Happiness Falls by Angie Kim
Publisher: Penguin Random House
Pub Date: 8/29/2023

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Happiness Falls by Angie Kim begins with a family’s calm response to their father’s disappearance, gradually revealing their intricate dynamics and deep secrets. As the investigation unfolds and family bonds are tested, the story becomes a gripping mystery intertwined with themes of love, race, and human connection.

Happiness Falls was my August @bookofthemonthpick and it’s #OCBooksandBrunch September pick! I was really excited to dive into Happiness Falls especially since Miracle Creek had been one of my favorite reads. While I found the book to be fascinating, it didn’t capture my heart in the same way as Miracle Creek did. The seemingly simple premise turned out to be much more complex and I enjoyed the character-driven, slow-burning nature of the story. I was particularly intrigued by the author’s sensitive portrayal of nonverbal conditions and learning disabilities which was both caring and easy to grasp. The story is told through Mia, a 20-year-old, which didn’t quite work for me. I found Mia’s behavior to be somewhat juvenile for her age which distracted me from fully engaging with the story. I think I was also anticipating multiple points of view like in Miracle Creek. I thought it would have been interesting to delve into the perspectives of Mia’s mom or the deceive to add more depth into the narrative for Happiness Falls. Overall, I gave the book a solid 4 stars. If you’re a fan of family sagas or literary thrillers, I’d definitely recommend giving this one a read.