I honestly like most of Cathy Kelly books, but this is my least favorite book that she has published. The main problem is that no one feels very developed. Usually Kelly does a great job juggling multiple characters in a book, but too much was going on with anyone for you to even get settled with anyone. Also, two of the three "leads" sucked. I didn't like the characters of Bess or Jojo. Also Kelly's ultimate message that a widowed man needs to remarry (quite quickly) when he loses his wife since apparently they need a woman to take care of them just made me want to tear my hair out. Apparently women are fine after their husbands die (HUGE FREAKING EYEROLL). Also one wonders if this applies to gay men or just a man and woman? This whole book was problematic as hell.

"Secrets of a Happy Marriage" divulged very little secrets. Instead if just acted like it had these huge eye opening moments about marriages such as men need to be married after losing a wife cause they can't get by without some woman taking care of them. I don't know. I was pretty rageful while reading this book.

This book revolves around three characters. Bess, newly married to widowed Edward. Bess is so happy with Edward and doesn't get why her new stepdaughter (JoJo) hates her. It's not her fault her mother died and her father remarried less than two years after she passed. Bess proceeds to act entitled and whiny through this whole freaking book, so enjoy that. I think my last little bit of patience with her was when she literally cursed out Jojo and acted as if she was a monster that should not darken their doors again. Edward rightfully found his spine. However, these two never discuss anything and it was just frustrating to read.

Jojo is reeling from her mother's death, her father's fast second marriage, and also her suffering multiple miscarriages. She is pulling away from family and friends and can't seem to get a handle on her grief. I at times thought that Jojo was acting impossible with regards to Bess, but I get why she was so angry. I can't imagine my mom or dad getting married a year plus after the other one died and being okay with it. I was also sick of people acting like Jojo just didn't get that men need to move on after losing a spouse. It just made it seem as if her father was heartless and clueless.

Cari had the best storyline. She was jilted at the altar and since has thrown herself into work and avoiding men. After getting shafted at her job (she's an editor) she meets a new guy who seems to be everything she has wanted and avoided. Cari and her mom and dad were the best. Plus I loved her whole work storyline and how that was resolved. Kelly paints Cari as competent at her job and happy with her house though at times wanting more. If we had just stayed with her, things would have been better.

The book also includes perspectives from Edward, Edward's son (and Jojo's brother) and Bess's daughter. They honestly were not needed and took me out of the book a bit. There was no need to cram so many characters in.

The writing was not very tight in this one. I found some typos in my Kindle copy of this book and also a few times wondered if I had misread something. Seems to be an issue based on comments in other reviews I have seen.

The flow was awful too. The book drags until the end and then we spring forward to an ending. ( )

I have only recently been introduced to Cathy Kelly's books and, although they deal with some difficult subjects, they are so heart-warming and never fail to draw me into the story. It's a chunky book at just over 500 pages which resulted in my being completely invested in the Brannigan family story; I experienced laughter, anger, sadness and joy in this warm and engrossing family saga.

The common theme for me is the strong women characters. Cari is the strongest of all after being left at the altar 3 years earlier. Cari never wants to see Barney again but that could prove a bit difficult as he jilted her for her second cousin, Traci. Cari is an editor and through her story we get a wonderful glimpse into the publishing world; there's even a lovely mention about the voluntary work that bloggers do to promote books. Cari's cousin, Jojo, will never accept her father's second wife after losing her mother, Lottie, so tragically 2 years ago. Jojo has her own demons to deal with as she starts down the rocky tear-filled path of IVF. Bess is Jojo's new step-mother. She loves Jojo's Dad, Edward, but struggles with the animosity that Jojo directs towards her. Bess is planning a 70th birthday party for Edward and as all the Brannigan women come together there are sure to be fireworks and tears.

Please do not be put off by the size of this book; I could easily have read another 500 pages about the Brannigan family. I loved the quotes at the start of each chapter; some are tips for a happy marriage and others are thought-provoking, inspirational words of wisdom from, for example, the Dalai Lama, Oscar Wilde, Henry Kissinger, Galileo and my personal favourite, Gloria Steinem.

Secrets of a Happy Marriage is one of those books that reaches into your heart and gives you a virtual hug. It's a curl up on your favourite chair with a hot chocolate/cup of tea/glass of wine kind of book. Before you know it you will have whizzed through it and be left with the feeling that you were part of the Brannigan family yourself. Filled with love, laughter, tears and hope - it's a completely captivating read.

I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion. ( )