Publishers Weekly
05/08/2017
Mallery’s third Mischief Bay novel allows readers to witness what happens when friendship and family collide. Zoe Saldivar gave up her old life for an ex and now she’s trying to determine what she wants in her life, love, and career. Isolated and bored by working from home, she even feels distanced from her best friend, Jen Beldon. Jen’s incessant worrying, constant dread, and nonstop hovering over her 18-month-old son, Jack, is pushing away her loved ones, including her mother, widow Pam Eiland, and her husband. Pam is content with her life of friends, family, and travel, and has no plans to bother with dating again, but she can’t help but play matchmaker with her son, Steven, only to have it backfire. The three women have to learn how to navigate their emotions and confront reality when the ties that bind start to unravel. When the lines between characters’ relationships become hazy, the plot becomes more complex, showcasing Mallery’s talent as a storyteller. The women develop as the novel progresses, becoming fleshed-out characters readers will care about. (Mar.)
From the Publisher
"Heartfelt, funny, and utterly charming all the way through!" -Susan Elizabeth Phillips
"Susan Mallery never disappoints.... She is at her storytelling best." -Debbie Macomber, #1 New York Times bestselling author
"Mallery returns to Mischief Bay with another set of friends dealing with dramatic yet relatable turmoil, which she treats with compassion, discernment, and subtlety."
-Kirkus Reviews on The FriendsWe Keep
"An engaging read to be savored all the way through."
-Publishers Weekly on The FriendsWe Keep
"[A] highly original and fascinating page-turner you may lose sleep over. Mallery brings our inner lives to the surface and evokes deep emotions from her readers. You will fall in love with the girls of Mischief Bay." -RT Book Reviews onThe FriendsWe Keep
"Mallery, a best-selling romance writer, can write a believable love story. But what makes this story remarkable is how strong and relatable the friendship between the characters is. This is a welcome return to Mischief Bay."
-BooklistonThe FriendsWe Keep
"Once again, Susan Mallery has created an inviting world that envelops her readers' senses and sensibilities... Fans of Jodi Picoult, Debbie Macomber, and Elin Hilderbrand will assuredly fall for The Girls of Mischief Bay." -Bookreporter
"Fresh and engaging...the writing is strong, the dialogue genuine and believable. There's a generational subtext that mirrors reality and the complexities of adult relationships...filled with promise of a new serial that's worth following." -Fort Worth Star-Telegram on The Girls of Mischief Bay
Library Journal
02/01/2017
A few months after breaking up with her long-term boyfriend, Zoe Saldivar realizes just how isolated she's become in her life. Her best friend Jen is too busy being a new mom. Working full-time from home, Zoe has no colleagues to discuss anything with and finds herself conversing with her cat frequently. When she confides in Jen's mother, Pam, her life goes from calm to crazy. Pam sets Zoe up with her son Steven, then Zoe finds out her widower father is interested in possibly dating Pam, a widow herself. In the midst of this, Jen seems to be going through postpartum anxiety and is rejecting help from everyone. Zoe, Pam, and Jen must rely on friends, family, and one another to find their inner strength to resolve their issues. VERDICT Mallery is the master of blending emotionally believable characters in realistic situations. Her engaging and comically touching third novel in the "Mischief Bay" series (The Friends We Keep; The Girls of Mischief Bay) continues to satisfy lovers of women's fiction.—Joy Gunn, Paseo Verde Lib., Henderson, NV
MARCH 2017 - AudioFile
Listeners are welcomed back to Mischief Bay, where three friends face various challenges in their lives. Narrator Tanya Eby ably characterizes the voices of Zoe and Jen, the younger women. Pam, a widow, is given a more mature voice. Eby evokes the stresses that weigh on Jen, including her concern about her young son’s lack of speech. Equally charming is Eby’s smooth portrayal of Zoe’s father as he courts Pam. A blossoming romance between Zoe and Pam’s son adds to the mix. Even friendship is portrayed with charm; listeners will smile at the playful interactions between Jen and her husband’s police partner, Lucas. This audiobook is a pleasurable way to pass an afternoon. S.B. © AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine
