Susan Mallery is one of my writing icons. Not only is she prolific, putting out several books a year, but the books are (darn her) all so good and so different.
I understand that it takes a great deal of discipline to build a career like Mallery’s and it’s also apparent I don’t have that particular work ethic/talent/entrepreneurial gene.
That’s okay. It just means I get to appreciate Mallery and other writers like her.
Today, I’m talking about Mallery’s latest book that released Feb. 13, THE SUMMER BOOK CLUB. It’s full of the kind of layering and foreshadowing and depth I love.
From the description:
The Rules of Summer Book Club are simple:
No sad books
No pressure
Yesssssss, wine!
Besties Laurel and Paris are excited to welcome Cassie to the group … Since Laurel’s divorce, she feels like the Worst Mom Ever. Her skepticism of men may have scarred her vulnerable daughters … Cassie has an unfortunate habit of falling for ridiculous man-boys who dump her once she fixes them … Paris knows good men exist. She’s still reeling after chasing off the only one brave enough — and and foolish enough — to marry her.
As Laurel, Paris, and Cassie read their summer books (this year it’s romances from the 1980s), they also work through their man-issues and they learn about themselves and their relationships. At the beginning, Laurel believes that all men will let her down. Paris believes she’s incapable of mature love. Cassie believes a man wouldn’t be interested in her for herself, only for what she can do for him.
All three women learn they were oh, so wrong.
I enjoyed this book, light enough for the beach, but with enough meat on its bones to make a great book club discussion. Especially with a glass of rose’.
I loved how each character grew, then failed, then grew some more, and prevailed. The male characters aren’t caricatures, but feel like real, living humans.
I highly recommend THE SUMMER BOOK CLUB for anytime of year.
(Content: Closed door. Some language.)
I received a free advance copy of this book from the publisher, but it did not induce me to review the book, favorably or otherwise.
Isabel Buchanan is surprised at the souvenir her mother, Rose, brings home from Scotland: a tall, estate manager with a brogue. Except he’s not really the estate manager, he’s the ninth earl of Cairndow, hiding his true name and identity. Soon, his nephew, slated to become the tenth earl, though hopefully not for a long time, follows him to Highland, Georgia.
Writer of Sweet Small Town Stories of Love and Family 