by Susan Mallery
About this book
Three sisters, after getting dumped in the same week, set out to help each other start over and rebuild their lives.
Finola, a popular LA morning-show host, is famously upbeat until she’s blindsided on live TV by the news that her husband is sleeping with a young pop sensation who has set their affair to music. While avoiding the tabloids and pretending she’s just fine, she’s crumbling inside, desperate for him to come to his senses and for life to go back to normal.
Zennie’s breakup is no big loss, Although the world insists she pair up she’d rather be surfing. So agreeing to be the surrogate for her best friend is a no-brainer – after all, she has an available womb and no other attachments to worry about. Except… when everyone else, including her big sister thinks she’s making a huge mistake, being pregnant is a lot lonelier – and more complicated – than she imgained.
Never the tallest, thinnest or prettiest sister, Ali is used to being overlooked but when her fiance sends his disapproving brother to call off the wedding, it’s a new low. And yet Daniel continues to turn up “for support”, making Ali wonder if maybe – for once – someone sees her in a way no one ever has.
Book review
By now you probably know I’m a big fan of Susan Mallery. This book however, does not hit it for me.
While the writing is superb, this story feels less satisfying. Maybe it’s because out of the three sisters, only Ali seems to have had the classic happily ever after with a great guy. The ending for Finola and Zennie seemed rather lacklustre.
Finola seems self-centred and uppity, and ultra focused on her career. The story sees her growing in character towards the end, recognizing her own role in her failed marriage and making peace with her ex-husband, but she did not find a true love in the end.
Zennie’s ending with Clark was more of a slow burn – she initially rejected him but started to slowly accept and appreciate him as he stayed by her side during her pregnancy. Maybe he is more of a supporting character; while Clark is supportive and sweet, his character felt rather flat and definitely not romance hero material.
I liked Ali and Daniel best. Ali seems the most pure-hearted out of the three sisters, and Daniel is a great guy who is quietly by her side supporting her through the breakup with his brother. Turns out he’s been secretly in love with her for a long time, so it’s nice to see them get together finally.
Rin Ranger 