A Matter of Happiness: A Novel
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- Create Date：2022-11-11 11:21:37
- Update Date：2025-09-06
- Status：finish
- Author：Tori Whitaker
- ISBN：1799790207
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Summary
A cherished heirloom opens up a century of secrets in a bittersweet novel about family， hard truths， and self-discovery by the author of Millicent Glenn’s Last Wish。
Melanie Barnett thinks she has it all together。 With an ex-fiancé and a pending promotion at a Kentucky bourbon distillery， Melanie has figured out that love and career don’t mix。 Until she makes a discovery while cleaning her Jordan MX car， a scarlet-red symbol of the Jazz Age’s independent women that she inherited from her great-great-great-aunt Violet。 Its secret compartment holds Violet’s weathered journal—within it an intriguing message: Take from this story what you will， Melanie， and you can bury the rest。 Melanie wonders what more there is to learn from Violet’s past。
In 1921 Violet Bond defers to no one。 Hers is a life of adventure in Detroit， the hub of the motorcar boom and the fastest growing city in America。 But in an era of speakeasies， financial windfalls， free-spirited friends， and unexpected romance， it’s easy to spin out of control。
Now， as Melanie’s own world takes unexpected turns， her life and Violet’s life intersect。 Generations apart， they’re coming into their own and questioning what modern womanhood—and happiness—really means。
Melanie Barnett thinks she has it all together。 With an ex-fiancé and a pending promotion at a Kentucky bourbon distillery， Melanie has figured out that love and career don’t mix。 Until she makes a discovery while cleaning her Jordan MX car， a scarlet-red symbol of the Jazz Age’s independent women that she inherited from her great-great-great-aunt Violet。 Its secret compartment holds Violet’s weathered journal—within it an intriguing message: Take from this story what you will， Melanie， and you can bury the rest。 Melanie wonders what more there is to learn from Violet’s past。
In 1921 Violet Bond defers to no one。 Hers is a life of adventure in Detroit， the hub of the motorcar boom and the fastest growing city in America。 But in an era of speakeasies， financial windfalls， free-spirited friends， and unexpected romance， it’s easy to spin out of control。
Now， as Melanie’s own world takes unexpected turns， her life and Violet’s life intersect。 Generations apart， they’re coming into their own and questioning what modern womanhood—and happiness—really means。
Reviews
Marlene
，
Melanie Barnett and her ‘Great Aunt Grape’ were simpatico in a way that Melanie and her judgmental， disapproving and disappointed mother were not。 So it wasn’t at all surprising that the late and much lamented Violet Bond left her classic 1923 Jordan Playboy car to Melanie when she died。What is surprising is the treasure trove of her personal papers and memories that Violet hid inside the car – just waiting for Melanie to check all the compartments and bring them to light。As this story opens， Me Melanie Barnett and her ‘Great Aunt Grape’ were simpatico in a way that Melanie and her judgmental， disapproving and disappointed mother were not。 So it wasn’t at all surprising that the late and much lamented Violet Bond left her classic 1923 Jordan Playboy car to Melanie when she died。What is surprising is the treasure trove of her personal papers and memories that Violet hid inside the car – just waiting for Melanie to check all the compartments and bring them to light。As this story opens， Melanie is finally claiming that legacy， wishing that she had taken a look a whole lot earlier。 But the time is now， and Melanie discovers the whole truth of Violet’s story just in time to help her decide the path she should take for her own。In spite of her mother’s constant needling that Melanie’s choices are all the wrong ones。 Inspired by Violet’s story， Melanie takes a good hard look at what she’s doing and where she’s going， and figures out that when it comes to the matter of her happiness the choices will have to be her own。Just as Violet’s did。 No matter what anyone else might think。Escape Rating B+: I picked up A Matter of Happiness because I loved the author’s first book， Millicent Glenn’s Last Wish。 I liked A Matter of Happiness quite a bit， but it didn’t quite match up to the first book， although I think that the nostalgia of its Cincinnati setting pulled a bit more at my personal heartstrings than this one did。 But I think that’s a ‘me’ thing and not a commentary on either book。 A Matter of Happiness was definitely worth the read。Like Millicent Glenn’s story， this one also exists in two time frames – but it is also told by two rather different people。 Melanie’s story is set in pre-COVID 2018 （I have a feeling that authors are going to avoid the COVID years a LOT because they were just SO WEIRD）。 Melanie is at a bit of a crossroads in her life。 The man she thought she’d marry thought that she would be happy to give up her career for his big promotion。 But that promotion was taking him to Silicon Valley， and her career is in the Kentucky bourbon industry， which necessitates that she live， unsurprisingly， in her home state of Kentucky。And now she’s sworn off men， devoting herself to her career， pursuing a promotion to management at the company she’s been working at for several years。 She hopes that if she reaches a management position that her striving， seeking， disapproving mother will finally be proud of her。But she’s found her great-aunt’s diary in the hidden compartments of that old car。 A diary of Violet Bond in the 1920s， in her 20s， at a crossroads in her own life。 Going off to Detroit to get a job in the burgeoning automobile industry， living on her own by her own wits and on her own wages， pursuing a career and swearing off men – albeit for different reasons than Melanie。Melanie sees a bit of her own journey in her beloved great-aunt’s story。 And we see a bit of our own in both of theirs。 And in reading about the choices and the sacrifices that her aunt made in order to live the life she wanted， Melanie finds her own way forward。Along with a secret that changes her perspective on how both she – and her mother – see their past and their places in a family they thought they knew。Originally published at Reading Reality 。。。more
Sue
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This beautifully written novel looks at women and how they are viewed by the world and how they view themselves。 It's told in two timelines in the 1920s and modern day。 A lot of the time I enjoy one time period more than the other in dual time line stories。 In A Matter of Happiness， I enjoyed both time lines and really enjoyed reading about the growth of the woman who was telling her story。1920s - Violet decides to leave her home in Kentucky and move to Detroit to work and learn more about life。 This beautifully written novel looks at women and how they are viewed by the world and how they view themselves。 It's told in two timelines in the 1920s and modern day。 A lot of the time I enjoy one time period more than the other in dual time line stories。 In A Matter of Happiness， I enjoyed both time lines and really enjoyed reading about the growth of the woman who was telling her story。1920s - Violet decides to leave her home in Kentucky and move to Detroit to work and learn more about life。 She gets a job， moves into a boarding house and begins to make friends。 Her best friend Lela is very rich and soon Violet and Lela are spending their off hours at speakeasies and having lots of fun。 Violet starts dating Robert and that relationship leads her to a major decision in her life -- is she willing to marry if it means giving up her new found freedom as woman？2018- Melanie is part of the public relations department at a bourbon distillery in Louisville Ky。 She has just broken her engagement because her boyfriend wanted her to give up her job and move so that he could get a better job。 She loves her job and is putting in lots of extra hours on a new brand of bourbon and trying very head to get a much sought after promotion。 Violet was her great aunt and as she was investigating the car that Violet left for her （ a scarlet-red Jordan MX Playboy） she finds Violet's journal hidden in the trunk。 As she reads more about Violet's quest to be an independent woman， she realizes that Violet is also sharing what she learned in her life and during her adventure in Detroit。 In many ways。 Violet and Melanie had some of the same challenges in their lives in their quest to learn what it really means to be a woman。This intriguing dual time line novel is about family and love， adventure and fulfillment but most of all it's about learning to be an independent woman while making sure you remember what's the most important part of life -- happiness。 。。。more
Nancy Willard
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A Matter of Happiness， by Tori Whitaker， Late 20 something Melanie has recently inherited her “Grape” Aunt Violet’s 1921 Jordan MX car…。and the journal that has been hidden in the cars secret compartment for years。 Hence， begins the story written with a dual timeline， a literary device Tori Whitaker does so well （ie Millicent Glenn’s Last Wish）。 There are so many similarities in the lives of the 1920s Violet and the 2018 Melanie， that I found myself frequently forgetting whose story I was readin A Matter of Happiness， by Tori Whitaker， Late 20 something Melanie has recently inherited her “Grape” Aunt Violet’s 1921 Jordan MX car…。and the journal that has been hidden in the cars secret compartment for years。 Hence， begins the story written with a dual timeline， a literary device Tori Whitaker does so well （ie Millicent Glenn’s Last Wish）。 There are so many similarities in the lives of the 1920s Violet and the 2018 Melanie， that I found myself frequently forgetting whose story I was reading。 The descriptions of the Jazz Age clothes， cars and entertainment venues were delightful。 Violet’s struggle to maintain her independence encountered many of the same roadblocks as Melanie’s did， considering the intervening decades。 I had no knowledge of the Bourbon industry before reading this book， but enjoyed learning something new ， as Melanie worked in promotions for a Bourbon Distillery。 Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity for an early read of this book in exchange for an honest review。#AMatterofHappiness #NetGalley 。。。more
Bookish Heidi
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I love a dual timeline and boy did this gem deliver！ The descriptions of the roaring 20's were amazing！ I love Tori's writing and I'll definitely be rereading this again and again。 Two women from very different time periods， an inherited car， and a secret journal- Melanie discovers some family secrets through her great-great-great aunts journal and the tale is one I won't spoil。 Such a great read！ I love a dual timeline and boy did this gem deliver！ The descriptions of the roaring 20's were amazing！ I love Tori's writing and I'll definitely be rereading this again and again。 Two women from very different time periods， an inherited car， and a secret journal- Melanie discovers some family secrets through her great-great-great aunts journal and the tale is one I won't spoil。 Such a great read！ 。。。more
Sarah
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I loved the dual timeline and how they paralleled each other a little bit。 Melanie connected with her Aunt when she was young and now she is going through some similar situations as she reads Violets journal。 I think I liked the historical （Violets） POV a little more。 I loved getting submersed into the roaring 20s。 It was so fun watching Violet work towards her dreams。 It was emotional at times and the switch between POV happened at key moments and kept me reading。 If you enjoy strong female rea I loved the dual timeline and how they paralleled each other a little bit。 Melanie connected with her Aunt when she was young and now she is going through some similar situations as she reads Violets journal。 I think I liked the historical （Violets） POV a little more。 I loved getting submersed into the roaring 20s。 It was so fun watching Violet work towards her dreams。 It was emotional at times and the switch between POV happened at key moments and kept me reading。 If you enjoy strong female read you will enjoy this。Thank you @tori。whitaker。37 and @suzyapprovedbooktours for the gifted copy。 。。。more
Annarella
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A good historical novel featuring great characters， a vivid historical backgrounds， and dealing with questions like what being a modern woman is。Violet and Melanie are great characters， loved them and rooted for them。This is the first book I read by this author and won't surely be the last。Recommended。Many thanks to the publisher for this arc， all opinions are mine A good historical novel featuring great characters， a vivid historical backgrounds， and dealing with questions like what being a modern woman is。Violet and Melanie are great characters， loved them and rooted for them。This is the first book I read by this author and won't surely be the last。Recommended。Many thanks to the publisher for this arc， all opinions are mine 。。。more
Karen Trosterud
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I adored this story and these characters！ Loved the dual time line！ Highly highly recommend
Janilyn Kocher
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It was a Matter of Happiness to dive into this book。 I liked the split time line between 2018 and the early 1920s。 Violet is a happening woman of the Roaring 20s who wants an independent life in Detroit。 She finds a beau， jobs， and a beautiful car。 Her great great niece， Melanie， is involved in the bourbon trade and models her life after her mentor relative。I loved the 1920s story line the best。 It was exciting and invigorating to read about Violet’s experiences and her mistakes。It’s a sweet， co It was a Matter of Happiness to dive into this book。 I liked the split time line between 2018 and the early 1920s。 Violet is a happening woman of the Roaring 20s who wants an independent life in Detroit。 She finds a beau， jobs， and a beautiful car。 Her great great niece， Melanie， is involved in the bourbon trade and models her life after her mentor relative。I loved the 1920s story line the best。 It was exciting and invigorating to read about Violet’s experiences and her mistakes。It’s a sweet， compelling read。 Thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing for the advance copy。 。。。more
Reeca Elliott
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Melanie’s Aunt Violet has passed away and left her an old car， a Jordan。 Inside this Jordan， Melanie finds Aunt Violet’s journal。 This old car and this journal have a story to tell。The novel is told in two different time periods， present day and the Jazz Age。 It covers the speakeasies and the bourbon of today。 Then there is Aunt Violet and her secret past。 And Melanie and her worries of her job and her life。 I absolutely loved these two characters， especially Aunt Violet。 She really was a woman Melanie’s Aunt Violet has passed away and left her an old car， a Jordan。 Inside this Jordan， Melanie finds Aunt Violet’s journal。 This old car and this journal have a story to tell。The novel is told in two different time periods， present day and the Jazz Age。 It covers the speakeasies and the bourbon of today。 Then there is Aunt Violet and her secret past。 And Melanie and her worries of her job and her life。 I absolutely loved these two characters， especially Aunt Violet。 She really was a woman ahead of her time。I really enjoyed this author’s first book Millicent Glenn’s Last Wish。 You can see my review here。 So， I jumped at the chance to read this one。 And it is super！ I loved everything about it！ The time period， the characters， and the setting。 It even had me googling the Jordan car。 I can just picture Aunt Violet sporting around in it。Need just an all around great book…THIS IS IT！ Grab your copy today！I received this novel from the author for a honest review。 。。。more
Cindy Roesel
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A MATTER OF HAPPINESS （LakeUnionPublishing） includes one of of my favorite eras， the 1920s。 It's a dual timeline of 1920s Detroit and 2018 Kentucky。Melanie doesn't believe love and career can mix。 She's inherited her great-great-great aunt Violet's Kentucky bourbon distillery。 Melanie discovers a journal her aunt left and must find out what the story within means。 It's the 1920s， Aunt Violet loves to party in Detroit。 Life is made up fast cars， parties and wild friends， but after a while， everyt A MATTER OF HAPPINESS （LakeUnionPublishing） includes one of of my favorite eras， the 1920s。 It's a dual timeline of 1920s Detroit and 2018 Kentucky。Melanie doesn't believe love and career can mix。 She's inherited her great-great-great aunt Violet's Kentucky bourbon distillery。 Melanie discovers a journal her aunt left and must find out what the story within means。 It's the 1920s， Aunt Violet loves to party in Detroit。 Life is made up fast cars， parties and wild friends， but after a while， everything gets out of control，Tori Whitaker's novel A MATTER OF HAPPINESS is a story of two women becoming modern women in the midst of secrets and sacrifice。 In the center of it all？ A 1923 Jordan sports cars called the "Playboy。"A wonderful read full of fabulous characters。 。。。more
Susan • BryantParkBooks
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I loved A Matter of Happiness by @tori。Whitaker。37！ Told between two timelines and two different generations of the same family， the book features strong independent characters that do things on their own terms。We meet Melanie in 2018， dealing with work demands and her Great Aunt Violet’s estate after she passes away。 Violet had left Melanie her 1923 Jordan Playboy car， but it’s so much more than just a car。 Melanie finds Violet’s diary and reveals so much about her life。 She is an inspiration t I loved A Matter of Happiness by @tori。Whitaker。37！ Told between two timelines and two different generations of the same family， the book features strong independent characters that do things on their own terms。We meet Melanie in 2018， dealing with work demands and her Great Aunt Violet’s estate after she passes away。 Violet had left Melanie her 1923 Jordan Playboy car， but it’s so much more than just a car。 Melanie finds Violet’s diary and reveals so much about her life。 She is an inspiration to Melanie and while researching about the car， she meets Brian。 She hasn’t dated since calling off her engagement， but maybe Brian is just who she needs right now。 The other timeline is the early 1920s following Violet。 She gets laid off during Prohibition and movies to Detroit to work with cars。 She moves into a boarding house and meets Robert， who she met previously when he was on a business trip。 Violet doesn’t want to get married， but she can’t help being drawn to Robert。 But she loved her independence and her new found freedom after moving away from her family。 I absolutely loved this novel！ The Prohibition years have always fascinated me and I really loved Violet。 She learned more about herself and her own independence when she moved away from her support system。 I’ve always been a big believer in putting yourself outside your comfort zone to help expand your character。 Violet is a true inspiration to all！ I like Melanie’s story too; having to heal after her broken engagement。 I also loved her workplace stories of competing with Mitchell at their bourbon company。 🥃 Thank you so much to @suzyapprovedbooktours， @lakeunionpublishing， and the author for my gifted copy。 A Matter of Happiness is on sale tomorrow！ 。。。more
Debbie Rozier
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This book is fabulous！！ It has a dual timeline of the early 1920s and 2018。 There are two narrators: Violet from the 1920s and Violet’s great great great niece， Melanie in 2018。This book discusses the complexities of being a “modern” woman in both timelines and how life like a road trip doesn’t usually have a direct route。The read also richly details Prohibition era Detroit， a behind the scenes look at part of the Kentucky Whisky Trail， antique car restoration， and all things bourbon which I all This book is fabulous！！ It has a dual timeline of the early 1920s and 2018。 There are two narrators: Violet from the 1920s and Violet’s great great great niece， Melanie in 2018。This book discusses the complexities of being a “modern” woman in both timelines and how life like a road trip doesn’t usually have a direct route。The read also richly details Prohibition era Detroit， a behind the scenes look at part of the Kentucky Whisky Trail， antique car restoration， and all things bourbon which I all absolutely adored。 A 1923 Jordan Playboy roadster ties the storyline together which I felt made the read unique。Finally， the themes of family， friendship， and finding love are important in both timelines。There is a nice little twist at the end that makes this book a beautiful combination of historical and women’s fiction。 。。。more
Lisa Albright
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Tori Whitaker's writing is so evocative and lyrical that you can't help but be drawn into the story。 The dual timeline works so well for this book and I loved the parallels between the two main character's lives。 The 1920's is such an interesting era and one I haven't read much about so I appreciated the well-researched learning experience about that time in history。 A beautiful story masterfully written that emphasizes the strength of family bonds。I received a gifted copy in exchange for an hon Tori Whitaker's writing is so evocative and lyrical that you can't help but be drawn into the story。 The dual timeline works so well for this book and I loved the parallels between the two main character's lives。 The 1920's is such an interesting era and one I haven't read much about so I appreciated the well-researched learning experience about that time in history。 A beautiful story masterfully written that emphasizes the strength of family bonds。I received a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review。 。。。more
Kari
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What an amazing experience to be reading another book by the Author after her debut， MILLICENT’S LAST WISH。 She is an Author that writes while painting an exquisite picture of both the present time and time of the past; in the 1920s。 Told in alternating chapters by generational viewpoints of two family members that share a family bond。 Violet Bond is Melanie Barnett’s great， great， great Aunt。 Melanie has fond memories of the time they shared together。 When Violet passed on she left an inheritan What an amazing experience to be reading another book by the Author after her debut， MILLICENT’S LAST WISH。 She is an Author that writes while painting an exquisite picture of both the present time and time of the past; in the 1920s。 Told in alternating chapters by generational viewpoints of two family members that share a family bond。 Violet Bond is Melanie Barnett’s great， great， great Aunt。 Melanie has fond memories of the time they shared together。 When Violet passed on she left an inheritance that included a very special gift for Melanie alone。 In it， Melanie finds items that include a journal with Violet's own words and thoughts about the life she was living。 The similarities that Melanie finds in job aspirations， independence and relationships are so close to her own。 She realizes how much more there was to her Aunt than she ever knew。 Violet left a message in the things she gifted Melanie; not only of love but to learn from the mistakes of her past。This a historical piece that is so well researched and written， that you are taken to the very places that are spoken of。 You will live to witness prohibition and practically party with the flappers of the 20s and be as mesmerized as I was。 This is a book worth reading and rereading。 I recommend it to anyone who likes to live and travel through books。 。。。more
Miss W Book Reviews
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After reading Tori Whitaker's debut novel Millicent Glenn's Last Wish and absolutely LOVING it， I was SO excited to read her newest novel， A Matter of Happiness。 This historical fiction has two timelines one set in 1920's in Detroit， and the other is current day Kentucky。 We meet Melanie in today's timeline working at a bourbon distillery。 Her Aunt Violet tells her the history part of the story that took place in Detroit。 I loved reading about the descriptions of the automotive industry happenin After reading Tori Whitaker's debut novel Millicent Glenn's Last Wish and absolutely LOVING it， I was SO excited to read her newest novel， A Matter of Happiness。 This historical fiction has two timelines one set in 1920's in Detroit， and the other is current day Kentucky。 We meet Melanie in today's timeline working at a bourbon distillery。 Her Aunt Violet tells her the history part of the story that took place in Detroit。 I loved reading about the descriptions of the automotive industry happening during the 1920's。 Equally as entertaining was the bourbon distillery。 The author's research was very well evident to this reader。 This was such a fantastic historical fiction which was really interesting。 The characters were complex， interesting， and well fleshed out。 I really enjoyed this book。 If you're a fan of historical fiction， I highly recommend this fantastic novel！ 。。。more
Cassie’s Reviews
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It’s 2018 and Melanie is at a crossroad， she’s working at a bourbon distillery she would love to earn a promotion， her engagement has ended and she’s called off love。 During her childhood she spent many summers with her Aunt Violet。 Her Aunt Violet has left Melanie a scarlet-red Jordan MX Playboy it was Violets first car。 Melanie’s mother has asked her to please come and get the car。 While inspecting the car she uncovers a journal that once belonged to Violet and Inside the journal it says “Take It’s 2018 and Melanie is at a crossroad， she’s working at a bourbon distillery she would love to earn a promotion， her engagement has ended and she’s called off love。 During her childhood she spent many summers with her Aunt Violet。 Her Aunt Violet has left Melanie a scarlet-red Jordan MX Playboy it was Violets first car。 Melanie’s mother has asked her to please come and get the car。 While inspecting the car she uncovers a journal that once belonged to Violet and Inside the journal it says “Take from this story what you will， Melanie， and you can bury the rest。”It’s 1921 and Violet dreams of becoming her own woman and make money， she leaves Kentucky behind and heads to Detroit。 Violet becomes friends with Lela a socialite。 Together they visit speakeasies and Violet cuts her hair and invests her money with the Lela’s encouragement。 The 1920’s is filled with many changes giving a woman a chance to vote and be themselves。 The dual timeline shows Violet trying to figure herself and making mistakes along the line。 Soon Melanie realizes that this is more than a journal it’s a peek into her Aunts past life and Violet wants Melanie to live her life and learn from the mistakes she made。 I loved this book the dual timeline added so much to the story！ 。。。more
Erin
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From reading the synopsis of A Matter of Happiness， i was immediately drawn in by Kentucky Bourbon and dual timeline historical fiction。 I absolutely loved this book！ Melanie is working hard for a promotion at the bourbon distillery and has just found out that love and a career don't mix。 She finds a journal hidden in her great-great-great aunts Jordan MX sportscar from the 1920s。Violet bought the car when she was working in Detroit in the car boom during Prohibition， as Melanie starts to read t From reading the synopsis of A Matter of Happiness， i was immediately drawn in by Kentucky Bourbon and dual timeline historical fiction。 I absolutely loved this book！ Melanie is working hard for a promotion at the bourbon distillery and has just found out that love and a career don't mix。 She finds a journal hidden in her great-great-great aunts Jordan MX sportscar from the 1920s。Violet bought the car when she was working in Detroit in the car boom during Prohibition， as Melanie starts to read the journal， she realizes she may be more similar to her Aunt Violet than she expected。 First， I loved the comparison to the car boom in 1920s Detroit to the current bourbon expansion and the role of women in both。 The 1920s Detroit setting was well written， and in the present day， it gave me a few recommendations for restaurants to try in Louisville。 I liked the strong character in both Melanie and Violet。 They questioned modern womanhood in their time and what happiness really means。 I also enjoyed seeing Melanie's relationship with her mom too。 Definitely recommend reading this one！ 。。。more
Linda Burrell
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Two women。。almost 100 years apart。。striving to be independent。Set in Kentucky and Detroit 1923， Violet deals with Prohibition in bourbon country。 She wants to be an independent woman but what does that really mean and at what cost？In 2018 Kentucky， her great great great niece Melanie also struggles with independence as she navigates a man's world。 She inherits her aunts car and journal and so begins her awareness of what happiness can mean。Really enjoyed the voices of these two women and they de Two women。。almost 100 years apart。。striving to be independent。Set in Kentucky and Detroit 1923， Violet deals with Prohibition in bourbon country。 She wants to be an independent woman but what does that really mean and at what cost？In 2018 Kentucky， her great great great niece Melanie also struggles with independence as she navigates a man's world。 She inherits her aunts car and journal and so begins her awareness of what happiness can mean。Really enjoyed the voices of these two women and they deal with life on their own terms。 I particularly liked the glimpse in 1923 during Prohibition and flapper era！Thank you to netgalley for the ARC！ 。。。more
Dawne Mccurry
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Oh my what a lovely lovely story。 I loved the strong women in this book from Melanie in 2018 all the way back to her Grape Aunt Violet in the 1920s。 A beautiful story of knowing what you want in life and sticking to it no matter the times or what other people tell you that you “should” be doing。 Tori Whitaker has written another amazing book that will stay with me for a long time！
Linda Zagon
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Tori Whitaker， the author of “A Matter of Happiness，” has written an intriguing and captivating adventure。 The genres for this book are Historical Fiction， Women’s Fiction， and Romance with a touch of Mystery。 Tori Whitaker writes a novel about two different “modern women” from different generations and compares and contrasts what a relative conclusion is。 The timelines for this story are set in the early 1920s in Detroit and 2018 in Kentucky。 The author visually describes the colorful and drama Tori Whitaker， the author of “A Matter of Happiness，” has written an intriguing and captivating adventure。 The genres for this book are Historical Fiction， Women’s Fiction， and Romance with a touch of Mystery。 Tori Whitaker writes a novel about two different “modern women” from different generations and compares and contrasts what a relative conclusion is。 The timelines for this story are set in the early 1920s in Detroit and 2018 in Kentucky。 The author visually describes the colorful and dramatic characters， the clothing and accessories of the times， the scenery， and the plot。 The author describes her characters as complex， complicated， and conflicted。At present， Melanie Barnett has a successful career at a Kentucky Bourbon Distillery。 Melanie is focused on promotion in her career。 Melanie had broken up with her fiancé when his career and location conflicted with her goals。 Melanie is not quite sure that business and love can be compatible。Violet Bond， in 1921， liked to be a free spirit。 Detroit provides a setting for fast and glamorous cars。 There are speakeasies and partying。 As prohibition occurs， there is danger in the streets and the water。 Violet meets her best friend， introducing her to investing money， driving fast cars， modern hairstyles， and flashy clothing。 Violet is determined to be single and free。 Although she does fall in love， she questions if she is ready to settle down。 Violet writes about her life in a journal。Violet is Melanie’s aunt， and Melanie inherits her fabulous car。 Melanie discovers her aunt’s diary in a hidden compartment。 Her aunt has written her a message” Take from this story what you want， Melanie， and you can bury the rest。”I appreciate the author’s descriptions of luxury cars， the bourbon industry， and the connection to art and advertising。 The author also discusses the importance of family， friends， hope， and love。 The author also asks the question， “What Makes One Happy”？This is a story about secrets， self-growth， sisterhood， motherhood， independence， and being successful。 I highly recommend this thought-provoking story。 。。。more
Julia Richardson
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Melanie and Violet share much more than their desire to be independent。 As Melanie reads Grape Aunt Violet’s journal， she learns all about Violet’s journey during a time when women were not expected to have independence。 This was a touching story that revealed a big secret that Melanie had never dreamed。
Julie
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I am a sucker for dual timelines and this one set in the 1920s in Detroit and then the late 2010s in Kentucky was right up my alley。
Charlotte Lynn
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This book… I could not stop reading。 Violet and Melanie are both characters that want to make their mark on the world without having to follow the traditional boundaries that are put on women during the times they were living。 A Matter of Happiness is a book that tells of two women， a grape aunt and her great niece， who’s lives intersect while living in different times。 When Violet passes away， she leaves Melanie her prize possession， her Jordan MX car。 This car holds the secrets of Violet’s lif This book… I could not stop reading。 Violet and Melanie are both characters that want to make their mark on the world without having to follow the traditional boundaries that are put on women during the times they were living。 A Matter of Happiness is a book that tells of two women， a grape aunt and her great niece， who’s lives intersect while living in different times。 When Violet passes away， she leaves Melanie her prize possession， her Jordan MX car。 This car holds the secrets of Violet’s life via a journal。 As Melanie reads the journal， she sees the parallels of her aunt’s life and her own。 She sees how the decisions that Violet made are in line with the decisions that Melanie is trying to make in her life and how those decisions can shape her future。 I cannot choose whose storyline I liked better。 I was so intrigued by both that I never wanted to stop reading。 I love reading about Violet and her life in Detroit during prohibition。 The friends she made， the relationships she had， and the choices she made did not always line up with society’s expectations， but she made the choices that would head her towards the goals she had set。 Melanie made choices that would push her forward in her career， a promotion she was fighting for。 As she read the journal she realized that maybe the life she was working for was not the life she really wanted。 I recommend A Matter of Happiness to any historical fiction reader。 。。。more
Kathleen Gray
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Bourbon！ This dual time line novel moves between the 1920s and the present to tell the story， primarily， of Violet and her great grandniece Melanie。 Violet， who left Kentucky for Detroit in the 1920s， left Melanie her beautiful car when she died but Melanie was only 14 at time so it was stored。 Now， though。 Melanie's taken it out （she had to） and she's discovered Violet's diary which is a revelation。 Violet lived large in Detroit so why did she come back to Kentucky？ No spoilers from me。 Thanks Bourbon！ This dual time line novel moves between the 1920s and the present to tell the story， primarily， of Violet and her great grandniece Melanie。 Violet， who left Kentucky for Detroit in the 1920s， left Melanie her beautiful car when she died but Melanie was only 14 at time so it was stored。 Now， though。 Melanie's taken it out （she had to） and she's discovered Violet's diary which is a revelation。 Violet lived large in Detroit so why did she come back to Kentucky？ No spoilers from me。 Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC。 A good read about bourbon， the 1920s， and two women with more in common than either could have known。 。。。more
Laura
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I have never read any books by Tori Whitaker before but I will definitely be looking into more books that she has written。 Written with a dual timeline， A Matter of Happiness follows Melanie in 2018 and her great aunt Violet in 1921。Melanie is left a diary after her Aunts death and she learns about a part of her life she has never known about。 Following her aunt who leaves Kentucky to go to the boom town of Detroit of the 1920s， we see her discover who she is through friendship and love all set I have never read any books by Tori Whitaker before but I will definitely be looking into more books that she has written。 Written with a dual timeline， A Matter of Happiness follows Melanie in 2018 and her great aunt Violet in 1921。Melanie is left a diary after her Aunts death and she learns about a part of her life she has never known about。 Following her aunt who leaves Kentucky to go to the boom town of Detroit of the 1920s， we see her discover who she is through friendship and love all set during the prohibition era。 A great story and I think anyone who loves historical fiction will enjoy this book。 Thank you to the author， publisher and Netgalley for this ARC。 。。。more
Di
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This is a story with 2 timelines。 The first is in the 1920s， starring Violet。 The second one takes place in 2018， starring Melanie。 Violet is Melanie's great great aunt who has passed away before the book even started。 The two of them had been very close when Melanie was a young girl。In the two timelines， Violet and Melanie are both strong women who are determined to make their way in the world。 Neither one wants the support of a man， both want to be dependent only on themselves。 Violet has a to This is a story with 2 timelines。 The first is in the 1920s， starring Violet。 The second one takes place in 2018， starring Melanie。 Violet is Melanie's great great aunt who has passed away before the book even started。 The two of them had been very close when Melanie was a young girl。In the two timelines， Violet and Melanie are both strong women who are determined to make their way in the world。 Neither one wants the support of a man， both want to be dependent only on themselves。 Violet has a tougher time because she's living her life at a time when a woman's place was in the home with a husband and children。 But， they each have challenges。 And， they each make choices。 As usually happens， choices have consequences。 This book was an interesting study of human character。 Strong women make choices but， something gets sacrificed after the choices are made。 Sometimes what you think you want， really does not make you happy。 The author did a lot of research to fine tune this story。 The 1920s storyline had details of the Jazz Era， dances popular at the time， segregation， prohibition and lifestyle。 The current story had a lot of facts about the bourbon industry and alcohol production， in contrast to Prohibition。 In my mind， there is always room to learn something。 The storyline that took place in the past was much more engaging。 I would have been satisfied to stay in that storyline with more embellishments。 The middle part of the book slowed a bit but then picked up considerably at the end。 It was a satisfying and interesting read。 Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an Advance Readers Copy。 。。。more
Leslie Zemeckis
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Takes place currently and during the 1920s - a young woman inherits her great aunt’s 1920s car with a journal hidden inside - the car a symbol of freedom for the aunt reveals some family secrets - very good book。
April Whitaker
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I was excited to read Tori Whitaker’s sophomore novel and it did not disappoint。 Not only does this story nail a dual timeline， but it is packed with historical and locational descriptions that bring both character’s experiences alive and vibrant in a reader’s imagination。 I thoroughly enjoyed all aspects of this novel。
Stacy40pages
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A Matter of Happiness by Tori Whitaker。 Thanks to @getredprbooks for the gifted Arc ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️When Melanie finds her deceased grandmother’s secret compartment in her beloved car， she finds her diary。 It takes her back to Violet’s life in 1920’s Detroit。 This seemed like such a true to life historical fiction。 It was about a time period and place I have not really read much about。 I enjoyed the look at Detroit during the auto boom。 My favorite parts of the book were about the industry boom，As well A Matter of Happiness by Tori Whitaker。 Thanks to @getredprbooks for the gifted Arc ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️When Melanie finds her deceased grandmother’s secret compartment in her beloved car， she finds her diary。 It takes her back to Violet’s life in 1920’s Detroit。 This seemed like such a true to life historical fiction。 It was about a time period and place I have not really read much about。 I enjoyed the look at Detroit during the auto boom。 My favorite parts of the book were about the industry boom，As well as the lifestyle。 There were some slow moments but I felt that made it more true to life; every moment can’t be exciting！ Overall a well-researched historical fiction with a touch of coming of age and romance。 “And this， I decided， was that homesickness was。 Id never had the disease before。 Thank goodness diseases could be cured。”A Matter of Happiness comes out 11/8。 。。。more
Christine M in Texas
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