Tag: Susan Mallery

The Bookstore Diaries by Susan Mallery (Women’s Fiction)

Susan Mallery is my go-to author when I want some upbeat women’s fiction that models good adult behavior in relationships. Instead of inane bits of girl power where much discussion is devoted to how awful and possibly unnecessary men are, we have grown ups coming to an understanding of what is important to them in life, how they might be contributing to their own problems, and how to continually work on (all of) their relationships to keep them working.

Jax runs the Painted Lady Bookstore (great name!). She and her ex-husband alternate weeks in the family home, leaving the children in a stable environment. The bookstore — which features a unique set of lockboxes housing individual secret diaries — is unfortunately falling apart, necessitating extensive repair led by a very popular (and unsurprisingly sexy) contractor. Her sister Ryleigh, meanwhile, is thinking of moving out of town to find The One, since the local pickings are slim at best. In the meantime, she is best buds with her late best friend’s husband and child.

So yes — there are no real surprises — we know from the start how things are going to work out. This is an uplifting and happy book, remember? But what makes it worth it to me is the way Mallery models the interactions between characters (including an almost human African Gray parrot named Ramon), and the evolving self-knowledge on the part of both women. While the love interests are perfect (the eyes of the beholder after all!), I like the way even the ex-husband is presented as a full person with skills, flaws, good intentions, and clueless actions, rather than as the “bad guy.”

I completely enjoyed residing in the town and hanging with the bookshop denizens for the duration of the read. This is one of my favorite Mallery offerings.

Thank you to MIRA and NetGalley for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. The book will be published on March 3rd, 2026.

The Summer Book Club by Susan Mallery

This upbeat piece of women’s fiction starts with Laurel (one of the three main female characters in the book) getting called into school because her daughter has been telling the school that all men are terrible. Laurel realizes that her daughter has, in fact, not a single good male role model in her life so she sets out to make a male friend in order to show her daughter that some men are actually not terrible! Female lead #2 is Laurel’s best friend Paris whose husband left her ten years ago due to her uncontrollable rage. With years of therapy and learning anger management technique, Paris still worries she could flip out at any moment. Lastly, fem-hero #3 is Cassie — kicked out of the family home in Bar Harbor and told to get herself a life. It’s no surprise that by the end of the novel, everyone is doing great — that’s why we read these books!

Here is why I continue to read Susan Mallery novels, as opposed to many of the other women’s fiction selections. Yes, I have to suspend a lot of disbelief because in real life they just don’t make men like the ones these three manage to snag (except for my husband, of course!), but reading a Mallery book is kind of like reading an entertaining how-to manual for parenting and other relationships (including with yourself). Great advice, articulately doled out, and without having to resort to stupidity and game playing.

A couple of funny bits — the three women have a summer book club focused on Romance novels and the three men join in for one, pretty hysterical, discussion. And Mallery manages to make a thrift store shopping experience actually exciting to me (and trust me when I tell you that I dislike shopping for anything that doesn’t come with turning pages).

I read this while trying hard not to read about the horrible things happening in the world and found it very calming and reassuring. Even if it is fiction, it reminds me that not everybody is out there chanting horrible and ill informed slogans.

Thank you to Canary Street Press and NetGalley for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. The book will be published on February 13th, 2024.

The Boardwalk Bookshop by Susan Mallery (Women’s Fiction)

Three women combine resources to open a combined business in a gorgeous piece of boardwalk real estate. Bree (bookstore) is walled off emotionally in a desperate attempt at self protection; Mikki (gift shop) is three years into a “friendly” divorce but is having trouble moving on; and Ashley (Muffin shop) whose boyfriend is everything she could possibly ask for, except for his tenacious anti-marriage stance.

But while their businesses are flourishing, their personal lives are not. The story comprises family history and relationships, realistic scenarios requiring improved self awareness and difficult decisions, the requisite (and utterly unrealistic but who cares) hunky but deeply sensitive and supportive men, and a special guest appearance by a vibrator named Earl.

Another fun, warm, and self-help worthy offering from Susan Mallery.

Thank you to Mira Books and NetGalley for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. The book will be published on May 31st, 2022.

The Christmas Wedding Guest by Susan Mallery (Women’s Fiction)

Writing: 4/5 Plot: 3.5/5 Characters: 4.5/5
Another feel good story from Susan Mallery full of family, friends, love, and people who always know the right things to say. I seriously think you could get more relationship help from reading one of her books than seeing a therapist. While the plot is obvious, getting to the end is fun and full of grown-up behavior. Her characters are honest, straightforward, and could give tutorials on how to express heartfelt and complicated feelings. Yes, there are hunky men and happy endings — and there is nothing wrong with that — but the people actually have depth and I end up feeling more centered after reading. Go figure.

This book takes place in Wishing Tree, Washington — every bit as cute as it sounds. Reggie is going back home after a year of self-imposed exile following a bad break-up. In tow is Belle, her “less than brave” Great Dane. Big sister Dena has rationally dealt with her ticking biological clock by going the turkey baster route. Mom and dad have decided to renew their vows and have the wedding they skipped the first time — needing Reggie’s help because Dena is extremely busy learning that morning sickness does not limit itself to mornings!

Full of great banter, easy camaraderie, and plenty of Christmas cheer (and crafts for those who — unlike me — like that sort of thing). Enjoy!

Thank you to Harlequin and NetGalley for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. The book will be published on September 28th, 2021.

Backpacking Book Review #3

The end of the backpacking trip was a little surprising.  Slipping down a sandy friction pitch I was pushed over by the pack and landed right on my face — specifically my poor nose — on a flat but very hard rock.  Did not even realize that this was possible.  Don’t think I’ll include a photo because really — you don’t want to see it!  But no broken teeth or nose, just some very strange bruising and a better attitude to scampering down friction pitches in the future …

Meant to Be Yours by Susan Mallery

Thank you to Harlequin and NetGalley for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. The book will be published on October 22nd, 2019.

Hunky Vietnam Vet Jasper (who is not as “broken” as he thinks) is freshly returned from his book tour. A successful action adventure writer, he wants to finish off one series so he can start another but is flummoxed by his utter inability to write women. Enter Renee Grothen — wedding planning extraordinaire — who herself has given up on men after some very bad experiences. And guess where they both live? Happily Inc — a (fictional) wedding destination town with a real Disneyland flair. We learn this all in the first few pages and we know how it’s going to end — but the journey is fantastic.

I really don’t care for the romance genre but I read everything Susan Mallery writes. Her characters are interesting and nuanced (yes — sexy as well) and the plots are twisty and fun with captivating side stories. To start with, Renee works on theme weddings, and although I am personally not into decorations, weddings, etc, I loved hearing about the “Dallas Cowboys,” Nutcracker, and Apple themed weddings, just to name a few. Add to that a town that features an animal preserve, a horse ranch run by the adopted daughter of the King of El Bahar, and a woman who can actually sense what animals are thinking — and you have all the ingredients of a pretty engaging story. Some extremely well-written and steamy sex scenes as well. This is not a “cozy romance” — the attraction between our two is palpable rather than polite.

Fun read!