In this insightful and compelling story from book club favorite Susan Mallery, three close friends test the boundaries of how much a woman can give before she has nothing left
After five years as a stay-at-home mom, Gabby Schaefer can’t wait to return to work. Oh, to use the bathroom in peace! No twins clamoring at the door, no husband barging in, no stepdaughter throwing a tantrum. But when … tantrum. But when her plans are derailed by some shocking news and her husband’s crushing expectations, Gabby must fight for the right to have a life of her own.
Getting pregnant is easy for Hayley Batchelor. Staying pregnant is the hard part. Her husband is worried about the expensive fertility treatments and frantic about the threat to her health. But to Hayley, a woman who was born to be a mom should risk everything to fulfill her destiny–no matter how high the cost.
Nicole Lord is still shell-shocked by a divorce that wasn’t as painful as it should’ve been. Other than the son they share, her ex-husband left barely a ripple in her life. A great new guy tempts her to believe maybe the second time’s the charm…but how can she trust herself to recognize true love?
As their bonds of friendship deepen against the beautiful backdrop of Mischief Bay, Gabby, Hayley and Nicole will rely on good food, good wine and especially each other to navigate life’s toughest changes.
Look for another compelling story in the Mischief Bay series, The Girls of Mischief Bay by Susan Mallery. Order your copy today!
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Great read!
This second book of the Mischief Bay series is so good! I was very sad when I read the final words. Miss Mallery is so good at getting inside each of her characters…..it’s like she has first hand knowledge of their fears and concerns.
This is a story of three friends; one afraid to take on a second chance at love; one yearning for biological babies she can never have; and, one wanting what “use to be” only to discover she’s happiest with what is. With the help and love of family and friends each of these gals take their sometimes bumpy journeys to their happy destinations. (less)
I always like Susan Mallery’s books. This one didn’t disappoint. I like the three different relationships going on in the novel. I also liked how the three women confide in their friends about what’s going on in their lives. In these type of books you always know the outcome will mostly end up happy but I like to see the struggles they go through to get there.
The Friends We Keep by Susan Mallery
It is a book that tells three friends stories at the same time.
Really well written and easy to follow.
First Couple Gabby and Andrews story, she has been a stay at home mom and is looking forward to going back to work.
Second Couple Hayley and Rob, Hayley wants a baby of her own more than anything and is devastated when she can not it really puts a strain on their marriage, she meets Noah a foster child.
Third Couple Nicole and Jairus, Nicole has a hard time letting anyone in after her divorce.
This book is so good because it deals with so many issues and at least shows you how the characters deal with them. I totally recommend this book to anyone looking for a good book to read. Lots of romance and good friends in this book.
Favorite Quotes:
While she envied her sister-in-law her careers, she wouldn’t have given up the twins for anything. She’d always wanted both. But that decision left her to wonder if having it all meant doing a lot of it badly.
How do you know that? Guys aren’t supposed to be insightful. Stop it right now.
She wanted to throw something at him. Like a shoe. Or a building. What on earth had he been thinking?
Nicole felt the carefully constructed wall around her heart crumble to dust. How was she supposed to resist a guy who was so good to her son? Who was inherently patient and kind with children?
I suspect Lisa hates most people. You don’t get to use her opinion of you to feel special. I’m sorry to say.
At one time she’d wanted to spend the rest of her life with him. If she thought he was a dick now, what did that say about her taste?
Everyone slack-jawed in amazement. She supposed that made this one of those life-changing moments people were always talking about. She should try to remember every detail.
My Review:
This was my first Susan Mallery read; now I see what all the fuss was about… it was exceptional! I adored this trio of women and had the utmost respect for them. There were three separate storylines going at once, yet they occasionally intersect and combined in a well-crafted and perfected paced manner. I felt an instant connection to this trio although I have absolutely nothing in common with either of them. The writing was involving, emotive, and engrossing. The problems facing each of the friends were realistic and at times appeared untenable, yet the plot held my attention beginning to end and resolved in the best possible fashion. More, please.
Loved the book! Enjoyed reading the continuation of the lives of the gals from Mischief Bay. Susan Mallery writes a tremendous story that keeps you interested until the end. I’m wondering what will happen next. This is a great book about a small town and the close friends that Luce there. I was hooked from the beginning and hated to put it down as I followed the lives of Haley, Gabby & Nichole.