Book Review for The Boardwalk Bookshop by Susan Mallery

 The Boardwalk Bookshop by Susan Mallery 

 Genre:  Romance, Women’s Fiction, Chick lit

Paperback, 448 pages

Publication: May 31st 2022 by Mira Books

 

Taken From Goodreads:  From #1 New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery—a story of friends who become family, giving each other courage to start over…

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, part bakery, it's 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 heart-achingly beautiful story of friendship, sisterhood, and the transformative power of love.

 

My Thoughts:  I love these characters.   The women who own The Boardwalk Bookshop are real, they have problems, they struggle through life, but mostly they have each other.   They support, love, and respect each other even when things are not going well.  Bree, Mikki, and Ashley came to own the shop without being friends first and now are friends more than co-owners of the same store.   Everyone should have friends like these three.

 

Susan Mallery did a great job of making her characters relatable.  Their issues were real people's issues and their reactions were real people's reactions.  I could relate on some level to each character.   They all deserved love but did not know how to get there or if they deserved it.   Ashley knew what she wanted and not being willing to settle for less was my favorite.  My heart hurt for her, but I was proud of how she handled her life and made the decisions she did.  Bree, dang her parents are not good parents.  I wanted her to find out how to love, she deserved it so much.  Mikki, oh girl… your relationship with your ex was admirable but I was glad to see her ready to move on.   

 

The Boardwalk Bookshop is classic Susan Mallery.   Three amazing women, all with their own struggles find their way to happiness together.

**Thank you Harlequin for a copy of the book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. 

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Meet Susan Mallery (taken from her website):  SUSAN MALLERY is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of novels about the relationships that define women's lives—family, friendship, romance. Library Journal says, “Mallery is the master of blending emotionally believable characters in realistic situations," and readers seem to agree—40 million copies of her books have sold worldwide. Her warm, humorous stories make the world a happier place to live.

Susan grew up in California and now lives in Seattle with her husband. She's passionate about animal welfare, especially that of the ragdoll cat and adorable poodle who think of her as mom.