Once or twice I expected unnecessary conflicts due to unnecessarily bad communication between two characters. But they turned out to not be that way. Instead, executed in a very satisfying way. I was positively surprised.
Well, wrong. It turned out to have a perfect storyline with a really great dosage of crisis, problems, turns, lovestory and personal development, 'antagonist' etc. Not too much or too less of everything.
Once or twice I expected unnecessary conflicts due to unnecessarily bad communication between two characters. But they turned out to not be that way. Instead, executed in a very satisfying way. I was positively surprised.
January 17, 2022
Cute little story. Very easy to read
February 26, 2025
Tämä oli mukava ja kevyt luettava, naurattikin muutaman kerran ihan ääneen.
February 19, 2017
Don't usually listen to chic lit but quite liked this one!
May 23, 2024
Predictable but such a easy light read
January 29, 2025
Tämä oli ihan kiva, vaikka onkin totta kai tosi kaavamainen ja ennalta-arvattava.
September 16, 2024
Estranged sisters thrown back together after a tragedy. A bit predictable and formulated but lovely nonetheless the less, lovely feel good vibes with a message about not leaving things too late, telling difficult truths and family values.
Lovely narration.
Currently included with audible 🎧
Lovely narration.
Currently included with audible 🎧
November 21, 2025
A solid 3 stars. Nice easy read about the complexities around sibling relationships and what you see is not always what it seems.
December 20, 2023
It was slow at the beginning but I did feel happy for the characters by the end. I didn’t feel like the book needed dual perspective. It was good but sadly not my fav Lucy Diamond.
January 20, 2020
2 stepsisters , one successful?? Misunderstandings that push them apart, then the realisation that they are individuals with strengths and weaknesses. No life is as it seems.. love, understanding and compassion.
April 5, 2017
Obviously this kind of book isn't an intellectually challenging type of story, but it was nice and well-written and I loved all the little misunderstandings that created all these tensions between Rachel and Becca and Rachel and Wendy. I loved seeing all of those little things being uncovered during the course of the book and uniting those two step-sisters. I enjoyed the beginning where Becca was desperately trying to find her step-sister, while dealing with her kids (whom she hadn't seen in forever and had no clue how to look after), while Rachel was in the hospital trying to remember things about home. There were all of these little aspects in the story that made it seem like something that could happen in real life. Less so for the love interests because those were just incredibly obvious and predictable, but still it was definitely a feel-good novel for those days where you need a little positivity in your life.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 353 reviews