User Reviews
Rating: really liked it
EXCERPT: Eight years after her divorce, Sophie Lane still wasn't very good at dating. She supposed she only had herself to blame - if she really 'put herself out there,' as her cousin Kristine was always saying, she could find someone.
From Sophie's point of view, there were multiple problems with that statement. First, Kristine had married her high school sweetheart after graduation and had been happily married for the past sixteen years. She wasn't exactly someone who should be giving dating advice. Second, Sophie didn't have a lot of time to 'put herself out there.' She was busy - she owned a company and she loved her company and all the hard work that went into keeping it successful. To be honest, her business was way more interesting than any man, which might be a big part of the dating problem. That and, well, the actual dating.
Getting dressed up, meeting for dinner, listening to a man talk about himself for three hours, wasn't exactly how she wanted to spend a lone evening when she wasn't dealing with some crisis at the office. Plus, she never quite understood all the rules.
ABOUT THIS BOOK: After her cat toy empire goes up in flames, Sophie Lane returns to Blackberry Island, determined to rebuild. Until small-town life reveals a big problem: she can’t grow unless she learns to let go. If Sophie relaxes her grip even a little, she might lose everything. Or she might finally be free to reach for the happiness and love that have eluded her for so long.
Kristine has become defined by her relationship to others. She’s a wife, a mom. As much as she adores her husband and sons, she wants something for herself—a sweet little bakery just off the waterfront. She knew changing the rules wouldn’t be easy, but she never imagined she might have to choose between her marriage and her dreams.
Like the mainland on the horizon, Heather’s goals seem beyond her grasp. Every time she manages to save for college, her mother has another crisis. Can she break free, or will she be trapped in this tiny life forever?
MY THOUGHTS: Susan Mallery always manages to make me tear up. When I read her books, I tend to get very emotional. And although I haven't read any of the previous books in this particular series, Mallery still got me with Sisters By Choice.
She writes moving stories with a warm sense of wit that has me smiling even as I am weeping. Her characters are not only strong and sassy, but overwhelmingly realistic - even the unbearable Amber. I am sure we all know someone just like her. I always feel like I have 'moved in' with her characters, they become like friends and family, and I am sad to close the cover on them.
I like Mallery's diversity - yes, there is romance, but there are always other issues, intricate family relationships complete with their inevitable dramas. And although the outcome may be predictable, the journey is an enjoyable one.
****
#SistersByChoice #NetGalley
A couple of quotes from Sisters By Choice by Susan Mallery:
'Sex is great, but sometimes you need a sandwich as well.'
'Parents can make things better and worse, and often do both at the same time.'
THE AUTHOR: #1 New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery writes heartwarming and humorous novels about the relationships that define women's lives—family, friendship, romance. She's best known for putting nuanced characters into emotionally complex, real-life situations with twists that surprise readers to laughter. Because Susan is passionate about animal welfare, pets play a big role in her books. Beloved by millions of readers worldwide, her books have been translated into 28 languages.
Critics have dubbed Mallery "the new queen of romantic fiction." (Walmart) Booklist says, "Romance novels don't get much better than Mallery's expert blend of emotional nuance, humor, and superb storytelling," and RT Book Reviews puts her "in a class by herself!" It's no wonder that her books have spent more than 200 weeks on the USA Today bestsellers list.
Although Susan majored in Accounting, she never worked as an accountant because she was published straight out of college with two books the same month. Sixteen prolific years and seventy-four books later, she hit the New York Times bestsellers list for the first time with Accidentally Yours in 2008. She made many appearances in the Top 10 before (finally) hitting #1 in 2015 with Thrill Me, the twentieth book in her most popular series, the Fool's Gold romances, and the fourth of five books released that year.
Susan lives in Washington state with her husband, two ragdoll cats, and a small poodle with delusions of grandeur. Her heart for animals has led Susan to become an active supporter of the Seattle Humane Society.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Harlequin-MIRA (USA & Canada) for providing me with a digital ARC of Sisters By Choice by Susan Mallery for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system, please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on Sandysbooksday.wordpress.com
This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
Rating: really liked it
Well this is hard. I loved this series and this latest book was a flop with me. I think the main issue that the sisters by choice only works for two of the characters. One of the characters in this story learned nothing and got rewarded for it. The character development was lacking and the dialogue was so off in some places.
"Sisters by Choice" follows business owner Sophie Lane, her cousin Kristine, and their second cousin (I think that's what she is) Heather. Sophie returns to Blackberry Island after a fire destroys her business trying to start again. Kristine a stay at home mom has bigger dreams for herself, but a husband who doesn't support her. Heather wants to leave the island and her emotionally and physically (at times) abusive mother behind for college. This book follows the three women as they try to get back on track.
So the book at times didn't seem all linked in. We know the three women interact, but mostly it is Sophie and Kristine. Heather does interact with Sophie a lot more than she does Kristine. And I did like all of the scenes with Sophie and Kristine and needed more of that. That said, the three women needed more development.
Sophie is just blind to her faults to the point I got sick of reading about them. I started to get annoyed by her and her "quirks". I also did loathe people (Kristine) acting as if her getting married was the only thing she really needed in her life. Gah. At least Mallery stuck with Sophie staying single with no kids throughout. I hate when romance writers do that well the love of a good man changed her. I personally don't want to get married or have kids. Idris Elba can show up here divorced and buck naked and that's not going to change what I want. I just didn't like her love interest (he was smug and talked down to her I thought) and hated how she was just used to prop up another character who didn't need/deserve it.
Kristine was the only story-line I was invested in. Her husband is a sexist. Heck, her one son was on the way to being one. I liked the look at how some people view stay at home moms. I didn't think the ending was realistic to her story-line.
Heather was an enabler. Her mother and her have a mutual destructive relationship. I felt bad for her at first, but as others said, she needed to get away and move on. I just thought her story-line was boring after a while.
The other characters don't really do much in this. I wish that previous characters had shown up or been mentioned. I loved this series because Blackberry Island sounded magical and fun and we don't get much of the characters interacting with the setting at all I thought.
The ending was a whatever to me. A secondary character who is the worst gets rewarded and it annoyed the life out of me.
Rating: really liked it
Favorite Quotes:
“I’ll be fine. You have eight kids to deal with. They would die without you.” Kristine laughed. “It’s three kids.” “When I visit, it feels like more.”
He sure was pretty, she thought absently. He must work out a lot to get shoulders and arms like that. Given the fact that the Lord gaveth and tooketh away in equal measure, she could only assume he had the IQ of a tree stump but that was okay. Sometimes pretty was plenty.
“You’ll be fine,” the woman added. Sophie nodded because curling up in a ball and keening didn’t look good on anyone.
It’s hard to be smug when you figure out the rest of the world is just as smart as you.
“From what you’ve told me, your mother took a difficult situation and made it worse.” “It’s a gift,” she said lightly…
“I hate it when you’re right.” “Then you hate it a lot.”
My Review:
I waffled a bit in how to rate this clever women's fiction story of friendship and family drama as a lot was going on and there were elements and characters I adored, and others – well, not so much, and still others… not at all. But every family has at least a few of those not so much and not at alls, although, unfortunately, the majority of those within my DNA grouping seem to fill those last two categories. So the feelings toward those exasperating characters were all too familiar and annoying, but that is where the similarities end as this story was vastly more amusing, intelligent, cleverly staged, and attractively populated than those trying travesties of familial gatherings of my laboriously suppressed memories. Sigh, if only…
The engaging storylines were perceptively written and highly entertaining and were peppered with sassy banter, clever quips, witty wordplay, and humorous observations. I was completely enamored, besotted, and intrigued by the sexy Dugan who was so wise and insightful he was practically mystical.
I have enjoyed every Susan Mallery book I’ve ever picked up and truly revel in her wit and levity. I always seem to learn something interesting and useful from her books. This time she taught me quite a bit about marketing, and business plans, and unlike my deadly dull Econ course during college, it wasn’t painful at all ;)
Rating: really liked it
So ... this is a hard review to write. I usually love Susan Mallerys books - light, hearted, fun reads. This latest one though, whew ... it was hard to finish. I really did not care for this story at all. The characters were so unlikeable - you just wanted to shake them. The only one that seemed to have a backbone was Kristine - I found myself rooting for her. The other women came across as sniveling, weak and entitled - you just wanted them to fail so they would grow up.
You can't win them all and, as a reader, you can't like them all. Won't stop me from reading more by Susan Mallery. Just not anymore in this particular series.
Thank you #netgalley and #HARLEQUIN - MIRA (U.S. and Canada) for the eARC.
Rating: really liked it
Awful. Not one character is likeable or believable. Nothing about this ridiculous story is realistic or conceivable . UGH I can't believe I finished it it was so bad. I kept waiting for the most miserable character to get her comeuppance, but no she's rewarded for theft, lies and viciousness. I'm disgusted....
Rating: really liked it
I despised Heathers mom Amber. I could have enjoyed the story so much more if she had not been a part of the book. With that being said. I loved the story of the cousins and was rooting for Heather the whole way through the book.
Kristine and Jaxsen were fun to follow. So glad Mallery likes happy endings.
Sophie learned a lot and I loved Dugan so much for teaching her along the way.
I love a good family now days every family in books is so dysfunctional. Well Amber was very dysfunctional.
You have to grab a copy of this and sit back and enjoy it.
Rating: really liked it
SISTERS BY CHOICE is the fourth book in the BlackBerry Island series. I did not read the previous three books in the series, but I will. This story can easily be read as a stand alone. Holy cow, SISTERS BY CHOICE is one crazy story! This wonderful novel is full of heartwarming and charming moments, even though there was a lot going on in each of the women’s lives, it was still very funny at times as well. SISTERS BY CHOICE is all about three cousins, Sophie, Kristine, and Heather, who are very close and always there for each other. Sophie micro-manages everything to a fault, Kristine lives for her family and tries to always make them happy without thinking about what would make her happy, and Heather who does not have the courage to tell her mother no and live her own life like she wants to.
SISTERS BY CHOICE is exactly why I love Susan Mallery’s books. She had me sad on one page and giggling out loud on the next. This story is all about family and the past and the life lessons are heart tugging. It had me flipping through the pages like a woman on a mission. I had to know what was going to happen to these three “sisters” and all the secondary characters. SISTERS BY CHOICE is a perfect story that will hold you hostage until the very last page. Once you start reading, it will be very hard to put down! You also won’t be able to stop yourself from getting annoyed at Amber and the way she won’t own up to anything she does!
In SISTERS BY CHOICE, all of the characters are very interesting and believable, so much so that I felt as if I’ve known them for a long time. I would love to hang out with these sisters. I’m sure they could teach me a thing or two and I know they would keep my laughing all day long! I love how Susan Mallery does that to me each and every time. She has me longing to find friends just like her characters. There is so much heart in Susan’s writing that I was left with a huge smile on my face and my heart very happy. Susan Mallery is the queen of writing heartfelt stories about sisters and family drama. If you are looking for a quick, funny, feel good story, you can’t go wrong with SISTERS BY CHOICE!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Edelweiss. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Rating: really liked it
I have been a fan of Susan Mallery for a long time and usually love everything she writes. I am sorry to say that I didn't like this book at all. I found it depressing to read about such dysfunctional women. It disgusted me that instead of helping Amber by refusing to continue to enable her "helplessness and stealing" the cousins and her daughter all caved into her in the name of family and caring. I could go on and on about all the things that I didn't like but I won't put that much energy into this . What a disappointment. Do yourself a favor and pass this one up
Rating: really liked it
Having read the first three in the Blackberry Island series, I was excited to return to the island once again. Although this is book four, it could easily be read as a stand-alone novel.
Sophie Lane has worked hard to build her business selling cat toys and supplies. When a fire destroys her business in California, she decides to reopen her business in Blackberry Island, her hometown. She's excited to be closer to her cousins and get her business back on track. But what Sophie also brought with her is a need to control everything, not trusting in the ability of others. Even when she meets the hot Tai Chi instructor she can't allow herself to let down her guard.
Kristine is a devoted wife and mother, yet she wants more for her life. She has dreamed for years of opening her own bakery. Unfortunately her husband is not that supportive. Can she find the courage to follow her dreams?
Heather desperately wants to go to college and begin her path to becoming an adult. She admires Sophie for her success, and appreciates Sophie offering her a chance to work for her. Heather's mother, Amber, is selfish, lazy and ungrateful, looking to Heather and others to take care of her. Heather struggles to cut her ties with her mother and find her own independence, despite knowing it's for the best.
With each other's support, these three cousins find the courage to follow their dreams, find love and become their best selves.
3.5 stars.
Rating: really liked it
I loved the story about Sophie and her successful cat business. The three cousins were all wonderful people. Kristine had a dream of opening up her own bakery selling cookies and brownies. Heather was the youngest cousin and all she wanted was to get off the island and go to college. Her mother, Amber, was a terrible excuse for a human being. I liked the idea that Sophie was a foster mom to pregnant cats. Dugan was a wonderful boyfriend for Sophie.
Rating: really liked it
I love Susan Mallery but this time, her characters were just not likable! Sophie was a gigantic pain in the butt and I could NOT stand her! Heather was a doormat. Kristine was the only saving grace but her husband was an idiot. The story was okay otherwise.
I was provided with an ARC of this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: really liked it
I can't share my review since it belongs to Library Journal. I like Mallery and I fly through her books. This one I didn't love because the toxic relationships were draining to read.
Rating: really liked it
I've always told my children and grandchildren that everyone we come in contact with is someone whose life we impact, whether that be in a positive or negative way. Hopefully, we take care of what we say and how we behave and interact so that we have a positive impact on others. This book exemplifies that to me. The relationships are complex, heartfelt, and raw emotions are exuded.
When I requested this book from NetGalley I did so mainly because of the title since I am a trio of sisters so it caught my eye. I had no idea that it was #4 in the Blackberry Island series, so I was questioning a few things. I like knowing the backdrop of everyone's story to help me connect the dots and better understand characters. For example, why on earth was Amber so awful? What I liked though is that the characters were believable, real, and flawed like we all are.
And then there was Jaxsen whose name (and spelling) I love, but the "attraction" ends there. He couldn't capture my heart and kept me frustrated and angry with him, but that's also life. We all have those people in our life who, no matter what we say or do, we just can't connect with them the way we'd like. Some people negatively impact us and that's just how it is.
Don't let these two characters who grabbed my attention the way they did make you think I didn't like the book or hated all of the characters (see my rating). I loved this book and it surprised me in several ways. I am definitely going back and reading the first three books now as soon as I am able.
*Thank you to NetGalley and HARLEQUIN - MIRA (U.S. and Canada) for giving me a free copy to read in exchange for my honest opinion/review.
Rating: really liked it
What the heck happened to Ms Mallery? She must have been depressed when she wrote this book. I have never read a book with so many unlikable characters. There was just so much I didn't like about just about every one. From one of the main characters that was so nasty & hatefilled to the others in her family to one who at thirty something was stupid enough to have sex with a man younger then her upon meeting him at a Tai Chi session; there wasn't even a date! Ugh! I don't want to reveal spoilers so I won't go into detail & this is just my opinion but I flipped pages to get past the ones that just made me mad & didn't find much to redeem any of the awful people inhabiting the pages. I think I will give a pass to this author from now on.
Rating: really liked it
Sisters by Choice is a lovely, heartfelt, astute tale that delves into the dynamics of families and relationship and reminds us that everyone who enters our lives, good or bad, shapes us in some ways.
