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Happiness Key #1
Happiness Key
Meet four women who think they have nothing in common except the oyster-shell road that runs between their ramshackle beach cottages on a spit of land called Happiness Key.When her husband is sent to prison, pampered Tracy Deloche is left with twenty-five acres of Florida Gulf Coast sand, five tumbledown beach houses and no idea how to start over. An exile in a strange country, Janya Kapur has left her wealthy, close-knit Indian family for an arranged marriage to a man she barely knows. Plainspoken Wanda Gray is tired of watching her marriage fail, so she takes a job guaranteed to destroy it--"if" her husband cares enough to discover what she's doing. Since her daughter's death, widow Alice Brooks has grown forgetful and confused. Her son-in-law and granddaughter have come to stay, but Alice isn't sure she's grateful.
When the only other resident of Happiness Key dies alone in his cottage, the four women warily join forces to find his family. Together, they discover difficult truths about their own lives and the men they love--and uncover the treasure of an unlikely friendship.
When the only other resident of Happiness Key dies alone in his cottage, the four women warily join forces to find his family. Together, they discover difficult truths about their own lives and the men they love--and uncover the treasure of an unlikely friendship.
568 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2009
266 people are currently reading
2145 people want to read
About the author
Emilie Richards
188 books945 followersI'm the author of seventy-something novels, including romance, women's fiction and mystery. When We Were Sisters debuted in June 2016, a stand alone novel about two foster sisters traveling back into their past together. I loved writing it and love the cover my publisher chose.
I'm also excited about my recent series, Goddesses Anonymous, which started with One Mountain Away and was followed by Somewhere Between Luck and Trust. The third book in the series, A River Too Wide, came out in July 2014. The Color of Light debuted in August 2015. Will there be more? We'll see.
I'm also putting up my newly edited romance backlist and love re-reading and updating them a bit.
Last year my husband and I moved from Virginia, to Osprey, Florida, the state where both of us were raised, met, and married. In the summer we live in Chautauqua, New York. I'm a quilter, knitter, kayaker, and the mother of four children, whom I regard as my greatest creative endeavors. And now there are four wonderful grandchildren to spoil.
Visit me at my web site, emilierichards.com, and my blog, www.emilierichards.com/blog. You can also find me at Twitter and on my Facebook reader page.
I'm also excited about my recent series, Goddesses Anonymous, which started with One Mountain Away and was followed by Somewhere Between Luck and Trust. The third book in the series, A River Too Wide, came out in July 2014. The Color of Light debuted in August 2015. Will there be more? We'll see.
I'm also putting up my newly edited romance backlist and love re-reading and updating them a bit.
Last year my husband and I moved from Virginia, to Osprey, Florida, the state where both of us were raised, met, and married. In the summer we live in Chautauqua, New York. I'm a quilter, knitter, kayaker, and the mother of four children, whom I regard as my greatest creative endeavors. And now there are four wonderful grandchildren to spoil.
Visit me at my web site, emilierichards.com, and my blog, www.emilierichards.com/blog. You can also find me at Twitter and on my Facebook reader page.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 213 reviews
January 7, 2021
Emilie Richards is a favorite author of mine. Her books highlight strong women characters, relationships and mix in a bit of mystery. "Happiness Key" included these elements and proved to be a very satisfying read. Looking forward to the rest of the series and reconnecting with the women of Happiness Key.
June 30, 2011
Happiness Key begins the story of four women who could not be any more different. First, there is Tracey Deloche, a former socialite still dealing with the consequences and figurative punches that come from her now ex-husband’s con dealings that landed him in one of California’s finest jails. The main consequence: having to live in and deal with Happiness Key, twenty-five acres of Florida Gulf Coast where five cottages and its residents reside. As for the residents, there’s Janya, an India transplant dealing with her troubled past and her arranged marriage to a man she barley knows, as well as headstrong Wanda who is watching her marriage slowly fall apart, and Alice, a widow living with her son-in-law and granddaughter. At first, these women are ones who don’t get along at all, but when their fifth neighbor, Herb, is found dead and alone in his cottage, they are brought together to find his family as well as the secrets he left behind. It will not be an easy journey, especially when another destructive danger lies in their path. Will they be able to save the day? More importantly, will these they ever call a truce? Find out in this first fun and fast-paced addition in the Happiness Key trilogy.
If there’s one thing I love in a book, it’s well-developed characters, and thankfully enough Happiness Key had that and even more! When I first discovered that the story would be told through reversing third person, I was a bit wary, but even with that, these four characters (Janya, Alice, Tracy, and Wanda) were able to thrive and come alive within their passages becoming four characters I could not help but root for and adore. Best of all, this book contained not only a fabulous mystery that constantly kept me guessing, but the kind of friendships I love to read about: strong and supportive ones that allow for the characters to learn new things about themselves as well as others. Emilie’s writing was also great because of the way she constantly fleshed out the plot and storylines.
In all, if you are going to give a contemporary fiction read a try, pick up Happiness Key. It’s sure to bring a smile to your face and keep you on the edge of your chair, guessing until the very last page. And if you're lucky, it may even become a new series to read!
Grade: A+
If there’s one thing I love in a book, it’s well-developed characters, and thankfully enough Happiness Key had that and even more! When I first discovered that the story would be told through reversing third person, I was a bit wary, but even with that, these four characters (Janya, Alice, Tracy, and Wanda) were able to thrive and come alive within their passages becoming four characters I could not help but root for and adore. Best of all, this book contained not only a fabulous mystery that constantly kept me guessing, but the kind of friendships I love to read about: strong and supportive ones that allow for the characters to learn new things about themselves as well as others. Emilie’s writing was also great because of the way she constantly fleshed out the plot and storylines.
In all, if you are going to give a contemporary fiction read a try, pick up Happiness Key. It’s sure to bring a smile to your face and keep you on the edge of your chair, guessing until the very last page. And if you're lucky, it may even become a new series to read!
Grade: A+
June 21, 2010
I have read several of Emilie Richards' books, and liked most of them better than this one, chiefly because the first 100 pages or so were devoted to introducing the main characters, none of whom were very nice. There is the rich girl whose husband had cheated her parents, among others, and wound up in prison, an Indian woman in an arranged marriage and who is pining for the man she loves who is back in India, the sheriff's wife who is planning to divorce her husband, and a recently widowed woman whose son-in-law and granddaughter have moved in with her. All the rich girl has left is five cottages that her felon husband had put in her name and the three women listed above who are her tenants, and the fourth tenant who she found dead when she went to collect the rent. The death of this man and the hunt to find his daughter drew the tenants and their landlady closer together and changed them all -- for the better. If I had quit reading this book because I found the beginning dull, I would have missed a good read!
June 28, 2017
This first in the Happiness Key series is not as good as some of Richards' books (like the Goddesses Anonymous or Shenandoah Album series), but I really enjoyed it. The characters are more flawed than they would wish, but they're trying, and the friendship that develops between the women on Happiness Key is worth reading about. The setting, in Florida, is well-described, although the real place is probably even hotter, muggier, and buggier than Richards describes, so whenever the characters chose to spend time outside I wondered if one would really do that. The book is at a nice place between the light and fluffy and the heavy and depressing.
April 27, 2023
C'est très rare mais malheureusement cette lecture ne m'a pas convaincue au bout de 140 pages. Pas moyen d'entrer dans l'histoire. J'ai donc abandonné ma lecture même si j'ai lu la fin par curiosité. Mais trop de longueurs au début qui m'ont perdue. Dommage.
October 1, 2019
I really enjoyed this book and all the ladies/characters. Had twist and turns. Wanted to keep reading it!
September 15, 2011
Love Tracy Deloche, Wanda Gray, Janya Kapur, Alice Brooks, Marshall & Bay Egan and Olivia.
Emilie Richards wrote a wonderfully interwoven tale of a new owner/landlord Tracy Deloche. Taking possession of Happiness Key after her husband is jailed for all sorts of real estate related financial dealings.
Wanda Gray is married to Ken. Ken, a former Miami Dale cop, is distant following a justified fatal shooting. She takes comfort in baking pies and her job at the Jumpy Shrimp and as a senior phone sex operator.
Janya Kapur, newly emigrated from India, and newly married, is dealing with the cause for both of these rather hurried events. Getting to know her husband, her neighbors and where she fits in Florida and the US.
Finally, Alice Brooks and her son in law Ken and granddaughter Olivia. Alice falls victim to Ken and elder abuse in the wake of the boating death of her daughter Karen. Lots of stuff here.
Finally, and the link to all of them - Tracy. She has moved from California to Florida - and is dealing with the life downgrade. Pampered trophy wife to landlord/owner of substantial coastal land and the few remaining cottages on it. She soon learns to become friends with her neighbors and to lean on herself.
Emilie Richards wrote a wonderfully interwoven tale of a new owner/landlord Tracy Deloche. Taking possession of Happiness Key after her husband is jailed for all sorts of real estate related financial dealings.
Wanda Gray is married to Ken. Ken, a former Miami Dale cop, is distant following a justified fatal shooting. She takes comfort in baking pies and her job at the Jumpy Shrimp and as a senior phone sex operator.
Janya Kapur, newly emigrated from India, and newly married, is dealing with the cause for both of these rather hurried events. Getting to know her husband, her neighbors and where she fits in Florida and the US.
Finally, Alice Brooks and her son in law Ken and granddaughter Olivia. Alice falls victim to Ken and elder abuse in the wake of the boating death of her daughter Karen. Lots of stuff here.
Finally, and the link to all of them - Tracy. She has moved from California to Florida - and is dealing with the life downgrade. Pampered trophy wife to landlord/owner of substantial coastal land and the few remaining cottages on it. She soon learns to become friends with her neighbors and to lean on herself.
December 15, 2009
Although a few members of my book group felt the plot was predictable, we liked the characters and were excited to hear that Emilie Richards is writing two more books featuring the women of Happiness Key! How did we learn that? Well, I won copies of the book and a telephone author chat from ReadingGroupGuides.com for our group! It was a challenge to work the book and chat into our schedule because we plan our reading and meeting times in advance but we phoned Emilie last night and asked her a handful of questions. She asked about our group and revealed that she is a member of a book group as well! It was a thrill to chat with the author after reading her book and get answers to some of our questions about the characters and plot.
August 18, 2009
This was the most beach-worthy book I read on my vacation. Four flawed women with various life issues live in an enclave of dilapidated but charming (a realtor would call them “vintage” or “retro”) cottages on the Florida coast. They all come together while trying to locate family of an elderly man who died alone in the fifth cottage and end up solving all of their life problems. Even it was fairly obvious as to what the mysterious goings-on were, it was still an enjoyable and page-turning read. I would recommend this author to anyone who likes Debbie Macomber, Nancy Thayer, and Anne Rivers Siddons. A beach book of the highest order!
July 16, 2010
I just finished reading HAPPINESS KEY by Emilie Richards.
I would not precisely categorize the novel as romance. It is actually women's fiction with romantic elements. I enjoyed the novel very much. It took me all week to read because it is long. However, it is an exceptionally well-written and interesting book. Four women who have personal problems bond and help each other as they go about a mystery involving the death of one of the other residents of Happiness Key.
Jacqueline Seewald
author of TEA LEAVES AND TAROT CARDS, a paranormal historical novel set in the Regency era--now ready for ordering
I would not precisely categorize the novel as romance. It is actually women's fiction with romantic elements. I enjoyed the novel very much. It took me all week to read because it is long. However, it is an exceptionally well-written and interesting book. Four women who have personal problems bond and help each other as they go about a mystery involving the death of one of the other residents of Happiness Key.
Jacqueline Seewald
author of TEA LEAVES AND TAROT CARDS, a paranormal historical novel set in the Regency era--now ready for ordering
July 15, 2010
I'm a sucker for this kind of book. Just a light, easy read. I loved the characters and found how they grew to be friends interesting - you sure never would have thought that they would be! Tracy, Janya, Wanda and Alice (and little Olivia too) are good company. The mystery of their neighbor was maybe not the most riveting plot device ever, but like I said, I enjoyed it.
July 27, 2012
"I have read all Emilie Richards books and wait anxiously for her latest works! This one was surperb, especially if you live in Florida and are a woman, as you never know who will impact your life in the strangest ways! A must read! "
August 18, 2012
Found among Friends' donations and took to read on my Germany trip. As a mass market paperback, it was lightweight and perfect for hauling on the plane. Story was engaging but straightforward. Good characters and good ending.
April 5, 2010
4 women neighbors who think they have nothing in common become friends. I am glad I picked up this book. I plan to see what else this author has written.
June 30, 2019
I give this one 3 1/2 stars really because of the extremely slow start. It took me over 100 pages to really commit to this book. In fact, I stopped during that time and read another book and then got back to this one.
Once the relationships developed between the women and the story started to take off, I really enjoyed the rest of the book. At 530 pages, she really could have cut out 150 pages and tightened it up and it would have been a 4 to 5 star novel.
Things I liked include bringing in important topics such as environmental concerns and elder abuse. Showing all the children working together and the developing relationships between neighbors was a plus too. I don't think I read other books by this author, but I suspect I will. It is a good beach book, but again, you have to push through the painfully slow start.
Once the relationships developed between the women and the story started to take off, I really enjoyed the rest of the book. At 530 pages, she really could have cut out 150 pages and tightened it up and it would have been a 4 to 5 star novel.
Things I liked include bringing in important topics such as environmental concerns and elder abuse. Showing all the children working together and the developing relationships between neighbors was a plus too. I don't think I read other books by this author, but I suspect I will. It is a good beach book, but again, you have to push through the painfully slow start.
May 23, 2021
This was my first introduction to Emilie Richard's writing. A little slow to take off but once it did I was hooked. I really enjoyed her writing style, descriptive narrative, character development etc., Having lived in Florida she has a way of transporting the reader to the real deal. You could almost feel the humidity and hear the mosquitoes buzzing by. I also enjoyed the way to she wove the characters together like an artful tapestry. Great story and a very good read. Off to the next one in the series.
June 10, 2017
This is what might be termed a Beach Read but it was more complex than that conveys. A young woman, privileged and spoiled, who thought her only value lay in being someone's arm candy, had the rug pulled out from under her. She is left with an ex husband who is a criminal and a spit of land in Florida that the environmentalists won't let her develop. She has to find her place, make friends and come to grips with her values. I liked it!
March 11, 2019
Tracy Deloche Janya Kapur, Wanda Gray and Alice Brooks think they have nothing in common except the oyster shell road that runs between their beach cottages on a spit of land called Happiness Key. Then the only other resident of the key dies,alone in his cottage and the four women join forces to find his family. Together they find difficult truths about their own lives and the men that they love and uncover the treasure of an unlikely friendship. Loved this story such a great read!!!!!!
October 19, 2019
This was a sweet story of growth, change and friendship. Tracey comes to Happiness Key to sell the property and because she has nowhere else to go after her husband (ex now) ends up in jail, all assets seized. At first this story seemed a sweet story of a woman realizing her priorities have been skewed and the other women who support her in this unveiling, but then there was a mystery and some relationships to be set right so this book ended up being heartwarming and intriguing.
August 21, 2023
Emilie Richards is becoming one of my favorite authors. Initially I was wondering where the storyline was going as it seemed so very basic and the main character was a little bit of a turn off. Well that turned around quickly and I cruised through the rest of the book and I loved the way all the characters developed. Definitely a feel good read.
March 12, 2018
certainly not my usual genre
full of stereotypes
lacking depth
predictable
I pushed myself to read it to the end
[reminiscent of what I used to read during summers at camp as a teen]
not my cup of tea
full of stereotypes
lacking depth
predictable
I pushed myself to read it to the end
[reminiscent of what I used to read during summers at camp as a teen]
not my cup of tea
February 23, 2019
I really enjoy the characters and the way this story has unfolded and I'm anxious to continue to the second book. I like to read books that have people in them that I'd like to chat on the phone with our meet for a cup of coffee, and these are those people for me.
July 26, 2022
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Such a beautiful book that ties in all of my favorite themes. I will admit, this one took a little bit to get the ball rolling. As usual, I trusted Richards process and she didn’t disappoint! Once the plot really took hold, I couldn’t put it down!
Such a beautiful book that ties in all of my favorite themes. I will admit, this one took a little bit to get the ball rolling. As usual, I trusted Richards process and she didn’t disappoint! Once the plot really took hold, I couldn’t put it down!
October 13, 2022
J’ai aimé cette histoire d’amitié entre quatre femmes d’âge et d’horizons différents. Parfois, on voit venir l’intrigue un peu convenue, mais ça n’enlève rien au plaisir de la lecture. Je mets 5 étoiles car je l’ai dévoré!
May 25, 2024
Liked this! Liked how each characters story came together at the end. The “key to happiness” was a cute touch. Wish it was a little more beachy but loved the southwest Florida details and mention of Fort Myers!
March 23, 2025
Good read
Started out just a little slow. But then it really took off and I didn't want to put it down! Just enough romance, mystery, and certainly friendship to keep it interesting from beginning to end! Eager to continue the series.
Started out just a little slow. But then it really took off and I didn't want to put it down! Just enough romance, mystery, and certainly friendship to keep it interesting from beginning to end! Eager to continue the series.
May 23, 2025
It had some good parts and I really did enjoy the first half but then I struggled to stay engaged. Wanda’s job creeped me out and didn’t seem to fit into the story. It was weird. Didn’t like her character much either.
August 15, 2025
I just loved this book! I really enjoyed getting to know the characters and seeing their character development evolve. The story and how it unfolded were terrific. Can’t wait to read the next book in the trilogy!
December 26, 2016
Cute story about 4 women from very different backgrounds finding their common connections and overcoming obstacles, becoming friends.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 213 reviews