Goodreads review: 4 / 5 stars
A Happy Catastrophe is a sequel to the book Matchmaking for Beginners by Maddie Dawson. You don’t need to read the first book to read this one, but it would definitely help in understanding the characters better.
“And how many times do I have to tell you? Whatever happens, love that. Because maybe, just maybe, everything is perfect.”
My Summary:
A Happy Catastrophe follows the life of Marnie and Patrick, who have been dating for a few years. Marnie is a quirky extrovert who believes in magic, and Patrick is an introvert who doesn’t like change. They are very different but complement each other perfectly. Relationship troubles arise when Marnie begins to look into the future, something Patrick doesn’t like to think about. While they try to navigate this obstacle in their relationship, an eight-year-old girl named Fritzie comes into their lives. Marnie takes this change much better than Patrick, who chooses to withdraw into his artwork. As the foundations of their relationship begin to crack, Marnie and Patrick begin to reimagine what they want in their lives.
“Don’t overthink it, Patrick. Just take it as it comes. It’s life.”
My Review:
I liked Matchmaking for Beginners, but I loved A Happy Catastrophe! Marnie is living the life you hoped for her, and Patrick has come out of his shell, being the man Marnie always knew he could be. Their relationship was everything I expected and wanted for them.
Fritzie, the eight-year-old who pops into their lives, is such a great addition to this story. Her personality is so loveable, and the way she is drawn to Patrick and Marnie is heartwarming. The struggles she experiences, her fear of abandonment and not being loved were tough to read. What she’s been through is unbelievably upsetting, and the decision made by Patrick and Marnie at the end allows the reader to be reassured that this little girl will be well taken care of.
Although some aspects were a bit predictable, it was still a great read. I enjoyed all the characters and how they interacted with one another. That is one thing I notice about Dawson’s writing; all her characters end up impacting the main characters, in ways you don’t always expect. Each character has their purpose and importance in strengthening Marnie and Patrick. Overall, this was an effortless read, and the story keeps you interested and connected from beginning to end.
“You’re going to get everything you want. Just trust in the universe.”
Have you read any of Maddie Dawson’s books?
Turning Pages with Trish 