Book Review: Soul Happy by Anette Nilsson

*I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*

Title: Soul Happy: A Viking Woman’s Long Road Home
Author: Anette Nilsson
Publisher: She Writes Press
Publication Date: March 24, 2026
ISBN:9788896361046

Synopsis:
Nette Nilsson has big dreams and is in the midst of pursuing them—starting by leaving Denmark to attend university in Toronto, Canada—when she falls for a beguiling but volatile American. Their romance moves fast, and in what seems like no time she finds herself living a privileged but deeply unhappy life in New York with her now-husband, Cal. After suffering for too long, she finally begins to find her way onto a better path—only to be abruptly faced with a life-threatening physical condition. To survive and to heal, Nette must confront dark family lies and her hidden traumas and find her own power again.

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This is a hard book to critique because it’s the author’s own story, and it’s harrowing, often terrible, and in many cases heartbreaking. The author herself is so incredibly strong to have suffered and survived all that life has thrown at her. As a woman, and a mother, I have nothing but respect for everything she has had to endure. She is a true survivor, and despite her struggles personally and physically, she still manages to hold on to hope and find the strength to face and conquer her challenges, even in those moments that she wants to give up.

I may be the unpopular opinion here, but Soul Happy is one of the hardest books I’ve ever had to read, and not necessarily because of the author’s difficult journey. The writing style of this book was not for me and I couldn’t bridge the author’s voice to connect with her story. It’s unfortunate that her turn of phrase, for me, took me further away from her trials and triumphs, rather than drawing me in. I found myself feeling awkward, or uncomfortable at some descriptions of the people in her life, and it took me out of the book. It took me weeks to get through the story, and if I’m honest, I wish I’d just called it a DNF and left it behind.

Happy reading!