Everything is falling apart for the women. Pam’s husband suddenly died and she’s struggling to keep moving forward. Nicole never signed up to be a single parent, but her husband is no where to be found. Shannon has been at odds with her boyfriend about their future. The three women have always supported each other and been there through all the good and bad. Will they be able to pull together once more, or will the future hold very different paths?
Susan Mallery is a best-selling romance novelist with multiple reader favorite series such as Fool’s Gold, Blackberry Island, and Mischief Bay. The inaugural novel in the latter, The Girls of Mischief Bay, follows three women at different stages of life, supporting one another through thick and thin. With plenty of romance included, Mallery does not shy away from difficult topics and real life situations. This is a book about the value of a support network and what it means to be a true friend.
I give The Girls of Mischief Bay 4 out of 5 stars. I was really drawn to the way these women connected to each other, even though they aren’t in the same stage of life. I like the way Pam mothers the others, but then they return the caring behavior. I also appreciate the way Nicole’s life as a working mom is portrayed with a relatable view – how to get the kids out of the house in the morning, work all day, and then feed and play at night. Shannon’s storyline keeps the typical romance reader interested as well. I was able to connect well with all three women and the supporting characters, but something just felt like it was missing otherwise. I also found the later part of Pam’s storyline troublesome and unexpected for a romance. While it may be realistic, it was not what I was prepared for in this novel.
Given themes of spousal loss, suicidal thoughts and depression, as well as spousal/parental abandonment, I would caution sensitive readers against this book. If you prefer fiction with just a hint of romance, you may enjoy this book. I do think this would be a great book club discussion given the multiple main characters and their struggles. Considering all of these points, this is not a book I’d recommend without understanding what the reader may find interesting and triggering.
I chose The Girls of Mischief Bay for the Read With Lindsey Reading Challenge prompt “Spouses”. My husband and I celebrated a decade of marriage this past Friday and I was looking to read a more marriage-driven plot line. This definitely fits that bill. While I relate to more than one of the women in this book in our own personal journey, I was not prepared for the mental health challenges covered in this novel. It was a bit off-putting. It was a quick read for me though and an overall great read!
This post contains affiliate links.
What I’m Reading
- Current print book: Christmas With the Queen, Hazel Gaynor & Heather Webb
- Current audio book: The Party Line, Carolyn Brown
- Book I’m most looking forward to: A Discovery of Witches, Deborah Harkness
Discover more from Read With Lindsey
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
One thought on “The Girls of Mischief Bay”