Bookish Buys: If It Makes You Happy by Julie Olivia
Bookish Buys
Inspired by If It Makes You Happy by Julie Olivia
There’s something about fall that makes you want to wrap yourself in texture, warm layers, and a little storybook magic—and the right outfit can make you feel like the main character in your own life. A black textured romper with buttons down the front, layered over an Essential Boat-Neck Jersey Top, paired with sheer tights and Soho Knee High Boots, hits that perfect balance of chic and cozy. The buttons add playful detail, the layered top keeps it soft and approachable, and the boots give it a confident, city-ready edge—all while leaving room to curl up with a good book or tackle your to-do list.
Light a fall-scented candle that smells like crisp leaves, baked apples, and the comforting warmth of a Vermont inn, and suddenly you’re stepping into the world of If It Makes You Happy by Julie Olivia. Set in small-town Copper Run, Vermont, this slow-burn romance follows a newly divorced innkeeper as she navigates awkward encounters, scone disasters, and a flannel-wearing neighbor whose charm is impossible to resist. Between the candlelight, cozy layers, and golden autumn glow, it’s easy to imagine yourself in the story—or at least channeling its warmth and confidence in your own life.
Wearing this look while savoring the small, comforting rituals of fall is a reminder that being the heroine of your own story doesn’t mean having everything figured out. It’s about showing up for yourself, finding joy in the little moments, and embracing a day that feels wholly yours—boots on, buttons fastened, candle flickering. Sometimes, all it takes is the right outfit and a little literary inspiration to feel like the main character you truly are.
Find more Bookish Buys.
Bookish Buys: If It Makes You Happy by Julie Olivia
About If It Makes You Happy by Julie Olivia:
Grab your favorite fall candle, cuddle into a comfy blanket, and travel back in time to 1997 in this cozy, slow-burn romance set in the autumn glow of small-town Vermont.
Now with exclusive bonus content!
My new next-door neighbor seems to have everything figured out. Small town golden boy? Check. Single dad extraordinaire? Check. Hot baker forearms? I didn’t notice them, I swear.
I, on the other hand, don’t–at all–have anything figured out. Trust me, I didn’t think taking over my mom’s dream bed and breakfast in Copper Run Vermont was going to be easy. It should be a good place to heal after my divorce. But apparently my scones belong in the garbage with my small talk skills. As pointed out by none other than Cliff.
Cliff is inescapable. He knows exactly what people need–always. His charm, the way he wears flannel, and even his pastries, make not wanting to be friends with Cliff and his daughters pretty hard.
Friends? I can make friends. That’s safe. Except I’m leaving in three months to pass the inn off to my little sister and get the promotion in Seattle I’ve been working towards. So ask me why I’m thinking about kissing my hot neighbor.
