Category: Susan Mallery

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Kimberly reviews The Summer Getaway by Susan Mallery

TITLE: The Summer Getaway
CHARACTERS: Robyn & Lillian
AUTHOR: Susan Mallery
PUBLICATION DATE: 03/15/22
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
One woman discovers the beauty in chaos in this poignant and heartwarming story about the threads that hold family together from #1 New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery.

With her divorce settlement about to run out and a mortgage she can’t afford, Robyn Caldwell needs a plan for her future. She nurtured her family and neglected herself. But how’s she supposed to think when her daughter has become the most demanding bride ever, her son won’t even consider college, her best friend is on the brink of marital disaster and her ex is making a monumentally bad decision that could bring everything crashing down on Robyn’s head? So when her great-aunt Lillian invites her to Santa Barbara for the summer, Robyn hops on the first plane.

But it’s hard to run away when you’re the heart of the family. One by one, everyone she left behind follows her across the country. Somehow, their baggage doesn’t feel as heavy in the sun-drenched, mishmash mansion. The more time Robyn spends with free-spirited Lillian, the more she sees the appeal in taking chances—on dreams, on love, on family. Life is meant to be lived on purpose. All she has to do is muster the courage to take a chance on herself.

REVIEW:
4.25 Hearts First off you can not go wrong with Susan Mallery. This is the perfect “beach” read. Not sure what that is? It’s a book that puts you in a relaxing, enjoyable mood while you are (or dream about) sitting on a beach instead of spending your day “Adulting!!!”

In this latest book by Mallery we meet Robyn and her family. She is going through a rough patch. Her daughter is wanting the wedding of her dreams and becoming a bridezilla to get it, her son who just graduated can’t figure out what he wants from life, soon she will have to sell her house per her divorce decree and her best friend is just plain stressing a girlfriend out. And now her great aunt invites her to run away to Santa Barbara.

First off, the aunt’s house had me imagining Winchester Mystery House and was just fun if you ask me. Soon the family comes to Santa Barbara one by one and life catches up to Robyn.

Another wonderful story by Mallery. Susan Mallery is easily one of my favorite authors. Her name is the first I suggest to anyone who is looking for a new-to-them author.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews The Stepsisters by Susan Mallery

TITLE: The Stepsisters
CHARACTERS: Sage & Daisy
AUTHOR: Susan Mallery
PUBLICATION DATE: 06/08/21
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
#1 New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery pens a love story of a different sort…a heartfelt tale of friendship between two women who used to be sisters.

Once upon a time, when her dad married Sage’s mom, Daisy was thrilled to get a bright and shiny new sister. But Sage was beautiful and popular, everything Daisy was not, and she made sure Daisy knew it.

Sage didn’t have Daisy’s smarts—she had to go back a grade to enroll in the fancy rich-kid school. So she used her popularity as a weapon, putting Daisy down to elevate herself. After the divorce, the stepsisters’ rivalry continued until the final, improbable straw: Daisy married Sage’s first love, and Sage fled California.

Eighteen years, two kids and one troubled marriage later, Daisy never expects—or wants—to see Sage again. But when the little sister they have in common needs them both, they put aside their differences to care for Cassidy. As long-buried truths are revealed, no one is more surprised than they when friendship blossoms.

Their fragile truce is threatened by one careless act that could have devastating consequences. They could turn their backs on each other again…or they could learn to forgive once and for all and finally become true sisters of the heart.

REVIEW:
OK first let me say if you have not heard of Susan Mallery you have been living under a rock. Mallery is one of the best authors in the genre of romance and women’s lit. Mallery drags you in from the first few pages and this is no exception.

Daisy and Sage became stepsisters at a young age and when Cassidy is born of the union Daisy is outnumbered and alone. Now, we are almost two decades later and things are going to change. Cassidy is hurt and needs to stay with Daisy and Sage will be there for her baby sister no matter that she and Daisy are estranged and neither of them plan to ever see each other again.

I love Mallery, if you couldn’t tell from the start of this review, and stories like this are why. There is so much to this threesome of sisters that they don’t see in themselves or each other. I loved and hated these characters. I was on Daisy’s side more often than not but once in a while it would change and I could see why Sage was the way she was.

This is a blended family and are all mixed up and needs to heal together.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews The Vineyard At Painted Moon by Susan Mallery

TITLE: The Vineyard At Painted Moon
CHARACTERS: Mackenzie Dienes
AUTHOR: Susan Mallery
PUBLICATION DATE: 02/09/21
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Step into the vineyard with Susan Mallery’s most irresistible novel yet, as one woman searches for the perfect blend of love, family and wine.

Mackenzie Dienes seems to have it all—a beautiful home, close friends and a successful career as an elite winemaker with the family winery. There’s just one problem—it’s not her family, it’s her husband’s. In fact, everything in her life is tied to him—his mother is the closest thing to a mom that she’s ever had, their home is on the family compound, his sister is her best friend. So when she and her husband admit their marriage is over, her pain goes beyond heartbreak. She’s on the brink of losing everything. Her job, her home, her friends and, worst of all, her family.

Staying is an option. She can continue to work at the winery, be friends with her mother-in-law, hug her nieces and nephews—but as an employee, nothing more. Or she can surrender every piece of her heart in order to build a legacy of her own. If she can dare to let go of the life she thought she wanted, she might discover something even more beautiful waiting for her beneath a painted moon.

REVIEW:
I am a HUGE fan of Susan Mallery’s and never miss her books because I know they will be a great read but I was not expecting just how good this one would be.

In short, Mackenzie marries into her best friends family and believes she becomes one of them but after almost two decades together her husband wants a divorce and it becomes crystal clear how much of an outsider Mackenie is with the people she believed to be her family.

This book, as with most reads by Mallery, had me laughing and chuckling but what doesn’t normally happen is a tear rolling down my cheek or a lump in my throat and that happened too.

I found myself wanting to crawl into the book and let Mackenzie know she wasn’t alone and that I was her friend and when an author can do that to a reader you know they have written magic.

I will always tell readers to pick up a Mallery book (I can not tell you how many times I have said that to people in stores) but this one will be one of the books I actually call out by name.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

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Kimberly reviews The Friendship List by Susan Mallery

TITLE: The Friendship List
CHARACTERS: Ellen and Unity
AUTHOR: Susan Mallery
PUBLICATION DATE: 08/04/20
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
[ ] Dance till dawn
[ ] Go skydiving
[ ] Wear a bikini in public
[ ] Start living

Two best friends jump-start their lives in a summer that will change them forever…

Single mom Ellen Fox couldn’t be more content—until she overhears her son saying he can’t go to his dream college because she needs him too much. If she wants him to live his best life, she has to convince him she’s living hers.

So Unity Leandre, her best friend since forever, creates a list of challenges to push Ellen out of her comfort zone. Unity will complete the list, too, but not because she needs to change. What’s wrong with a thirty-something widow still sleeping in her late husband’s childhood bed?

The Friendship List begins as a way to make others believe they’re just fine. But somewhere between “wear three-inch heels” and “have sex with a gorgeous guy,” Ellen and Unity discover that life is meant to be lived with joy and abandon, in a story filled with humor, heartache and regrettable tattoos.

REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts Every year Mallery takes us away from Happily Inc/Fool’s Gold and takes us on a journey of friendship instead of romance. Not that it doesn’t have romance involved… what would a Mallery book be without romance?… but the books are mostly about friendship and the “other” relationships in our lives.

In this story we have Ellen and Unity. They have been friends for what seems forever and they make a pact. This will do the things on their bucket list and the one that doesn’t get everything complete will pay for the winner to have a spa weekend.

I will be honest and say I had moments of dislike for every single character. But you know what? That is life. Even the people we love most drive us crazy. Or we want to kick them in the butt and say “It is what it is. Get over it.”

Mallery brings real life to paper. The way we handle our teenagers and their grown up actions. Our friends and their childlike behavior. And of course love and romance. So many moments with the teenagers in the story I wanted to yell at them or yell at the parents for what they were/were not doing. But when a book can make you feel so involved you know you have been taken into the authors world and out of your own.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews Sisters By Choice by Susan Mallery

TITLE: Sisters By Choice
SERIES #: Blackberry Island #4
CHARACTERS: Sophie, Kristine & Heather
AUTHOR: Susan Mallery
PUBLICATION DATE: 02/11/20
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Cousins by chance, sisters by choice…

After her cat toy empire goes up in flames, Sophie Lane returns to Blackberry Island, determined to rebuild. Until small-town life reveals a big problem: she can’t grow unless she learns to let go. If Sophie relaxes her grip even a little, she might lose everything. Or she might finally be free to reach for the happiness and love that have eluded her for so long.

Kristine has become defined by her relationship to others. She’s a wife, a mom. As much as she adores her husband and sons, she wants something for herself—a sweet little bakery just off the waterfront. She knew changing the rules wouldn’t be easy, but she never imagined she might have to choose between her marriage and her dreams.

Like the mainland on the horizon, Heather’s goals seem beyond her grasp. Every time she manages to save for college, her mother has another crisis. Can she break free, or will she be trapped in this tiny life forever?

Told with Mallery’s trademark humor and charm, Sisters by Choice is a heartfelt tale of love, family and the friendships that see us through.

REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts Oh how I adored this story and Oh how I love Susan Mallery! Susan has a way of bringing you right into her world and you not only want to visit you want to pack up and move there. Blackberry Island has been no different.

In this story we meet Sophie, Kristine and Heather. They are “Sisters By Choice”. We all have one of those or maybe more than one like in this case.

Having my own Sister By Choice made this story more real to me. My SBC and I have been through so much and yet when we should have fallen apart we grew closer together. As I read about Sophie, Kristine and Heather I knew they could and would survive it all together.

Susan Mallery is simply the best when it comes to writing. She is always the first I mention when someone asks who I read. And this story is just proof as to why. Another wonderful trip to Blackberry Island.

Disclaimer:I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4 Hearts

 

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Kimberly reviews Meant To Be Yours by Susan Mallery

TITLE: Meant To Be Yours
SERIES #: Happily Inc #5
CHARACTERS: Renee & Jasper
AUTHOR: Susan Mallery
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/22/19
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
In Happily Inc, love means never having to say “I do”…

Wedding coordinator Renee Grothen isn’t meant for marriage. Those who can, do. Those who can’t, plan. But she never could have planned on gorgeous, talented thriller writer Jasper Dembenski proposing—a fling, that is. Fun without a future. And the attraction between them is too strong for Renee to resist. Now she can have her no-wedding cake…and eat it, too.

After years in the military, Jasper is convinced he’s too damaged for relationships. So a flirtation—and more—with fiery, determined Renee is way too good to pass up…until his flame becomes his muse.

Renee is an expert at averting every crisis. But is she finally ready to leap into the one thing that can never be controlled: love?

REVIEW:
Simply said Susan Mallery is my go to. She is the first name I mention when people ask me my favorite author and I have never been disappointed in a book. And I wasn’t with this book either. Far from it.

Renee and Jasper are so different and yet the same. They do not know what they want and have no idea how to find out. At least that is how I read them. Renee thinks she wants a FWB relationship with Jasper and Jasper is looking to understand women for his new book.

They are a great couple who like all of Mallery’s couples have a moment of heartbreak before they come back together for the HEA.

I really enjoyed Jasper trying to figure out women by watching “chick flicks” and such. It was too funny. And Renee just seems like an every woman. We think we have been through it all until something more happens.

Another great story from Mallery… but I expect nothing less from her.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

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Kimberly reviews The Summer Of Sunshine and Margot by Susan Mallery

The Summer of Sunshine and MargotTITLE: The Summer Of Sunshine and Margot
CHARACTERS: Margot & Sunshine
AUTHOR: Susan Mallery
PUBLICATION DATE: 06/11/19
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
The Baxter sisters come from a long line of women with disastrous luck in love. But this summer, Sunshine and Margot will turn disasters into destiny…

As an etiquette coach, Margot teaches her clients to fit in. But she’s never faced a client like Bianca, an aging movie star who gained fame—and notoriety—through a campaign of shock and awe. Schooling Bianca on the fine art of behaving like a proper diplomat’s wife requires intensive lessons, forcing Margot to move into the monastery turned mansion owned by the actress’s intensely private son. Like his incredible home, Alec’s stony exterior hides secret depths Margot would love to explore. But will he trust her enough to let her in?

Sunshine has always been the good-time sister, abandoning jobs to chase after guys who used her, then threw her away. No more. She refuses to be “that girl” again. This time, she’ll finish college, dedicate herself to her job as a nanny, and she 100 percent will not screw up her life again by falling for the wrong guy. Especially not the tempting single dad who also happens to be her boss.

Master storyteller Susan Mallery weaves threads of family drama, humor, romance and a wish-you-were-there setting into one of the most satisfying books of the year!

REVIEW:
4.75 Hearts Margot and Sunshine are siblings but are as different as their names indicate. Margot is all business and Sunshine is all play.

But this is a story about sisters and love and life more than about the difference in them it is about the life of hard knocks they have endured together.

If you have never read a Susan Mallery story, well first…. WTH?… but if you haven’t read her start NOW! Susan Mallery is honestly one of my favorite authors of all time. She is the first name I think of when someone asked me for the name of my fav author. Sure there are others but she is #1!

This is a keeper! Pick it up for a great summer, or anytime, read!

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

5hearts-68-77

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Kimberly reviews Why Not Tonight by Susan Mallery

why not tonightTITLE: Why Not Tonight
SERIES #: Happily Inc #3
CHARACTERS: Natalie & Ronan
AUTHOR: Susan Mallery
PUBLICATION DATE: 09/18/18
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Susan Mallery welcomes you to Happily Inc, where true love isn’t just for fairy tales…

Natalie Kaleta will do anything for the artists at her gallery, including risk life, limb and the effect of humidity on her naturally curly hair. Braving a downpour to check on reclusive Ronan Mitchell, Natalie gets stranded by a mudslide at his mountain home, where the brooding glass artist reveals his playful side, sending her inconvenient crush from under-the-radar to over-the-top.

After a secret tore apart his family and made him question his sense of self, Ronan fled his hometown for Happily Inc, but the sunny small town can’t fix his damaged heart. He won’t give in to his attraction for beautiful, perpetually cheerful Natalie. She’s untouched by darkness—or so he thinks.

Natalie knows that when a heart goes through the flame, it comes out stronger. Life may not be a fairy tale, but sometimes dreams do come true. Why not this one? Why not tonight?

REVIEW:
Oh Susan! You have done it again!

Susan Mallery is *THE* author that I always turn to when I want to read a contemporary romance. Happily Inc is a branch off of Fool’s Gold and this is the 3rd in the series. Fool’s Gold was always my dream (novel) vacation spot. And Happily Inc is really starting to be where I want to visit after Fool’s Gold.

Mallery is great at drawing you in with the very first few pages. We have met Ronan in the first two of this series and not it is his turn at love. Ronan may be my favorite of the Mitchell brothers because of his broody personality and it was great to see him bloom.

Never a disappointment!

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews California Girls by Susan Mallery

california girlsTITLE: California Girls
CHARACTERS: Finola, Zennie & Ali
AUTHOR: Susan Mallery
PUBLICATION DATE: 02/26/19
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
The California sunshine’s not quite so bright for three sisters who get dumped in the same week…

Finola, a popular LA morning show host, is famously upbeat until she’s blindsided on live TV by news that her husband is sleeping with a young pop sensation who has set their affair to music. While avoiding the tabloids and pretending she’s just fine, she’s crumbling inside, desperate for him to come to his senses and for life to go back to normal.

Zennie’s breakup is no big loss. Although the world insists she pair up, she’d rather be surfing. So agreeing to be the surrogate for her best friend is a no-brainer—after all, she has an available womb and no other attachments to worry about. Except…when everyone else, including her big sister, thinks she’s making a huge mistake, being pregnant is a lot lonelier—and more complicated—than she imagined.

Never the tallest, thinnest or prettiest sister, Ali is used to being overlooked, but when her fiancé sends his disapproving brother to call off the wedding, it’s a new low. And yet Daniel continues to turn up “for support,” making Ali wonder if maybe—for once—someone sees her in a way no one ever has.

But side by side by side, these sisters will start over and rebuild their lives with all the affection, charm and laugh-out-loud humor that is classic Susan Mallery.

REVIEW:
Mallery is my favorite author. She is the first name that comes to mind when someone asks me to recommend an author… “Have you ever read Susan Mallery?” and most times the answer is “Yes! I love her.” From that point on I know where to go with the conversation.

First I always bring up her Fool’s Gold series, move on to the Happily Inc series and then talk about her stand alone stories. And still so many to talk about.

In this story we meet Finola, Zennie and Ali. This story takes you through every emotion a book can do. You feel the sadness and the joy that the characters feel.

Another story that can not be missed by Susan Mallery.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews Not Quite Over You by Susan Mallery

not quite over youTITLE: Not Quite Over You
SERIES #: Happily Ever After #4
CHARACTERS: Silver & Drew
AUTHOR: Susan Mallery
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/23/18
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Susan Mallery, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Fool’s Gold romances, proves there’s nowhere better than Happily Inc to rekindle first love.

Silver Tesdal has a head for business and a mouth made for kissing, and banker Drew Lovato has his eye on both. But ever since he was dumb enough to let her go, she’s kept him at a distance. When the bank turns her down for a loan, Drew sees a double opportunity—he can finance her brilliant, unique idea to rock Happily Inc’s wedding industry and win back her trust.

Despite her reputation, Silver’s not as tough as she seems. Losing Drew nearly destroyed her. Still, his kisses are as tempting as his offer to invest in her business. If she can’t quite get over him, maybe she should get under him and knock him out of her system once and for all.

But her best laid plans begin to unravel as Silver finds herself falling even harder than when they were high school sweethearts. Which means that she’ll have to come clean about the secret she’s been hiding from him for years—and risk losing him forever.

REVIEW:
Oh Susan! You have done it again!

Susan Mallery is *THE* author that I always turn to when I want to read a contemporary romance. Happily Inc is a branch off of Fool’s Gold and this is the 4th in the series. Fool’s Gold was always my dream (novel) vacation spot. And Happily Inc is really starting to be where I want to visit after Fool’s Gold.

Mallery is great at drawing you in with the very first few pages. We have met Ronan in the first two of this series and not it is his turn at love. This is Drew’s story and we have known all along this would be the story of the Mitchell brother we all wanted to read. Worth the wait!

Never a disappointment!

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews When We Found Home by Susan Mallery

when we found homeTITLE: When We Found Home
CHARACTERS: Callie, Keira and Malcolm
AUTHOR: Susan Mallery
PUBLICATION DATE: 07/10/18
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Life is meant to be savored, but that’s not easy with no family, limited prospects and a past you’d rather not talk about. Still, Callie Smith doesn’t know how to feel when she discovers she has a brother and a sister–Malcolm, who grew up with affection, wealth and privilege, and Keira, a streetwise twelve-year-old.

Callie doesn’t love being alone, but at least it’s safe. Despite her trepidation, she moves into the grand family home with her siblings and grandfather on the shores of Lake Washington, hoping just maybe this will be the start of a whole new life.

But starting over can be messy. Callie and Keira fit in with each other, but not with their posh new lifestyle, leaving Malcolm feeling like the odd man out in his own home. He was clever enough to turn a sleepy Seattle mail-order food catalog into an online gourmet powerhouse, yet he can’t figure out how to help his new sisters feel secure. Becoming a family will take patience, humor, a little bit of wine and a whole lot of love.

But love isn’t Malcolm’s strong suit… until a beautiful barista teaches him that an open heart, like the family table, can always make room for more.

REVIEW:
4.25 Hearts Wow. Just Wow! I know we live in a world where sex is about sex and not about love but to find out that your family has increased by 2 half sisters would blow your world apart but that is what has happened to Malcolm.

There is so much to this book. Romance, of course, because it is Susan Mallery but also family dynamics, love and understanding as well as misunderstanding. This is so real. As the reader meets each new character we feel like a little bit has been added to Malcolm’s (and our) life.

I am a huge fan of Mallery’s Fool’s Gold/Happily Inc series and usually don’t enjoy the “extra” (as I call them) stories as much as as the series but this one just pulls at your heartstrings.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4 Hearts
4 Hearts
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Kelly reviews The Kidnapped Bride by Molly Harper

kidnapped brideTITLE: The Kidnapped Bride
SERIES #: Desert Rogues #1
CHARACTERS: Dora & Khalil
AUTHOR: Susan Mallery
PUBLICATION DATE: 11/01/17
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Swept away by the passionate Prince Khalil Khan, Dora Nelson reveled in her new fairy-tale life as princess of El Bahar. But once she learned that the love and affection Khalil had showered her with were a sham, she refused to bend to his will. For he’d tricked her, and she couldn’t forgive him….
But she also couldn’t stop loving him. More than anything else, Dora wanted a happy home and an adoring husband. Still, when Dora’s feistiness met Khalil’s arrogance, sparks flew. And unless Dora and Khalil agreed to meet halfway, this fiery marriage threatened to consume them both!

REVIEW:
So this is a re-release from Susan Mallery and she has come a long way since this book. While it might have been better if I wasn’t comparing it to Mallery’s current reads this just didn’t add up to me.

I am not a fan of the whole sheik romance but since this was Mallery I picked it up. And to tell you the truth it was a bit cheesy and I believe unintentionally funny.

Not one of my favorite but still an ok read.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

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