The Girls of Mischief Bay by Susan Mallery – a Review

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Description:
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 at her Mischief Bay Pilates studio. Can she say enough is enough without losing the man she loves?

Sacrificing a personal life for her career is how Shannon Rigg rose to become vice president in 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 can have it all. And if she can, does she want it?

Although Pam Eiland has a beautiful house and a husband she adores, she feels… restless. She wonders who a stay-at-home mom becomes after the kids are grown. Finding sexy new ways to surprise her husband brings the heat and the 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, three very different women will discover that friends can become family, and that life is richer with sisters at your side

Review:

The Girls of Mischief Bay by Susan Mallery is the 1^st book in her new Mischief Bay series. This is a contemporary women’s fiction storyline. The Girls of Mischief Bay tells the story of three friends who live in Mischief Bay, Southern California. We meet our heroines from the start; Pam, is the oldest at 50, and she is happily married, with grown up children. Shannon is a single successful business women, who is close to reaching 40. Nicole is the youngest at around 30, with a young son, and a husband who doesn’t work, so that he can live his dreams. Throughout this story, we learn more about each of them, the differences in their lives, and watch as they all have issues that come up. But most of all, we get to see a wonderful friendship between three women, who will be there for each other.

Nicole has troubles making ends meet, taking care of her son Tyler, and working on her small business. Her husband Eric quit his job, and is working on his dream, writing a screenplay. Nicole can’t talk to Eric, as he is out all day, doesn’t help with chores, or even pay attention to either her or Tyler.

Pam begins to be self-conscious as she reaches 50, and decides to get Botox to make her look and feel better. She also convinces her husband to take a short vacation at a spa, which turns out to be a sexual retreat, which does spice up their love life.

Shannon has only been interested in her career, and had no intention of settling down. But now that she is near 40, Shannon has second thoughts, especially after she meets Adam, a widower with two young children.

As we follow the ladies, each will have the rug pulled out from under them. Nicole’s husband will surprisingly succeed, and their money situation will change. However, now that his dreams are coming true, Nicole will discover that her marriage is worse off than it was before.

A tragedy changes Pam, and her life will never be the same. Will she be able to handle it?

Shannon becomes serious with Adam, and they both want a permanent relationship, but something comes up that may cause Shannon to change her mind.

This really was a sweet story that has a bit of everything, such as romance, tragedy, humor, fun, sadness, family, cute dog, and a friendship that will persevere. Susan Mallory has taken us on a wonderful journey of life’s trials and tribulations, and the friendships that will hold the pieces together. The Girls of Mischief Bay is a wonderful start to a new series by Susan Mallery.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by publisher through Edelweiss