The Sweet Spot

What if experiencing a good life involves more than just pleasure? Revealing the surprising roots of lasting happiness, pre-eminent psychologist Paul Bloom explains why suffering is an essential source of both pleasure and meaning in our lives. It seems obvious that pleasure leads to happiness - and pain does the opposite. And yet we are irresistibly drawn to a host of experiences that truly hurt, from the exhilarating fear of horror movies or extreme sport to the gruelling challenges of exercise, work, creativity and having a family. Drawing on ground-breaking findings, pre-eminent psychologist Paul Bloom explores the pleasures of suffering and reveals why the activities that provide the most satisfaction are often the ones that involve the greatest sacrifice. Embracing this truth, he shows, is the key to a life well lived. 'Paul Bloom can always be counted on to take your confident assumptions about humanity and turn them upside down' Susan Cain, author of Quiet 'An exhilarating antidote to toxic positivity, this captivating book will challenge you to rethink your vision of a good life' Adam Grant, author of Think Again

What if experiencing a good life involves more than just pleasure? Revealing the surprising roots of lasting happiness, pre-eminent psychologist Paul Bloom explains why suffering is an essential source of both pleasure and meaning in our lives. It seems obvious that pleasure leads to happiness - and pain does the opposite. And yet we are irresistibly drawn to a host of experiences that truly hurt, from the exhilarating fear of horror movies or extreme sport to the gruelling challenges of exercise, work, creativity and having a family. Drawing on ground-breaking findings, pre-eminent psychologist Paul Bloom explores the pleasures of suffering and reveals why the activities that provide the most satisfaction are often the ones that involve the greatest sacrifice. Embracing this truth, he shows, is the key to a life well lived. 'Paul Bloom can always be counted on to take your confident assumptions about humanity and turn them upside down' Susan Cain, author of Quiet 'An exhilarating antidote to toxic positivity, this captivating book will challenge you to rethink your vision of a good life' Adam Grant, author of Think Again

From USA Today and Amazon Bestselling Author Bella Matthews, comes a hot new hockey coach, single dad, marriage of convenience, small town romance. A fake marriage with a single dad wasn't on my dance card but there are worse ways to start the summer. Our story didn't begin the night I agreed to marry Deacon Kane to help him keep his daughter. It started ten years ago, with a hotshot hockey player I couldn't wait to see each summer. He was big, broad, and filled out his board shorts so damn nicely. But holy hell... The memories of teenage Deacon don't hold a candle to the man he is now, the one who makes me melt each time he says, " my wife ." What was supposed to be a marriage of convenience quickly spirals into something else. Something I can't control. Because this man makes me feel alive in a way I haven't felt in months, and I want more. More sparks. More life. More time. Can a relationship based on lies last... Especially when I'm the one keeping all the secrets?

From USA Today and Amazon Bestselling Author Bella Matthews, comes a hot new hockey coach, single dad, marriage of convenience, small town romance. A fake marriage with a single dad wasn't on my dance card but there are worse ways to start the summer. Our story didn't begin the night I agreed to marry Deacon Kane to help him keep his daughter. It started ten years ago, with a hotshot hockey player I couldn't wait to see each summer. He was big, broad, and filled out his board shorts so damn nicely. But holy hell... The memories of teenage Deacon don't hold a candle to the man he is now, the one who makes me melt each time he says, "my wife." What was supposed to be a marriage of convenience quickly spirals into something else. Something I can't control. Because this man makes me feel alive in a way I haven't felt in months, and I want more. More sparks. More life. More time. Can a relationship based on lies last... Especially when I'm the one keeping all the secrets?