AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER “THE FRIENDSHIP LIST is a must. Susan Mallery is at the top of her game.”–Fresh Fiction “Mallery beautifully illustrates the power of female friendship and the importance of reaching for one’s dreams. This irresistible, heartfelt story will appeal to romance readers and women’s fiction fans alike.”–Publishers Weekly “The Friendship List is a sassy, … Weekly
“The Friendship List is a sassy, sensuous tale about two women who discover their femininity for the first time.” –New York Journal of Books
“Best Book of August 2020.”–CNN.com
A witty, heartfelt and irresistible story about two best friends determined to help one another shake things up and live life to the fullest in a summer that will change them forever.
Susan Mallery, #1 New York Times bestselling author of California Girls and Sisters by Choice, has delivered the perfect escape about the power of female friendship and the importance of making your dreams come true.
Single mom Ellen Fox couldn’t be more content–until she overhears her son saying he can’t go to his dream college because she needs him too much. If she wants him to live his best life, she has to convince him she’s living hers.
So Unity Leandre, her best friend since forever, creates a list of challenges to push Ellen out of her comfort zone. Unity will complete the list, too, but not because she needs to change. What’s wrong with a thirtysomething widow still sleeping in her late husband’s childhood bed?
The Friendship List begins as a way to make others believe they’re just fine. But somewhere between “wear three-inch heels” and “have sex with a gorgeous guy,” Ellen and Unity discover that life is meant to be lived with joy and abandon, in a story filled with humor, heartache and regrettable tattoos.
Don’t miss The Summer Getaway by Susan Mallery where one woman discovers the beauty in chaos in a poignant and heartwarming story about the threads that hold family together.
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I’ve said it before, but now I’m doing it. I’m creating a “must read” list for my family law clients. SM’s books have so much advice to give to parents. It’s a blueprint for how adults should behave, even when faced with an abominable ex. Kids are much more resilient than parents give them credit for. And parents need to learn that it’s not all about them. If you want to be happy, you have to decide to be happy and stop borrowing trouble.
Ellen Fox is a thirty-four year old teacher who is also a single mom to seventeen year old Cooper. It’s only been them their whole lives since his father didn’t want anything to do with him. Ellen always thought she was doing a great job raising her son until she overhears him one day saying he can’t go away to his dream college because he can’t leave his mom because she needs him. This causes Ellen to rethink her whole life with her lifelong, best friend, Unity Leandre. Unity is a thirty-four year old widow who lost her husband, Stuart, three years ago in combat. Ellen and Unity both realize that they are not truly living life and each come up with a list stating all of the things they wanted to do by the end of summer. The one who does the most on their list wins a weekend at the fancy spa paid for by the other!
Ellen is also good friends with Coach Keith Kinne, who coaches Coop in football. Keith is a divorced, single dad of seventeen year old Lissa. When Ellen and Coop go on a three week college visit bus tour with Keith, Lissa, and other high school students, sparks start to fly between Ellen and Keith. At first they are not sure if they want to cross that line, but once they do, Ellen realizes all that she has been missing out on. When Ellen confesses her list to Keith, he is determined to help her cross more items off of it.
While Ellen is gone for three weeks, Unity meets Thaddeus Roake, great-nephew of one of her elderly clients. Unity is drawn to Thaddeus, but is also reluctant to move past grieving for Stuart. As Unity and Thaddeus spend more time together, Unity is starting to realize that she is also missing out on many things in her life. Just when it looks like she might move past Stuart, panic sets in and Unity withdraws from life.
It will take a lot of soul searching for both Ellen and Unity to understand how they have been actually living their lives and make the changes necessary for them to both be truly happy but in the end, they will both find their happy ending.
I really enjoyed this story. I liked all of the characters, especially the interaction between the teenagers. Some of the things that the adults talked to the teenagers about I was a little skeptical because I know most teenagers do not talk about those topics with most adults but it still made for fun entertainment. Overall this was a fun story about two women finding themselves again.
Bonded from childhood, main characters Ellen and Unity were the best of friends from early on. Each have their own set of life circumstances that have kept them from moving forward with their own personal lives. Together this duo figures out a way to elevate and experience a better life. It’s a great book to read and leaves you with warm fuzzies about life and overcoming obstacles. Loved both of the main characters and their sweet personalities and also how the author developed each of them throughout the book. Very realistic relationship issues and you could actually feel them with each character. Susan Mallery has delivered another home run with The Friendship List.
Unity and Ellen have a long history together. They are old and dear friends who support each other through both a teen pregnancy as well as young widowhood. They aren’t afraid to be honest with the other, but they each have problems being honest with themselves. Each is a sympathetic character, but they are both frustrating women as well. Once they decide to make “life lists”, their journeys to pull themselves out of their ruts start out strong…but one of them definitely drags her feet. I’m trying not to reveal any spoilers, so you’ll need to read their story yourself!
I will say I really loved how Mallery wrote all the characters, but especially those so-called secondary characters…Keith and Thaddeus, the women’s potential love interests, Keith’s daughter Lissa, Ellen’s son Luca and a few others. In actuality, I enjoyed them more so than Ellen and Unity! Frankly, I have this issue a lot with books that bend more towards women’s fiction than romance, which is my main reading genre.
That all said, I would definitely recommend this book to readers of all genres. Ms. Mallery’s easy writing style made this a couldn’t-put-down story for this voracious reader.
I loved The Friendship List. Just absolutely adored the whole story. I think so many can relate to this story & it makes you (at least it did for me) do some soul searching. It’s a story about friendship, & family, & just embracing every bit of life that you can.
Another amazing story from Susan Mallery
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
I really like how she wrote the friendship between Ellen & Unity. A little disagreement between the two and. Ellen worried about her son leads to a “Friendship List”. It’s a list of things they need to work on in their lives.
Ellen seems to work on hers right away, it take Unity a little longer to work things out. The find their heroes Keith and Thaddeus.
I like the friendship they have but also all the other characters in this book makes it a really good story.
Can 2 best friends tell each other their shortcomings to enable them to grow and find love? Will they have the courage to take the steps to make the changes? The rewards they both get when they do is wonderful.
This book is a treasure! Friendship turns to love in this novel that was both witty and hilarious, as well as steamy! The author had me in stitches at times. This was a great read and has sealed the deal in my becoming a true Susan Mallery fan.
For the most part, I really liked this book. I think there is a real grain of bitter reality in this inspiring and entertaining read. I thought Ellen and Unity were easy to relate to and I think that more than just one reader is going to spot some reflection of themselves in these characters. I thought the story was engaging involving. As someone who clings to my comfort zone, detests change and has personally suffered loss and has had a very difficult time letting go and moving on, I felt this book spoke to me on a extremely personal level. I enjoyed these two getting their “wake-up” call and the journey they undertook to make changes in their lives. My one pet peeve with the book was that I felt these drastic changes simply went too smoothly. Other than that, I thought that this was a winner. A great read about self, friendship, family and romance. This is my sincere review that I am posting of my own accord.
Mallory doesn’t disappoint in her latest novel, The Friendship List. Well developed characters drive this story with witty and emotional dialog. If you are looking for a book with plenty of feels, this one is highly recommended to fans of the women’s fiction genre.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a complementary copy of this book.
The Friendship List by Susan Mallery
Two childhood friends
One a widow the other a single parent
Both have baggage they need to deal with
Why?
They need to move on with their lives and truly live!
A catalyst is needed but will it be enough?
Are they ready and willing to change?
And, if willing, will they be able to do what is necessary?
What I liked:
* The friendship between Unity and Ellen
* The eventual personal growth of both women
* The fact that both women were able to earn a good living in spite of everything
* Dagmar – Unity’s wise older friend with good sense and years of experience
* The teens…sometimes they seemed more mature than the adults
* Thaddeus: a good man that deserved the best – a great book boyfriend
* Keith: a coach, father, and overall good man though a bit neurotic about keeping his daughter safe
* That there was a happy ending for all
What I didn’t like:
* More a quibble than a dislike- I had a bit of difficulty believing that two 34-year-old women would behave as Unity and Ellen did…they seemed, in some ways, to have been stunted in their teens although their backstories indicated why this might have happened
* Wondering what happened to Luka – missed him in the epilogue
Did I enjoy this book? For the most part
Would I read more books by this author? Yes
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin for the ARC – This is my honest review.
3-4 Stars
The summer read that reminds us sometimes things really need to change to kick us out of our ruts and find something amazing. Perfect for anyone in need of a pick-me-up.
Great story and loved the characters. Ellen and Unity both went on an emotional journey when they thought they were just going to mark a few things off of their list. Ellen had a son when she was just a teenager. Now she is in her 30’s, her son is thinking about college and she has never had an adult relationship. Unity is a widow in her 30’s and is quite content living in her husband’s old bedroom and running a business out of her garage. Then one day she gets kicked out of the pickleball league and then the grief counseling group. She really doesn’t need to change, does she? When she meets a very nice man, she is scared to death. What should she do? She realizes that she has closed off her life from love, but if she lets someone else in, what about her husband? Will she lose what she had with him?
Ellen has been good friends with Keith for a long time, but when she starts wearing the correct size clothing (one item on the list), he really notices her. Then their relationship changes. But if Ellen gives into love, what will Keith expect of her? Her parents seem to put a price on love, so he will probably make some rules for them to follow. Can she do that?
Both women have to do some changing and growing. It is a painful process, but necessary. Can they do it?
This delightful story sure to be a 2020 beach read favorite. Ellen and Unity have a lifelong friendship, a connection so deep they can finish each other’s sentences. They’ve supported each other through single parenthood and the loss of spouse. When Ellen overhears her soon to be college bound son say he can’t go away to college, because he’s all his mom has, the subsequent need to change her life is born. This prompts Unity to create a list for Ellen, and for herself. Challenges that fulfill a long list of life to do’s, and the friendship list is born.
This is such a great story focusing on the character growth for two women in their mid-thirties. They are driven by some low-level competitiveness, but really because they both begin feeling how each and activity changes them. Some are subtle, some are much bigger.
Ellen needs a reboot on her self-perception. She never doubts her intelligence, and she’s outgoing enough, but the changes she makes open her up for the possibility of romance and love. She needs to learn to trust her loved ones and herself. Unity on the other hand is really stuck in her grief and the past. The death of her husband leaves her desire for a family, for children, a casualty as well. It seems unlikely she’ll ever get over him and even when a love interest insinuates himself in her heart, she self-sabotages their chance at togetherness.
I loved the pacing of the story and how each woman go through multiple “growth spurts”. These little lesson along the way add up and ultimately, as individuals, they recognize their strength, both apart and together. The epilogue is wonderful and left me really satisfied and very happy. 4.5 stars and recommendation!
Oh my gosh! I loved this book so much. I can’t believe that I haven’t read Susan Mallery’s books before now. If her other books are just as good, and I’m sure they are, then I have some catching up to do, for sure.
The Friendship List focuses on the interesting and fun characters, Ellen and Unity. Different as night and day, but best friends since forever. On the other hand, they are the same in the respect that they are both stuck in the ruts of their lives and don’t know how to get out—or even if they want to.
Thus the lists are created, each of them thinking they are doing them to help the other one change. Working through the lists is where the fun comes in as the two women step outside their comfort zones to try to find their way to happiness.
I devoured this book and highly recommend it. I definitely will be checking out more of Susan’s books. Seriously, how have I not read her books before now??
Favorite Quotes:
She’s a wizened old cow who hasn’t had sex in over a decade. I’m sure her girl parts are about as interesting as day-old bread.
“Are you wearing eyeliner?” “Yes. And it’s not easy to put on. I tried a smoky eye yesterday, but I just looked like I got in a fight.”
It’s all I can think about. I’m glowing so much, I’m practically radioactive.
My Review:
As with every Susan Mallery book I have been lucky enough to stumble upon, The Friendship List was better than an all-day all-you-can-eat and carryout trip to Willy Wonka’s. It was good fun with several cleverly written, witty, and highly entertaining storylines that held something for everyone. I adore and covet Susan Mallery’s writing style, she is a master storyteller and I quickly fall into her smoothly scrolling tales that seem to be populated with oddly endearing characters who are delightfully easy to know while realistically flawed and endeavoring for improvement. Her dialogues and observant narratives are crisp and lively yet comfortable and a pleasure to navigate. Of course, my favorite character in this tale was the all-wise and lovely Dagmar, a woman I am sure was crafted by the use of hidden cameras following me!
While I didn’t have one thing in common with the main characters I enjoyed them anyway. Unity was a grieving young widow who was stagnant and unable to move on even after three years, and Ellen was a single mom of a teen who had not been on a date since becoming pregnant as a teen herself. Their friendship and sassy banter sparkled with delightful humor and were a welcome reprieve and absolute joy after a reading a slate of tense thrillers. I have decided I need a regular infusion of Susan Mallery in my life for good balance.
Ohhh wow! I have to say I wasn’t sure what to expect with this one. Ms. Mallery is an auto-buy for me but still with this one I wasn’t sure. But she hit it out of the park! The characters are so believable and realistic that every reader should be able to find a character to connect with. The story line is powerful and honest. I could see my moma, who had me at an early age, but I also saw myself who didn’t. The heartbreak felt by the characters at different stages and times we honest and heartfelt and so very easy to feel yourself. At times I cried, I laughed out loud, I sighed, I wanted to shake someone so I shook my kindle,… It’s one of those stories that you Feel! You will end up being so happy you read this one while at the same time hating to see the story end. I so want to see Ms. Mallery write another story including these characters. I want to see the teens, need their own stories.
I agree with others that this is a story of lifelong friendship, but it’s more than that. It’s a story of grieving and finding a way to move on. It’s a story of growing up and somehow allowing those you love to grow as well. It’s a story of learning to trust when it’s not something you want to do. It’s a story of allowing those you love to make mistakes when you really want to stop them from doing so. It’s a story about life and how messy and wonderful and fun and heartbreaking it can be. It’s a story about family being more than blood. It’s well its a great story that I feel will touch you in unexpected ways. You may find yourself wanting to make your own list. And you maybe taking another look at the things you’ve taken for granted in your own life and loves. I highly recommend this one to everyone. It has romance, it has growth, it has life… It has everything. Such a great story and I can’t wait to read more from Ms. Mallery. I suggest you pick up a copy today and be prepared to stay up all night reading!
Thanks go to the publisher and Net-Galley for the complimentary copy of The Friendship List by Susan Mallery for the purpose of reading and reviewing prior to publication. My opinions are my own, and no one has influenced them.
The Friendship List is a well-written novel with complex characters and a plot that will tug at your heart. The pacing pulled me in from the start and held me in its thrall until the fulfilling ending.
The MCs are two women who have been friends most of their lives. Each finds themselves stuck in the past and afraid to move forward. The story follows each woman through their journey to overcome their fear. They put together a list to help them and make it a competition.
Ellen Fox’s character has a seventeen-year-old son and has lived for him. She got pregnant the only time she had sex at seventeen and has never ventured into the dating pool. She’d become great friends with the coach and teacher at the school where she teaches.
Unity Leandre’s character is a jack of all trades, a woman who married her childhood sweetheart. Her husband was in the military and lost his life while serving his country. Unity can’t let him go. They had lived with his mother in her house, and although both the mother and her husband have died, she still sleeps in the bed in his childhood bedroom and has changed nothing. She truly stuck in the past and sees no reason to move on.
The Friendship List shows tremendous growth for Ellen and Unity as they go about accomplishing their lists. While Unity only suggested the list to help Ellen, who fears her son will miss out on the full college experience because she’s overheard him telling this to a friend, but when Ellen begins accomplishing her objectives, she feels compelled to do so as well.
Ellen finds out her good buddy, Keith, the coach is hot and can be more than a friend. I loved them together and wanted them to find their happy ending, which proves complicated, to say the least.
Unity meets Thaddeus through a friend, and because of the list, she jumps into a sexual relationship before she’s ready. They too are perfect for each other, but how does Unity become ready? Their romance is also complex, making it difficult for them to find their happy ending, but I really want that for them.
If you enjoy novels with massive character development where each MS learns life lessons along the way and a story that pulls you into their lives and the lives of their children and friends, then you will love The Friendship List as much as I did. While I’ve read and listened to many of Ms. Mallery’s books, this is the first I’ve had the privilege of receiving an advance copy. I am so pleased I had the chance to read this book and will continue to read and listen to other stories by her. Happy reading!
Linda’s Book Obsession Reviews “The Friendship List” by Susan Mallery, HQN Books, August 4, 2020
Susan Mallery, the author of “The Friendship List” has written an entertaining, intriguing, memorable, and thought-provoking book. The genres for this book are Women’s fiction and contemporary fiction. There also is some humor and romance. The novel timeline for this novel is set in the present and goes to the past when it pertains to the characters or events. The author describes the characters as complex, complicated, and confused.
Ellen Fox is a teacher and single mom of a teenage son that will be entering his senior year of college and is thinking of college. Ellen is really surprised to hear him saying that he doesn’t want to go too far away from home because he doesn’t want his mom alone.
Unity Leandre is a young widow and Ellen’s best friend. Unity’s husband died in service to his country, and Unity still is mourning him after several years.
The two friends sit down and write a list of challenges, that bring them out of their comfort zones, so they can look like they are living their lives to the fullest and making changes. Is there a possibility that women can and want to change? What will happen if they do change and meet the challenge list?
This is a witty, heartwarming, memorable, and thought-provoking story. I appreciate that the author describes the importance of family, friends, taking chances, love, and hope. I would highly recommend this enjoyable book.
The Friendship List is a heartwarming, coming into yourself, emotional read. I love the closeness of Ellen and Unity. Both ladies need a little push in life. And once they give each other that little push needed they really blossom and come into their own. I love how Ellen is challenged to get out of her comfort zone when it comes to how she is dressing and take a chance on life. She is a wonderful single mom and it is past her time to feel like a women again not just a mom. Her friendship with Keith is almost perfect. I love how they both get knocked over the head when it comes to the shift in their relationship. They fit so well together. When it comes to Unity you really feel for her. Widowed at a young age she has a hard time getting over her first love Stuart. You do not see much light in her when it comes to moving on until she receives a few pushes from Ellen and Dagmar. I love Dagmar and her meddling ways. Thaddeus is Unity’s perfect match but you get why both don’t jump right in. I love how they take their time and how Thaddeus feels things out when it comes to Unity. He is the final push she needs. Once she realizes that you will love the growth Unity goes through. This is a sweet book of friendship, starting over again and rediscovery. I laughed and cried. My heart ached at times but by the end of this book I had a huge smile on my face. I love what Susan Mallery brings to the table in this one.