Tag: Summer books

Let’s Talk Books: THE SUMMER BOOK CLUB

Published on by Live Vi-Carrie-ously

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.

Book Talk Tuesday: THE BOARDWALK BOOKSHOP

Published on by Live Vi-Carrie-ously

School’s ending, the temps are climbing, and readers are talking about their beach books. So Susan Mallery must have a new book ready for the tote bag, right?

She absolutely does! Two, if you count The Summer Getaway that released earlier this year.

The Boardwalk Bookshop is one of three stores sharing space on a southern California beach boardwalk. Bree owns the book store, Mikki has a gift shop, and Ashley owns the bakery in between. The women began as business partners but ended up friends, meeting on the beach after work every Friday for champagne and sharing.

Bree is widowed from a man who didn’t love her and who betrayed her. She’s resolved to never love again and will do anything to protect her heart. When Ashley’s brother moves to town, she warns both Harding and Bree that he’s headed for a broken heart if they get involved. Mikki is divorced and, after a few years, finally ready to start dating again and move on. If only her ex and his parents would get on board with her plans. Ashley is in love with the perfect man. And Seth loves her, too. The only problem is he doesn’t want to get married. Live together, happily ever after? Sure. Buy a home and have kids? Absolutely. But the paper and being legal. Not so much.

Each woman sees her friends’ issues clearly, but struggles with her own.

I’m a huge Susan Mallery fan and I’ve loved nearly everything she’s written. This book though, is not a favorite. I found Bree brittle and unlikeable. She deliberately set out to hurt Harding, a man who was nothing but kind and patient with her. She’s smart enough to realize that she was angry with a dead man and hurting only herself by holding onto the anger. But she didn’t get it and preferred to stew in her bitterness.

Mikki seemed a bit dim about her ex-husband’s intentions and even dimmer about what her friendship with him would mean to her new relationship. Ashley stewed for. EVER about what to do about Seth, but when she did make her decision, I was really proud of her for how she handled herself and him.

There’s also open door sex and a lot of talk about sex, masturbation, and vibrators, to the point where I said, “All right, I get it, you like orgasms. Sheesh.” If you’re okay with that, THE BOARDWALK BOOKSHOP is an excellent beach read for your summer vacation. But if you prefer something with a little more depth, I recommend THE SUMMER GETAWAY.

I received a free advance copy of this book from the publisher, but it did not induce me to review the book, favorably or not.