The Girls of Mischief Bay by Susan Mallery (4.5 stars)

About The Girls of Mischief Bay

Paperback: 416 pages
Publisher: Mira (February 24, 2015)

New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery is world renowned for her “insightful, funny, and poignant” stories (Booklist). With her brand-new Mischief Bay series, Susan brings to vivid color the story of three friends on the brink of a new life.

Nicole Lord wants to be a good wife, but there’s a difference between being supportive and supporting her husband, who quit his job to write a screenplay she’s never seen. He won’t even help take care of their son, leaving Nicole to run the house and work full-time.

Sacrificing a personal life for her career is how Shannon Rigg became a VP at her firm, but she wonders now whether she made the right choice. An exciting new relationship with a great guy convinces her that it might not be too late—until he drops a bombshell that has her questioning whether she really can have it all.

Although Pam Eiland adores her husband, she feels restless now that the kids are grown. Finding sexy new ways to surprise him brings the heat and humor back to their marriage, but when unexpected change turns her life upside down, she’ll have to redefine herself. Again.

Through romance and heartbreak, laughter and tears, the girls of Mischief Bay will discover that life is richer with friends at your side.

“Best-selling romance author Mallery delves into light women’s fiction with this third Blackberry Island novel, maintaining her romantic charm and smooth voice yet embracing the freedom of a broader storyline with ease and a bit more depth.” Kirkus Reviews on EVENING STARS

“Mallery pulls out all the stops in this highly enjoyable and insightful, funny, and poignant look at self-sacrifice and romantic entanglement.”?Booklist, starred review, on EVENING STARS

“[A] joy for all of us who were rooting on the sidelines.”Publishers Weekly on EVENING STARS

“Will Nina prevail? Of course she will: this is romantic fiction. But the why and the how, and with whom, are all highly entertaining.”The Seattle Times on EVENING STARS

Purchase Links

Amazon | Books-A-Million | Barnes & Noble

Review

Three women with intersecting lives go through heartbreak and discovery. Pam Eiland is the marriage vet, and she and her husband John have lost some of their spark. Thanks to a fun, sexy retreat, they find it again. Then, the unexpected happens, and Pam struggles to cope.

Shannon Rigg loves her job but has put love on the back burner as a result. Then, she meets Adam. Everything about him is almost too good to be true, until he reveals something that may end their budding romance. 

Finally, Nicole Lord is trying to find balance between being a wife, mother, and business owner. Trouble is her husband is determined to chase his dreams without thinking of anyone else.

This is women's fiction at its best. Relationships aren't easy, and they have their ups and downs. Sure, it's nice to read something more than a couple looking across a crowded room and finding sudden, immediate passion. What happens after that?

Pam loves her husband, but the spark is missing. She doesn't just accept it and roll over; she fights to get it back. Nicole is strung out and struggling with a man more concerned with his own needs than hers or their son's. And Shannon gets caught up in early romance only to have to accept the reality that nobody is perfect.

Their stories are real, emotional, and engaging. At the end of the day, there's hope, even when they face disappointment and loss. Even better, they support and care about one another. I was expecting a light, more romantic read, not to feel emotionally attached to these three main characters and even cry. A nice surprise.

It's equally heartwarming and heartbreaking. Great for readers who love an emotional journey and characters who stick with you. 

Rating: 4.5 stars

About Susan Mallery

New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery has won the hearts of millions of readers around the world with books described as “immensely entertaining, intensely emotional” (RT Book Reviews), “hilarious” (Fort Worth Star-Telegram), and “heartwarming” (Publishers Weekly). One major retailer recently described her as “the queen of romantic fiction.” While she deeply appreciates the accolades of critics and booksellers, Mallery is even more honored by the enthusiasm of her readers and the word-of-mouth that catapults her toward the top of the bestsellers lists time and again.

Mallery lives in not-so-sunny Seattle with her husband and a toy poodle who makes her laugh every day and who’s not even a little bit impressed by her growing fame. 

Connect with Susan 

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Thanks to TLC for my review copy.

Note: I received a complimentary copy for review purposes. A positive review was not requested or guaranteed; the opinions expressed are my own.

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