Dr. Margaret a.k.a. Maggie Maguire has a doctorate in the Scientific Study of Happiness. She has a bestseller on the subject too. Then why is she so unhappy? It's been two months since, Jake, her fiance, broke their engagement and called off their wedding. Jake tells her he is in love with and will marry an aerial dancer/trapeze artist in two short days. Maggie's life is a mess! She has not shared this news with her parents who believe it is Jake and Maggie who will be wed at that time. Her BFFs, Haley and Kathleen are closing in on her. Haley is her publicist and is pushing her to get packed for a free singles cruise she has put together. Maggie will be a guest speaker on the topic of "New Year, New You." Because Maggie will be an invited guest, the voyage will be comped, and Haley and Kathleen will go at no charge, too. Their cruise ship, The Empress of the Seas, will leave from Galveston, Texas and will cruise the coastline of the Gulf of Mexico. Maggie reluctantly goes, fighting to stay quietly at home to continue watching the romantic movies with happy endings like she would love in her own life. Instead, she ends up on a ship filled with happiness seekers.

The girls meet two handsome, single men aboard ship. One is a part- time bartender whose cabin is in the dregs of the ship. Brent's mantra is fun! fun!! fun!!! He shows Maggie exciting, fun-filled shipboard activities. Sam Wellington is observant, thoughtful, and has a suite with a glassed-in water view throughout, a lovely staircase leading to a fabulous master bedroom, and a butler. Sam has lots of money and is a charmer. He tells Maggie at their first meeting he feels an intelligent woman cannot be happy. They begin a relationship of sparring back and forth and discover each has sadness in their life they have not shared with many people. I found it easy to find in love with Sam. He is gorgeous and sweet, too!

Kristin Billerbeck writes a bittersweet story of heartbreak, second chances, family, friends, and new beginnings. She sprinkles touches of Christian faith and how the main characters feel about God. Maggie is socially awkward, nerdy and has always worked hard to please her parents. She always strived to do whatever it took to keep them happy and their relationship is a mess too. THE THEORY OF HAPPILY EVER AFTER has it all and it is an adventure that will keep you captive until the final page. Kudos to Kristen Billerbeck!