
A Matter of Happiness
A Novel
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Narrated by:
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Kimberley Wong
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Megan Tusing
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By:
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Tori Whitaker
About this listen
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.
©2022 Tori Whitaker (P)2022 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reservedListeners also enjoyed...
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Critic reviews
“This witty and engaging story is about Melanie, an up-and-coming executive in the whiskey business in Louisville, Kentucky, and her ‘Grape Aunt Violet.’…The plot flows easily, and the characters, both modern and in the 1920s, are interesting people.”—Historical Novels Review
“This novel provides glimpses into the growing automobile industry in 1920s Detroit, where Violet lives. We also get to see the growth of the boutique spirits world in twenty-first-century Kentucky as Melanie tries to make a name for herself. Ultimately, A Matter of Happiness is a story about listening to and trusting yourself, while surrounded by family, friends, love and loss. [A]n entertaining historical fiction read.”—BookTrib
“A thrill of a ride and a beautiful read. Violet and Melanie are connected across generations by blood, bourbon, cars, and a great need for independence. Tori Whitaker unfolds the narrative with a deep sense of history imbuing every sensational page, weaving the women’s stories until the inspiring conclusion. This is a compelling story of women who understand that we can choose our happiness and we can choose our lives. Whitaker crafts a riveting read about strength, fate, and choice that you will not want to put down until the very last page.”—Patti Callahan Henry, New York Times bestselling author of Surviving Savannah
What listeners say about A Matter of Happiness
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- julia
- 02-20-25
Great story!
Wonderful look into the roaring ‘20’s through a woman’s eyes. Interesting connection to the world of bourbon and a special car that confects the past to the present.
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- Anonymous User
- 02-16-24
Violet was fun.
I don’t usually read books like this and found Melanie trifling. Took awhile to get going. The ending of Violets storyline was good, but Melanie’s predictable.
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- Carol J. Buffaloe
- 11-23-22
Love this book!!!
Please give it a listen!! It is funny, sentimental and just a great book!! I want a sequel!!! PLEAZZZZ!!!
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- Beatrice Followill
- 02-01-23
Great story
I enjoyed Violet and Melanie's story. A found journal in a vintage car leads to the life of a modern day woman in the twenties, her Great granddaughter whom inherited the car has her own modern dat story to tell in the 2000 . Bourbon and history are woven throughout the story of both woman. Really enjoyable read .If listen on audio both narration are unique to the woman whom TBE story is told by .
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- Pamela in Oregon
- 01-15-24
Interesting novel.
Enjoyed the prospective of both women. Story was wrapped up nicely. Life is so interesting.
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- Jackie Barney
- 06-23-23
Loved the story of bourbon
Loved this story of bourbon in Kentucky with Melanie and prohibition days with Violet . I have been to several distilleries including Woodford Reserve
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- Monica
- 06-16-23
Five stars
This is a delightful story. It is well written and the subject matter is very interesting. The characters are believable and the narration was great.
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- BRP
- 01-17-24
Couldn’t get past the accent
Violet’s accent is not southern. It’s what people think southerners sound like. It was awful and made me dread those chapters.
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- Anonymous User
- 01-12-24
Perfection. Brilliantly done…A must listen
This journey was about fore thinking and progression for women. It was so well written and performed. There is romance, love, perseverance, twists and turns. Melding today and yesterday!!! Women have been evolving since the 1920’s. Their journeys to be admired. Today as a woman who knows true love with a husband and children. Runs a business, with another woman who is a mom, as these characters grow I thank women like this who paved the way. This was just a terrific well thought out insightful addictive listen. BRAVA
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- Toria
- 01-27-24
Beautiful story
I truly love Dual pov and timeline stories like this that come together so beautifully these are some of my favorite stories
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