Author Interview: Happy & You Know It by Laura Hankin

In last week’s Review Round Up, I included Happy & You Know It and now you know why—we had Laura Hankin on Read It Or List It! She was so much fun to have on the show and we hope you’ll enjoy our interview with her. 

I found this book to be compulsively readable, full of everything you want in a good summer novel: drama, a little steam, and rich people problems. It definitely gave me the same vibes as Big Little Lies, but it didn’t read as “thriller-y” to me. I think this can fill the void if you’re missing BLL (season 3, c’mon Reese!) while also serving as a fresh commentary on motherhood and womanhood. 

My favorite character was definitely Amara and I loved all the different representations of motherhood. Plus, even though I’m not a mother, I still was able to connect with all the characters in different ways. And I have to say…I did not see the twist coming. 

Here’s what I mentioned in my Review Round Up, in case you’re looking for more information or content warnings! 

Happy & You Know It by Laura Hankin—A witty, dark, and entertaining look at what it means to be a woman. I really liked this book because while it had juicy drama and laugh out loud moments, it has a lot of heart and serves a greater purpose than just Real Housewives esque drama.

It is the story of a group of women on the Upper East Side of Manhattan who are friends thanks to a playgroup. A down on her luck musician finds herself hired as the playgroup’s personal entertainment, allowing her a glimpse into their glamorous lives. Before long, Claire finds herself intoxicated by the sparkle of their seemingly perfect lives, only to find their secrets are darker than she’d ever imagined.

TW/CW: infidelity, drug use, mention of suicide & method

And here’s my Goodreads review as well!