by Susan Mallery
About this book
When fate brings three strangers to a charming space for lease on the California coast, the Boardwalk Bookshop is born. Part bookstore, part gift shop, park bakery, it is a dream come true for Bree, Mikki and Ashley. But while their business is thriving, their personal lives are… not.
Bree, wounded by brilliant but cold parents and her late husband’s ultimate betrayal, has sworn to protect her heart at all costs. Even from Ashley’s brother, a writer and adventurer who has inspired millions. He’s the first man to see past Bree’s barricades to her true self, which terrifies her. Mikki has this divorce thing all figured out – somehow, she’s stayed friends with her ex and her in-laws… until a new man changes how everyone looks at her, and how she sees herself. Meanwhile, Ashley discovers that the love of her life never intends to marry. Can she live without being a wife if it means she can have everything else she’s ever wanted?
At sunset, every Friday on the beach in front of the Boardwalk Bookshop, the three friends share a champagne toast. As their bond grows closer, they challenge one another to become the best versions of themselves in this heartachingly beautiful story of friendship, sisterhood and the transformative power of love.
Book review
This book captures the trademark of all Susan Mallery novels – strong theme of friendship and sisterhood, witty dialogue, a charming setting and lovely small rituals among friends. I loved this beautiful story of three friends at different places in their lives, finding love and working through their personal issues.
I found it heartwarming to imagine three strangers brought together by a charming location and sharing a weekly ritual of a champagne toast. Over time, this ritual certainly serves to strengthen their friendship as they share personal stories and thoughts, and bring their bond beyond the initial business transaction. It was also very cute to have notes about the different types of champagnes peppered throughout the story, with Mikki sharing this knowledge from the ‘Ladies Know Wine’ magazine. At the end of the story, the author even added a personal touch by sharing her own notes on champagne.
As with every Susan Mallery novel, the characters are strong and flawed. While the focus is on the women in the story, the men are to be respected as well. Harding and Dave were very inspiring characters who survived accidents resulting in long rehabilitation periods and having now come out of it, wrote a book and started a non-profit to help others. Duane was dreamy and worldly, an Economics professor who helps small countries with their economic development plans in his spare time – yay to Mikki for finding her new love in him!
Rin Ranger 