The Happiness Blueprint: A Novel

by Ally Zetterberg

Overview

“Smart writing, clever plotting, and an original, finely drawn, and relatable protagonist. Charming.”
—Graeme Simsion, bestselling author of The Rosie Project

“A charming and original love story full of depth and characters you'll be rooting for.”
—Sophie Cousens, New York Times bestselling author of This Time Next Year

Klara and Alex are having trouble connecting, but at least their calendars are in sync.

Klara—who’s always thought of herself as a little different, a sneaker in a world full of kitten heels and polished boots—is feeling a disconnect these days. She has type 1 diabetes, currently works in a dead-end job, and is in desperate need of a change. When her dad falls ill, Klara begrudgingly agrees to help run his small construction company while he recovers, even though it means moving back home and pushing the boundaries of her comfort zone to the extreme.

Alex has been a shell of himself since his brother died in an accident. He’s unemployed, has bills piling up, and is distant from friends and family. His therapist is encouraging him to keep things manageable by setting up a calendar, checking off tasks each day, and looking for work to help get him back on his feet. When an ad pops up for a carpenter position at a small construction company, he jumps at the chance to take a step forward.

Klara's and Alex’s stories unfold through a series of miscommunications in this clever and witty novel from debut author Ally Zetterberg that’s about finding acceptance and even love in unexpected places.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780778369714
Publisher:	MIRA Books
Publication date:	04/02/2024
Edition description:	Original
Pages:	368
Product dimensions:	5.10(w) x 8.10(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Ally Zetterberg is a British-Swedish writer. She spent ten years working internationally as a fashion model before turning to writing. Being neurodivergent herself and the mother of a child with Type 1 Diabetes, she is passionate about creating relatable characters and representing those living with medical conditions in her work. She speaks four languages and does her best not to muddle them up.

Editorial Reviews

02/19/2024

Zetterberg’s refreshing debut finds Klara Nilsson returning to Sweden from the U.K. to help run the family construction business after her father is diagnosed with stage one prostate cancer. Her first move? Immediately firing a duo of misogynistic employees. Alex Kristiansen, a skilled carpenter whose depression and panic attacks in the wake of his brother’s death in a hit and run have left him unemployed, is thrilled to see the job opening. The attraction between Klara and Alex is strong, but Klara presumes that her new employee is taken, not realizing that the ring he wears is not a marriage band but a keepsake from his late brother. Once that initial miscommunication is cleared up, things proceed splendidly—until an explosive secret pulls the budding couple apart. The author sensitively shades both characters—especially Klara, who is autistic and has diabetes—creating a poignant and unconventional romance. Zetterberg is an exciting new voice in the genre. Agent: Tanera Simons, Darley Anderson Literary. (Apr.)

Publishers Weekly

Smart writing, clever plotting, and an original, finely drawn, and relatable protagonist. Charming.”
—Graeme Simsion, bestselling author of The Rosie Project


“A charming and original love story full of depth and characters you'll be rooting for.”
—Sophie Cousens, New York Times bestselling author of This Time Next Year



“Refreshingly, Zetterberg focuses heavily on Klara and Alex’s individual growth, rather than just their relationship, making them incredibly complex, nuanced characters […] They do not fix each other; rather, they understand each other. Zetterberg handles these topics with a thoughtfulness that is desperately needed in this genre.”
—Booklist


“The author sensitively shades both characters—especially Klara, who is autistic and has diabetes—creating a poignant and unconventional romance. Zetterberg is an exciting new voice in the genre.”
—Publishers Weekly


“A truly fantastic rom-com that had me laughing out loud. You’ll want to immediately clear your calendar to read this clever and funny book! A great hook, wonderful characters, and an original plot. Five stars!”
—James Bailey, author of The Flip Side


“A rich and rewarding take on romance, relationships, family, grief and finding your place in the world. This is a funny, moving, satisfying read with characters that captivated me.”
—Jennie Godfrey, author of The List of Suspicious Things


“I enjoyed every page of this gorgeous debut. Ally Zetterberg writes with warmth, wit and insight and I was immediately swept up in the lives of her endearing characters. A fantastic read.”
—Hazel Prior, author of Away with the Penguins

“A hopeful, honest debut novel filled with individual, tender and layered characters you will grow irremediably attached to. I was rooting for Klara and Alex from page one and continued to think of them as my friends long after finishing the last chapter. The Happiness Blueprint is the best kind of romcom, one that embraces not only the search for connection, but also neuro-diversity, loneliness, grief and the complexities of life, and shows us that everybody's experience and happiness matter. I also really enjoyed the main character's firsthand expat experience and how authentic it felt. A great read—I couldn't recommend it enough!”
—Sarah Jost, author of Five First Chances


“The Happiness Blueprint is a wonderful book, full of love and hope, empathy and insight. Ally has crafted two of the most distinctive voices I have ever read. It is hard to believe this is a debut!”
—Laura Carter, author of The Kitchen


“A witty, unique and heartwarming tale of two lost souls and their bumpy journey to self-knowledge. The Happiness Blueprint leaves you full of joy—I loved it.”
—Emily Howes, author of The Painter’s Daughter

“I loved this warm, funny but unconventional love story about two people searching for their place in a world full of seemingly insurmountable challenges - and finding their place might just be with each other.”
—Claire Frost, author of Married at First Swipe


“A whip-smart, compassionate and funny book that sweeps you away yet, thankfully, doesn’t slot neatly or predictably into any single genre. Yes, there’s romance on the cards, but it’s also about family bonds, grief and the desire to belong. Reading between the lines is one of the themes of The Happiness Blueprint—as well as the difficulty of finding yourself on the same page as other people. For Klara, striving to find this sense of belonging comes with extra layers, but you’ll be rooting for her all the way."
—Jo Leevers, author of Tell Me How This Ends

From the Publisher

Narrators Heather Long and Joe Jameson delight listeners with this heartwarming contemporary romance. Klara has Type 1 diabetes and has always felt a little bit disconnected from the world. When her dad falls ill, she travels from London to Sweden to help run his small construction company. Alex has felt lost since his brother died, and he desperately needs a job to make ends meet. Their paths collide when he starts working for Klara. Long's passionate portrayal of Klara encompasses a relatable vulnerability in the challenges she faces, while Jameson's warm, inviting tone conveys Alex's persistence in overcoming his past. Listeners will be hopeful that these two find peace with themselves and discover true happiness together. J.J.M. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine

MAY 2024 - AudioFile