The Friends We Keep: A Novel (Mischief Bay)

I was provided an ARC by the author for an honest unbiased review.

Susan Mallery has hit another one out of the park! She made me cry – in a good way though. I’ve read lots of authors and love to read so when she has a new book out, I get it whether I’m done with one or not. Her style is so unique and wraps you up and hugs you with the deep emotions. In this book, she has captured real life and not just the fairy tale HEA that we all expect from most romance genre books today. If you are expecting a light read or hot steamy scenes, you won’t get that. What you will get is an intense yet playful read about the highs and lows of life and being in love.

The ladies in this book haven’t always been friends, some are really new to each other and some are intertwined with Mischief Bay history. Nicole is a single parent of Tyler whose father left them for the glamour of Hollywood. She owns her own exercise studio and isn’t looking for a man, doesn’t want one, and for the most part doesn’t trust them. Especially ones who write about red dragon called Brad! She’s had enough of B the D but her son won as essay contest so he gets to meet the author, that man who writes.

Hayley just wants a baby of her own because growing up adopted, she never felt like she was really loved. It had more to do with her b**** of a sister but until she faced a health crisis, it never occurred to her that she was just as important to her parents as their biological child. She had a loving husband but almost lost him with her need to do just about anything for a child.

And then there’s Gabby. She is the second wife raising their twins and his daughter, who can do no wrong. She’s finally going back to work because the twins are in school. But don’t we all know how life throws you a curve sometimes? A pregnant teenager and a dream job that’s not so great end up changing the direction of her life as well.

Their lives are active, busy and emotionally exhausting at times. It takes each one of them to show each other that you have to take chances and make choices if you want to reach happiness and fulfillment in life.

As I was reading this book by Susan Mallery, I found myself really invested in the characters. I was drawn into the storyline within the first couple of pages and felt as though I was experiencing the emotions of the characters. I thought that Susan did an excellent job writing a story that involved romance but focused more on the relationship aspect and the complexities that are part of relationships which makes it more realistic to the readers. I highly recommend this book to those looking for a realistic storyline!

Ten thumbs up for another great Mallery book. If you read book #1of Mischief Bay, then you are in for a treat with book 2. The story will draw you in as you read. I always love Mallery's novels off friendship and family. I laugh and cry and shout out loud sometimes when I read. This one was hard to put down and quickly gets you get absorbed into story. I loved it and won't give story line away just read and enjoy and I'm sure you will agree.

My fingers itched last summer to read The Girls of Mischief Bay last summer, and when I finally got a copy in my hands, I was so glued to the stories, loving them all the while. Its sequel, The Friends We Keep, does not disappoint. Again, I was glued to the story. Love how it jumped between characters and focused on their lives. It had some references to Fool's Gold as well, which I got a kick out of. The stories were very well written. This book was truly was a story about friends, their lives, and how they interact/intersect. A must-read!

I knew I’d like this book just by reading the title! I get that friends make or break a crisis. Nicole, Gabby and Haley were trying hard to handle their problems on their own. As they visit with each other, they get insight to the situation and get the support they need to move forward. I was able to relate to all the women in this story, but there are a lot of issues behind the scenes I could not have imagined. Thanks again for a great book.

The Friends We Keep by Susan Mallery is a great amazingly well written story of three women at differing stages of their lives. We get a glimpse into the lives of three women living ing Mychief Bay, CA all at a different crossroads in their lives . Mallerys storytelling makes you feel like you are there and you can fell their emotions and thoughts jumping off the page. This was a can't put down read that really shows the reselunce and determination and love women posses.

The best way I can say it is this - I am missing my friends now that I have finished this book! I feel that I know each of these women personally and wanted to laugh and cry with them. I had to make myself slow down reading it so the fun would last longer...you know what I mean if you have ever read a book you just didn't want to end. Hopefully they will make a return visit in a later book. This will definitely be added to my favorite list!

A great Mischief Bay novel! The circle of friends widens a bit for this novel which revolves around Nicole, Gabby, and Haley. As we follow their stories, the characters from the previous novel appear so that we can catch up with them. Teenage pregnancy, absentee father, infertility, and adoption are just some of the issues that are dealt with. Another great book by my favorite author!

What a wonderful story! That is not to say that everything in it is wonderful. There are some deep issues in this book, but it is so well written, that I absolutely loved it! I finished this book with tears in my eyes, doing a happy dance, because this author came through with a great read. If you want to read a book full of life issues that resolve themselves in a very good way, this is the book for you! I highly recommend!

This sequel to The Girls of Mischief Bay was even better than I anticipated. Susan Mallery has a way of hitting readers right where they need it most. As someone that is fortunate enough to have a tight circle of friends like the women in The Friends We Keep, I totally sympathized, laughed, cried and celebrated with the characters. Susan’s storylines make you think and reevaluate areas of your life and friendships, and I love that about her books. Readers will not be disappointed.

This author never disappoints me as her books are always remarkable. This story line is full of self- doubt, heartache, regret, as well as joy and love. The characters have an undeniable bond of friendship that is rare. Together, Gabby, Hayley and Nicole journey through the ups and downs of life's obstacles in search of true life long happiness! Well worth reading! Loved it immensely!

Gifted a copy for an honest review.

The Friends We Keep is about all the different kinds of love. It is about love growing between strangers and love growing inside a marriage. It is about love for your children and love for someone else's children. It is about loving your close friends and letting them love you back. In the end it is also about loving yourself enough to be able to love anyone else. I loved this book and will look forward to the next in the series.

This is the second book in Susan Mallery's newest series - Mischief Bay - and just like the first one in the series, this one was just as good. The three main characters - Gabby, Nicole and Hayley - are all going through various changes in their personal lives and most don't know how to deal with these changes right away. As typical with Mallery's book each character prevails and experiences some type of happy ending. This book was often predictable but in a good, romantic way....Mallery's book wouldn't be the same if they were not some-what predictable. I would definitely recommend this book to everyone.

This is a wonderful story. I started it toward the end of the week and finished on Saturday as I literally was having a hard time putting it down. The characters are wonderfully developed with story lines that make you want to know what happens to them. This is also a book where the characters have a rough time getting to their happy ending. It dealt with some big social issues in a very insightful way. Loved it!

Gabby, Nicole, and Hayley, girlfriends at different phase in their lives, lean on each other while maneuvering life's obstacles. Gabby eager to get back to being a lawyer, is drained from being a stay-at-home mom of twins, is thrown a curveball with her step daughter's, Mikayla, unplanned pregnancy and her husband, Andrew's unrealistic expectations of her. While Nicole and Tyler, still reeling from Eric's departure from Tyler's life, she meets Jairus, Brad the Dragon's creator, and falls anxiously in love with him, Hayley and Rob move pass her myopic quest for a baby to adopting eleven year old Noah.

All three subplots were well written, and the character development hooked the readers from chapter one to the very end. The characters were flawed and a tad 'whinny' at times, but they all matured, learnt from their individual 'yokes', and grew into beloved characters. I particularly loved the final resolution of Hayley and her younger sister, Shannon, adult sibling relationship. Topics breached in the novel ranged from teenage pregnancy, the foster care system, to adoption, infertility, and first relationships after divorce.

I love this new series as much as Ms. Mallery's "Fool's Gold" series. 4/17/16.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I could not put it down. I loved the three different story lines and how they intertwined with each other. Each woman's story was different and very real. I love how strong these women are and the choices they all make. When I finished the book, it made me feel very happy with the choices everyone had made. I have never been disappointed in any book of Susan Mallery! I have them all!

The Friends We Keep follows three intertwined story lines. Three friends are each struggling with the fears that have kept them locked in patterns that don't serve their greatest joy. As the story unfolds, each woman finds a reason that compels her to look at her demons and make a number of new choices. The power in this story comes from the honest characterization of real fears and problems and then shows the gift that every difficulty carries in its hands. You never know what help your greatest challenges are bringing you.

Susan Mallery continues her Mischief Bay series with The Friends We Keep. Mallery is wonderful at not only creating wonderful towns we all want to live in but also brilliantly illustrates the complex lives, loves, and relationships between women. Gabby Schaefer is a wonderful mother and wife who longs for a return to work and a sense of self. Hayley Batchelor longs for motherhood and is willing to risk her health and her marriage to become pregnant. Nicole Lord is recovering from a divorce and finds herself attracted to a man she thinks she abhors.
Mallery manages to capture the range of emotions that we all face in real life. The Friends We Keep portrays the dilemmas, heartbreak, and joy we all face in our daily loves. Mallery does not gloss over the complexities of life all woman face.
I cannot recommend The Friends We Keep enough to all my friends. The Mischief Bay novels are an exciting addition to Susan Mallery's romance career. She masterfully portrays the complexities that all modern women face. We all struggle with our feelings about children, marriage, divorce, and starting over. I am a long time Mallery fan and The Friends We Keep just cements my love for her as a rich, wonderful storyteller!

The Friends We Keep is an amazing story about friends that stick together through life's up and downs. It shows us the emotions people deal with in different situations and how they can come out of it, maybe not with out a few scars, but they can grow as a person and move on. Gabby, Hayley and Nichole will have you laughing out loud one moment then needing a box of tissues the next. Susan Mallery definitely knows how to pull at your heart strings.

I knew I’d like this book just by reading the title! I get that friends make or break a crisis. Nicole, Gabby and Haley were trying hard to handle their problems on their own. As they visit with each other, they get insight to the situation and get the support they need to move forward. I was able to relate to all the women in this story, but there are a lot of issues behind the scenes I could not have imagined. Thanks again for a great book.

The Friends We Keep by Susan Mallery is a great amazingly well written story of three women at differing stages of their lives. We get a glimpse into the lives of three women living ing Mychief Bay, CA all at a different crossroads in their lives . Mallerys storytelling makes you feel like you are there and you can fell their emotions and thoughts jumping off the page. This was a can't put down read that really shows the reselunce and determination and love women posses.

The best way I can say it is this - I am missing my friends now that I have finished this book! I feel that I know each of these women personally and wanted to laugh and cry with them. I had to make myself slow down reading it so the fun would last longer...you know what I mean if you have ever read a book you just didn't want to end. Hopefully they will make a return visit in a later book. This will definitely be added to my favorite list!

A great Mischief Bay novel! The circle of friends widens a bit for this novel which revolves around Nicole, Gabby, and Haley. As we follow their stories, the characters from the previous novel appear so that we can catch up with them. Teenage pregnancy, absentee father, infertility, and adoption are just some of the issues that are dealt with. Another great book by my favorite author!

This is the second book in a series set in Mischief bay. It follows three friends who have been through a lot together and no matter what they are always there for each other. What I really liked about this book was how it showed the many sides of parenting - the good and the bad. How you treat your children, how they respond to that and how it affects your marriage. Can't wait for the next book in this series and see what these women are up to! If you haven't read anything by Susan Mallery you should check her out!

What a wonderful story! That is not to say that everything in it is wonderful. There are some deep issues in this book, but it is so well written, that I absolutely loved it! I finished this book with tears in my eyes, doing a happy dance, because this author came through with a great read. If you want to read a book full of life issues that resolve themselves in a very good way, this is the book for you! I highly recommend!

This sequel to The Girls of Mischief Bay was even better than I anticipated. Susan Mallery has a way of hitting readers right where they need it most. As someone that is fortunate enough to have a tight circle of friends like the women in The Friends We Keep, I totally sympathized, laughed, cried and celebrated with the characters. Susan’s storylines make you think and reevaluate areas of your life and friendships, and I love that about her books. Readers will not be disappointed.

This author never disappoints me as her books are always remarkable. This story line is full of self- doubt, heartache, regret, as well as joy and love. The characters have an undeniable bond of friendship that is rare. Together, Gabby, Hayley and Nicole journey through the ups and downs of life's obstacles in search of true life long happiness! Well worth reading! Loved it immensely!

Gifted a copy for an honest review.

The Friends We Keep is about all the different kinds of love. It is about love growing between strangers and love growing inside a marriage. It is about love for your children and love for someone else's children. It is about loving your close friends and letting them love you back. In the end it is also about loving yourself enough to be able to love anyone else. I loved this book and will look forward to the next in the series.

This is the second book in Susan Mallery's newest series - Mischief Bay - and just like the first one in the series, this one was just as good. The three main characters - Gabby, Nicole and Hayley - are all going through various changes in their personal lives and most don't know how to deal with these changes right away. As typical with Mallery's book each character prevails and experiences some type of happy ending. This book was often predictable but in a good, romantic way....Mallery's book wouldn't be the same if they were not some-what predictable. I would definitely recommend this book to everyone.

Wow! Really enjoyed the new entry in the Mischief Bay series. Well developed characters and dialogue, as always. Thoughtful and provoking
lives. From infertility and divorce to unexpected pregnancy and the joys of parenting it was a riveting read. Just as in the first book I found myself absorbed by the story and was sad when it ended. Susan Mallery writes real life extremely well. I enjoyed every page.

I absolutely love this story. Its a story of 3 friends and their daily life. The stories are very real in our modern day world. Gabby is a housewife an Mom and is anxious to go back to work. She has no privacy to herself. Hayley is a friend who desperately wants a baby but has not been able to fulfill her dream. Lastly is Nicole who is divorced and has a son.
They are always there for support of each other. Gabby is trying to balance twin daughters, a 15 yr old pregnant step daughter and a husband that wants her to be a stay at home Mom and not go back to work. Hayley has trials and tribulations with her wanting a baby and any cost, reconnecting with her husband and becoming foster parents. Nicole has a great business and a son. Her ex does not come around and Jairus enters her life.
Gabby, Hayley and Nicole are always there for each other. They listen and help no questions asked. Gabby struggles with dealing with a 15 yr old step daughter who gets pregnant and going back to work and not liking working. Nicole is all about to having a baby and trying to remain healthy. Nicole is successful but is afraid of getting hurt and letting Jairus into her life.
This is a fantastic story and I could not put the book down. I enjoy Susan Mallery books and look forward to the next one.

This is a wonderful story. I started it toward the end of the week and finished on Saturday as I literally was having a hard time putting it down. The characters are wonderfully developed with story lines that make you want to know what happens to them. This is also a book where the characters have a rough time getting to their happy ending. It dealt with some big social issues in a very insightful way. Loved it!

Gabby, Nicole, and Hayley, girlfriends at different phase in their lives, lean on each other while maneuvering life's obstacles. Gabby eager to get back to being a lawyer, is drained from being a stay-at-home mom of twins, is thrown a curveball with her step daughter's, Mikayla, unplanned pregnancy and her husband, Andrew's unrealistic expectations of her. While Nicole and Tyler, still reeling from Eric's departure from Tyler's life, she meets Jairus, Brad the Dragon's creator, and falls anxiously in love with him, Hayley and Rob move pass her myopic quest for a baby to adopting eleven year old Noah.

All three subplots were well written, and the character development hooked the readers from chapter one to the very end. The characters were flawed and a tad 'whinny' at times, but they all matured, learnt from their individual 'yokes', and grew into beloved characters. I particularly loved the final resolution of Hayley and her younger sister, Shannon, adult sibling relationship. Topics breached in the novel ranged from teenage pregnancy, the foster care system, to adoption, infertility, and first relationships after divorce.

I love this new series as much as Ms. Mallery's "Fool's Gold" series. 4/17/16.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I could not put it down. I loved the three different story lines and how they intertwined with each other. Each woman's story was different and very real. I love how strong these women are and the choices they all make. When I finished the book, it made me feel very happy with the choices everyone had made. I have never been disappointed in any book of Susan Mallery! I have them all!

The Friends We Keep follows three intertwined story lines. Three friends are each struggling with the fears that have kept them locked in patterns that don't serve their greatest joy. As the story unfolds, each woman finds a reason that compels her to look at her demons and make a number of new choices. The power in this story comes from the honest characterization of real fears and problems and then shows the gift that every difficulty carries in its hands. You never know what help your greatest challenges are bringing you.

Susan Mallery continues her Mischief Bay series with The Friends We Keep. Mallery is wonderful at not only creating wonderful towns we all want to live in but also brilliantly illustrates the complex lives, loves, and relationships between women. Gabby Schaefer is a wonderful mother and wife who longs for a return to work and a sense of self. Hayley Batchelor longs for motherhood and is willing to risk her health and her marriage to become pregnant. Nicole Lord is recovering from a divorce and finds herself attracted to a man she thinks she abhors.
Mallery manages to capture the range of emotions that we all face in real life. The Friends We Keep portrays the dilemmas, heartbreak, and joy we all face in our daily loves. Mallery does not gloss over the complexities of life all woman face.
I cannot recommend The Friends We Keep enough to all my friends. The Mischief Bay novels are an exciting addition to Susan Mallery's romance career. She masterfully portrays the complexities that all modern women face. We all struggle with our feelings about children, marriage, divorce, and starting over. I am a long time Mallery fan and The Friends We Keep just cements my love for her as a rich, wonderful storyteller!

The Friends We Keep is an amazing story about friends that stick together through life's up and downs. It shows us the emotions people deal with in different situations and how they can come out of it, maybe not with out a few scars, but they can grow as a person and move on. Gabby, Hayley and Nichole will have you laughing out loud one moment then needing a box of tissues the next. Susan Mallery definitely knows how to pull at your heart strings.

Another great book from Susan Mallery. I really enjoyed reading this book and getting to know the new characters as well as the previous characters. I especially understood the hesitation with Nicole and dating after a divorce; she gives me hope. And let's not forget what Hayley's been through, although I was very happy with the outcome. I related well with Gabby's family as I've been on both sides of adoption, although not as young as Makayla.

The Friends We Keep
Susan Mallery has started a new series with her new town of Mischief Bay.
She continues the series with ‘The Friends We Keep’. She has created another beautiful town with residents we will love to follow.

Nicole and her son Tyler are back with the dreaded ‘Brad the Dragon’. Added into the mix are Gabby & Haley. We have fun, laughter, heartbreak, tears and unexpected solutions to some problems.

Fans of Susan Mallery books will love this story – then again – she has never written a book I haven’t liked.

I couldn't put the book down. I was so happy to see the stories continue for such fantastic characters. The only bad thing I can say is...shame on you for not having the next one ready for us Susan. HAHA!

I have seen others say you can read this one without having read the first one but there is so much character development in the first one that I say you would really be missing out. Read the first one first. It's a must read just like this one is.

I love everything Ms. Mallery writes. This book had me laughing and crying at the same time. Made me feel like I was living in Mischief Bay with them. I hated to read the last chapter. A lot of the books I read, I pass on to others or give to library for their book sale but this is one I will keep. I will have to get The Girls of Mischief Bay for sure.
Thank you Susan and keep writing!

This is the first novel I've read by Susan Mallory. Her writing is great. The story moved along and the book was what I expected, a lighter read. After finishing this book I decided to check our some other titles from my local library. I wanted to see if maybe some of her other works would appeal to me more.

Let me tell you why I was not completely satisfied with this story.
I kept getting confused when I started a new chapter. There are three protagonists and each one has their own story. I could not distinguish one from the other by voice or character trait or circumstance. I'd be reading along, and a new chapter would start and I'd be like, what? Who's this again? Oh yeah the one who can't have a baby? If it only happened one time I'd think maybe I was distracted while reading. However it kept happening and I found myself mildly frustrated.

I found I could put this book down and come back to it later. The pull to keep the reader in the story was mild. (The what's going to happen next vibe.) The conflicts for our protagonists could have had more depth to them. The topics were serious but handled lightly.

******Spoilers Below******

I felt like only the surface of things were addressed in Gabby's story. Her relationship with her stepdaughter makayla was one of them. Gabby has had Makayla in her life for 8 years. Makayla is 15. That means makayla was 7 when gabby started step parenting. 7 is young enough to form a true bond between the two. Especially since makayla's mom was absentee. Not only was she absentee she wanted nothing to do with her own child. Yet the relationship between the two is distant. Gabby's husband and makayla's dad, Andrew, won't let Gabby discipline Makayla. Really? Considering, he has this high powered job where he travels all the time. He's never around but gabby can't discipline this 7,8,9,10,11 year old child. I think you get my drift.

Because of this, their relationship didn't ring true for me. I also found the plot device of the absentee parent convenient. Makayla's mom wants nothing to do with her. She's a high powered business person and depicted as cold. (FYI- in Nicole's story we have the same thing. Except this time it's the divorced husband who wants nothing to do with his son. And in another book by the author, this device is used again. A parent turns their back on their adult child)

I'm not sure if the author has children or not but parent /child relationships have huge dynamics. Yes abandonment does happen, but I found this issue being used as a plot device instead of the traumatic issue that it really is.

Makayla becomes unexpectedly pregnant. Right away her biological mother is disgusted and all makayla's friends abandon her, her father is traveling, so gabby gets to handle everything. This spoke to me of a plot device, again. Isolate makayla from everyone to force the gabby and makayla together. Convenient.

The abortion/adoption issue was handled in a PC manner. Again as this was a lighter read I knew the outcome would be adoption. (Abortion is too big of a controversy) However,I give the author credit for at least having makayla mention the option. Too bad she was discredited as being too young, hysterical and hormonal to make such a decision. There was never a rational conversation about this choice.

Gabby is also raising 5 year old twins. So she's been pregnant, delivered, bonded with her babies etc. yet she seems strangely detatched from the emotional ordeal that pregnancy is. (Never once does gabby reflect on how she would feel if she had to give up her twins for adoption.) I guess I was looking for more empathy from Gabby. Apparently, the open adoption angle took care of any guilt or regret.

The funny thing was Gabby's story was more about her retuning to work. When Makayla gets pregnant her husband expects her to stay home and raise the baby. Ok then...I think we missed a much deeper story about teen pregnancy and how it effects a family.

Hayley's story
Hayley can't stay pregnant. She has spent time and money on fertility treatments, sacrificing her health in the process. Her husband doesn't want her to die, her doctor advises her to have a hysterectomy, that they have tried all the available treatments and her body is too worn out. Unfortunately Hayley is not very likable. She's obsessed to the point of delusional where she believes if she can just get to Switzerland and get the newest procedure her dream of motherhood will come true.

She has her home appraised behind her husband's back. This is the straw that forces him to leave her. She lied to him. He loves her and he cant stand by and watch her kill herself. She won't consider adoption. But here's the kicker. She was adopted and she has this belief that she was loved less than her parent's biological child.

For whatever reason I just didn't feel the depths of Hayley's emotional pain. And her husband was the most super unstandable man on the planet. He needed to leave her to get her to see the light. Then she cries about him abandoning her. How can she trust him? What? No thank you. She's very selfish.

As a matter of fact all the men in the book are super loving. They say it all the time. They say it to soothe their wives, reassure girlfriends etc. they say it a lot. Too much in my opinion. (Unrealistic)

Nicole's story was more like a traditional romance. It was okay. Although we had the very convenient absentee dad in this one. Divorced parents have conflicts especially when it comes to their kids. These issues were conveniently sidestepped)

*****end spoiler****

It probably sounds like I didn't enjoy the book. I did for what it was. But I couldn't help question the emotional plot holes and the lack of depth given to some very serious topics.

This book took me a while to get totally wrapped up in the three story lines going on, but once I did.....I was All In. Continuing Susan Mallery's theme of female friendships, The Friends We Keep is one of her best. I felt well connected to each of the three main characters and their stories. I laughed, cried, and cheered for each heroine as their stories intertwined through out the book.

I thought I was going to miss the wide generational representation of the first Mischief Bay book, which helped make it such a complex story. This time struggle with issues that can span almost any age. Friends that meet twice a month to prep meals for their families at Supper’s in the Bag seemed like an ok beginning, but the twists in the plot kept these characters interesting. Gabby is so ready to return to work after being home with twin daughters and a handful of a teen stepdaughter. Nicole’s divorce is final, but her ex has less and less time for their small son, Tyler. I enjoyed the scenes detailing his love of Brad the Dragon, complete with all the accompanying retail items—what parent can’t relate to one of those kid crushes? Hayley’s scenes were heartbreaking, from the rough relationship with her sister to a medical diagnosis that sets her and her husband’s plans askew, I could feel the strength begin to radiate out of her as the story continued. Mallery, who has a hugely successful romance series, has really made the jump to some meaty, character driven women's fiction.

I usually totally love Susan Mallery books, but I couldn't get past one thing in this book. The character of Hayley just didn't sit right with me. Hayley was unable to carry a pregnancy to term. Adoption was an obvious choice for her, yet she wouldn't even consider it. She had been adopted and then her adoptive parents had a biological child that Hayley always thought got what she wanted. She felt like the other daughter was loved more than she was because she was adopted. It seems to me that the natural reaction to adopting a child after that upbringing would to be to want to show the world that the child you adopt is dearly and deeply loved. I feel kind of petty, but the book just didn't ring true to me because of that.
On the other hand, I totally loved the relationship between Gabby and her stepdaughter. The trust that develops between them when the girl really needs it was wonderful. I also liked Nicole and her mother-in-law and their relationships with the men in their lives.

Not having read the first book I was hesitent to pick this one up and did not know what to expect. I usually avoid books with more than one story, but Susan Mallery cannot be ignored. I loved the characters. The journeys that each couple takes and the challenes they face are very real. This takes you beyond the happily ever after stage, and imerses you in real life. Loved it! My house is a mess because i could not put it down.

In The Friends We Keep, Susan Mallery has created a fascinating triad of friends. Each of the women in this story exemplified relatable characteristics of emotions and daily life struggles. Susan Mallery has managed to effortlessly meshed together the lives of these women, and maintain the transitions between each of their personal tales with a lovely flow. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Gabby, Hayley and Nicole, and I know you will too!

This is a great continuation from book 1
You did not need to read book 1 to understand book 2
It had enough information to remind you of where we were left off from book 1
I was glad that Nicole found a 2nd chance at love.
Kudos to Gabby. She found her back bone.
Hayley's story was so sad, but Noah made all the difference
I can't wait for book 3

The Friends We Keep the new book in the Mischief Bay Series, brings back one woman from the first book, Nicole and introduces two more
Gabby and Hayley. The experiences of these women are very real. The characters depend on each other and their families to find their own strength. The problems they face are things with which women can identify and understand These are women who make you laugh, cry and sometimes say “You go, girl!”

I love that Susan Mallery is delving into the characters and creating such strong women.

I really like how relatable these characters are. These women have friends they care deeply for, family problems they struggle with, and dreams that they are trying to achieve. I may not relate to every issue, but I'm confident that readers will relate to something happening in this story. I enjoy how Susan Mallery intertwines the lives of characters in past books, while each book easily stands alone. Can't wait for her next release!

It took me a bit to get into this one, but once I did i really enjoyed the book. This one is a little different style than the Fool's Gold books, It was less predictable and the character interactions are definitely different. But good characters that the reader can relate to and steady story lines make this one worth the read. After awhile, I couldn't put it down. Thanks for keeping the great books coming!

Susan Mallery is easily one of my favorite authors, but this book has become my favorite of hers. I don't know why I connected so well with it, but it was real. Real life/reality written, not as much of the dreamy perfect man that falls in love in 2 days type of thing. I highly recommend this book, but read the 1st in the series before hand, as some things may make more sense, but its not necessary.

I really enjoyed this book. I have read a few of Susan's books & liked all of them. The only suggestion I would give is to change up the cover photos. Although it's true to not judge a book by its cover, if they're a little corny looking I'm not drawn to buying. I know, I know...but we all like a good (non-corny) cover. Draws us in.

A story of friends as they navigate the bumps in their lives and stand strong for each other. One friend battles tremendous loss, another navigates being a business owning, single mom on the cusp of big changes and yet another wrestles twin kindergarteners, a tempermental teen hiding her own secret and a husband that just doesn't get it. Will they overcome their hurdles and maintain their lives or will it all blow up in their faces? Well plotted and great character development. I especially liked the introspective analysis each character takes of themselves. While it might not always be an accurate look inside as each person perceives events and actions differently, however, it is a realistic look of how various women perceive themselves. If you like a good chic lit story of life, love, loss and friendship then this book is perfect for you.

Another great read from Susan Mallery. Gabby, Hayley and Nicole, 3 women who are friends and always there for each other. Love this book and read it in two days. The women are all having some problems, but they are there to help each other and can talk about their issues. The families of each of the women are different, but they can help each other out. Can't wait to read more from you Susan. Love your books

I loved this book. It was the perfect follow-up to The Girls of Mischief Bay.

This book takes us through the journey of three women as they struggle to overcome the obstacles in their lives. I don’t like to spoil the book for other readers, but I will say that I thoroughly enjoyed how their stories played out and ended. Susan Mallery did another great job!

The Friends We Keep is the story of three friends who are dealing with major changes and challenges in their lives. Gabby is looking forward to returning to work once her twins start Kindergarten. Nicole is dealing with dating after a divorce. Hayley is dealing with the difficulty of wanting desperately to have a baby but being unable to carry a pregnancy to term. I always enjoy books by Susan Mallery and this one didn't disappoint. The stories flowed well, it was an easy read, and I was hooked into the stories from the beginning. Loved the in-depth look at each of the families. I especially enjoyed Gabby's storyline and seeing her growth and learning to stand up for herself and what she wanted while making her family stronger at the same time. I had a harder time connecting with Hayley and her story, especially with her actions initially, but loved the resolution. I received a copy of this book for an honest review.

Susan Mallery is awesome. She creates characters that have real problems and fears. She has created the best of friends in "The Friends We Keep" I think we'd all love to have them in our lives. Nicole, Gabby, Haley and Pam all in different stages of life but the best of friends.
Don't hesitate to read this book. I wish I wasn't done.

The book is nice light-hearted look at life in middle class America. There is little chaos, romance and angst, with a story line that keeps your interest. The story usually moves along at a reasonable pace ending with predictable happiness. It bogs a bit over issues of an adoptee, but finally lightens up. It is a good light read, typical romance style.

This was a wonderful book. All of the characters were so real and the storylines so interesting. I'd love to be one of the friends in this group of great ladies! I hope Susan Mallery continues this series, although the way it ends almost sounds like she is finishing the Mischief Bay series. I'm hoping for more books!

I enjoyed every page of this book! I was lucky enough to win an advanced copy and I devoured it! I didn't want to do anything but read about these three women/friends and everything going on in their lives. I can't say anything else because I wouldn't want to give away a thing!

I feel the expression, "This book is a page turner", is overused. In the case of 'The Friends We Keep', the expression is well deserved. I missed a couple of meals and several hours of sleep reading it! As I neared the end, I was hoping that the second book in the series was nearing completion and would be available soon.

I loved this book. The characters face some very difficult situations and need to work hard to get thru them. Mallery did a great job of writing all sides of the argument to make the reader feel like they are working thru the problem in their head. The book is a quick read that will leave you want to read more about Gabby, Hayley, and Nicole.

The Friends We Keep is the second book in the Mischief Bay Series. Book One (The Girls of Mischief Bay) focused on three woman at various stages of life and this book has one overlapping main character (Nicole) and then two characters that were only briefly mentioned in the first book (Hayley and Gabby). I enjoyed this book, as it felt like these were woman I could be friends with in real life. But, along that same vein, the book deals with some heavier topics ****SPOILER**** such as infertility and teenage pregnancy.

If you want a light, fun beach read to escape real life, this isn’t the book for that. If you are looking for a well written book about adult women dealing with adult issues, then you will enjoy this book.

***I received an ARC in exchange for my review***

The Friends We Keep kept me reading until the very end. Gabby, Hayley, and Nicole are good friends with very different life problems. I felt like I knew each of them and got involved in their lives. The ending was very satisfying though a bit different than what I expected.

What a wonderful story. This is not your typical Susan Mallery romance but definitely a great story about three friends and the everyday struggles they each had to face after some pretty life changing situations occurred. It was heart warming as well as heart wrenching at times. Ms. Mallery is so good at what she does, she writes with such emotion that you totally feel everything that these three women feel while you're reading their stories. And although this story might seem kind of too real, not the happy go lucky romances you might be used to, there are HEA's at the end so you'll be left with a smile on your face and a very happy sigh of contentment when you finish this story.

You can never go wrong reading a book by Susan Mallery. Her Mischief Bay stories differ from the Fools Gold series by focusing on the friendships and "real lives" of 3 women at different points in their lives. You most likely will find something you can relate to in one of these women.

The Friends We Keep is another great read by Susan Mallery.You get to follow the lives of three friends and follow up on characters from her first novel The Girls of Mischief Bay. This series is different from her Fool's Gold Series in that it seems more deep than just a romance novel but it is still a very enjoyable read.This is a very relatable novel and you get to identify with the characters. I loved it like the rest of Susan Mallery's other novels.

I love ANY book by Susan Mallery she has an extraordinary ability to create realistic fictional towns with
well-developed character personalities. This one was no exception could not put it down. I am anxiously awaiting
her next project.

This book is entertaining just like all of her books. Love the 3 separate women who were there for each other. Each had separate life problems that had to be dealt with. A great author if you haven't read her books I highly recommend them.

I enjoy Susan Mallery's Fool's Gold Series; however, I just do not care for the Mischief Bay characters and books. The characters seem self-centered, selfish, and unlikable. I'm sorry to say that I would not recommend them.

I loved this this book. This story tells the tale of 3 friends and their struggles. I love stories that have good girlfriends. The women in this story face battles that you can relate to. It shows them working through their feelings and own insecurities and coming out ahead. I really enjoy this series. I can look forward to more.

I really enjoyed the latest story in Susan Mallery’s Mischief Bay series. Meeting new characters as well as having stories about characters from the first book keeps readers connected. I can’t wait for the next book and to see what surprises there will be. I would definitely recommend this book to my friends.

Real Life.

Three women, so different yet so much alike. When one is faced with a problem and cannot find an answer the other two friends are the voice of reason. I think we can all relate to Gabby, Hayley or Nicole.
Susan Mallery has done it again! A must read!

I recieved this for an honest review, I loved this book, It kept me interested and I couldnt put it down, You will like this book , It flows really well and you want to know what happens next all the time,

Susan Mallory has hit it out of the ballpark in this second installment of Mischief Bay. She weaves your interest with three friends and their own continuation of life. Love this one and recommend it to all who need to get away for a while. You will be drawn into a wonderful story.

Another enjoyable read from Susan Mallery. This is the second in the Mischief Bay Series and includes the continuation of the story of Nicole (going through a divorce) and introduces two other friends of hers, Hayley (trying to have a baby after many miscarriages) and Gabby (heading back to work after her twins are school-age). A nice story of female friendship through the trials in the lives of each character. More women's fiction and a little less romance than her Fool's Gold series. One reason that I enjoy the Mischief Bay series is because of the friendships these women have and how they can lean on one another. One thing (the friendships) that is possibly missing in a lot of woman's lives nowadays with the fast paced world we are often stuck in. A great light read with a happy ending for all.

This was such a good book. I literally stopped reading it for a day because I didn't want it to end. It was that good. The characters were so compelling, as was the storyline, that I actually even posted on Facebook that I didn't want it to end. If you are looking for that kind of book, this is that book!!

This book didn't grab me. Loved the writing and the character development in the beginning of the book. I think Gabby's mother situation and Hayley's pregnancy situation were well developed. When the story started, I had to figure out who the characters were from the previous book but then it was fine. It dragged a bit in the middle but the ending was good.

This book is about true friendships and how that friendship helps these three dynamic women get through surprising changes of their lives with tragedy turning to joy and what once seemed broken had been made whole. I loved the new characters mixed with the familiar friends from the first book, Girls of Mischief Bay.

I loved this story it was hard to put down. Three families and 3 friends wove together. The each have their own issues. Through every thing they love and fight but support each other. Friends are family and family are friends that stay together . I found my self laughing and crying along with them

This book was great!! I can honestly say it is my favorite so far of the Mischief Bay books. It has so many real problems that people/couples deal with every day. From divorce to unwanted/teenage pregnancies to problems getting pregnant. This book will take you on an emotional roller coaster. One of the best books I have read in a long time.

The book is nice light-hearted look at life in middle class America. There is little chaos, romance and angst, with a story line that keeps your interest. The story usually moves along at a reasonable pace ending with predictable happiness. It bogs a bit over issues of an adoptee, but finally lightens up. It is a good light read, typical romance style.

This was a wonderful book. All of the characters were so real and the storylines so interesting. I'd love to be one of the friends in this group of great ladies! I hope Susan Mallery continues this series, although the way it ends almost sounds like she is finishing the Mischief Bay series. I'm hoping for more books!

I enjoyed every page of this book! I was lucky enough to win an advanced copy and I devoured it! I didn't want to do anything but read about these three women/friends and everything going on in their lives. I can't say anything else because I wouldn't want to give away a thing!

I feel the expression, "This book is a page turner", is overused. In the case of 'The Friends We Keep', the expression is well deserved. I missed a couple of meals and several hours of sleep reading it! As I neared the end, I was hoping that the second book in the series was nearing completion and would be available soon.

I loved this book. The characters face some very difficult situations and need to work hard to get thru them. Mallery did a great job of writing all sides of the argument to make the reader feel like they are working thru the problem in their head. The book is a quick read that will leave you want to read more about Gabby, Hayley, and Nicole.

The Friends We Keep is the second book in the Mischief Bay Series. Book One (The Girls of Mischief Bay) focused on three woman at various stages of life and this book has one overlapping main character (Nicole) and then two characters that were only briefly mentioned in the first book (Hayley and Gabby). I enjoyed this book, as it felt like these were woman I could be friends with in real life. But, along that same vein, the book deals with some heavier topics ****SPOILER**** such as infertility and teenage pregnancy.

If you want a light, fun beach read to escape real life, this isn’t the book for that. If you are looking for a well written book about adult women dealing with adult issues, then you will enjoy this book.

***I received an ARC in exchange for my review***

The Friends We Keep kept me reading until the very end. Gabby, Hayley, and Nicole are good friends with very different life problems. I felt like I knew each of them and got involved in their lives. The ending was very satisfying though a bit different than what I expected.

What a wonderful story. This is not your typical Susan Mallery romance but definitely a great story about three friends and the everyday struggles they each had to face after some pretty life changing situations occurred. It was heart warming as well as heart wrenching at times. Ms. Mallery is so good at what she does, she writes with such emotion that you totally feel everything that these three women feel while you're reading their stories. And although this story might seem kind of too real, not the happy go lucky romances you might be used to, there are HEA's at the end so you'll be left with a smile on your face and a very happy sigh of contentment when you finish this story.

You can never go wrong reading a book by Susan Mallery. Her Mischief Bay stories differ from the Fools Gold series by focusing on the friendships and "real lives" of 3 women at different points in their lives. You most likely will find something you can relate to in one of these women.

The Friends We Keep is another great read by Susan Mallery.You get to follow the lives of three friends and follow up on characters from her first novel The Girls of Mischief Bay. This series is different from her Fool's Gold Series in that it seems more deep than just a romance novel but it is still a very enjoyable read.This is a very relatable novel and you get to identify with the characters. I loved it like the rest of Susan Mallery's other novels.

Susan Mallery writes so well that it feels like you've known the characters in her books forever. The Friends We Keep is a story of 3 women and how their lives intertwine through good and bad. Great storyline and characters make this a good read!

I love ANY book by Susan Mallery she has an extraordinary ability to create realistic fictional towns with
well-developed character personalities. This one was no exception could not put it down. I am anxiously awaiting
her next project.

This book is entertaining just like all of her books. Love the 3 separate women who were there for each other. Each had separate life problems that had to be dealt with. A great author if you haven't read her books I highly recommend them.

I enjoy Susan Mallery's Fool's Gold Series; however, I just do not care for the Mischief Bay characters and books. The characters seem self-centered, selfish, and unlikable. I'm sorry to say that I would not recommend them.

The Friends We Keep brought back so many memories of dear long time true friends that most of us are lucky to count on one hand. The intermingling stories of 3 close friends ring so true. The good times, the not so good times shape each of their lives. I was so certain that i had figured out the ending until i go to the ending and i was so wrong. I am so looking forward to Susan Mallery's next book.

I loved this this book. This story tells the tale of 3 friends and their struggles. I love stories that have good girlfriends. The women in this story face battles that you can relate to. It shows them working through their feelings and own insecurities and coming out ahead. I really enjoy this series. I can look forward to more.

While the setting of Mischief Bay is quite different than Fool’s Gold, this book has lovable characters with very human flaws that endeared them to me as the reader. Susan Mallery always gives me a good story and lets me escape to a different reality for a while.

I really enjoyed the latest story in Susan Mallery’s Mischief Bay series. Meeting new characters as well as having stories about characters from the first book keeps readers connected. I can’t wait for the next book and to see what surprises there will be. I would definitely recommend this book to my friends.

Real Life.

Three women, so different yet so much alike. When one is faced with a problem and cannot find an answer the other two friends are the voice of reason. I think we can all relate to Gabby, Hayley or Nicole.
Susan Mallery has done it again! A must read!

I recieved this for an honest review, I loved this book, It kept me interested and I couldnt put it down, You will like this book , It flows really well and you want to know what happens next all the time,

I loved this 2nd installment of Mischief Bay!!! I laughed and I cried...every time I read Susan's books I am transported to that place and am lost in that world I didn't want to stop reading!! Thank you Susan for another wonderful book!!!

Susan Mallory has hit it out of the ballpark in this second installment of Mischief Bay. She weaves your interest with three friends and their own continuation of life. Love this one and recommend it to all who need to get away for a while. You will be drawn into a wonderful story.

Another great read...

This was another story about relationships. They can be messy, scary and at times make you want to run for the hills but at the heart of them when it's love then it's all worth it.

I really enjoyed this story. I love meeting new characters and touching base with old ones.

I have read many of Susan's book before mostly from her fool gold series and thorougly enjoyed them. In this novel which is the second in a new series I was totally blown away. Story takes place in Mischief California where three friends Gabby, Nicole and Hayley are struggling through motions and trials of life. Nicole is a single divorce mother of one who is fearful to love again and is torn when she meets someone, Hayley is dealing with the fact that she may never be a woman who gives birth after having too many miscarriages and Gabby who is dealing with a pregnant stepdaughter and twin five year old girls. The chapters go back and forth sharing about the three ladies triumphs trials and redemption. There are so many wonderful scenes that made me go ahhh Jairus the hero who is wooing Nicole says to her "don't you're scared....knowing am not going anywhere....you want to hold a piece back.....i won't accept that. I want everything you have Nicole ....I am not going anywhere take your time. Lovely book with intriguing and wonderful characters....heartache pain but finding love in all the chaos of life. I was given a copy of this book via Net Galley.

This is the 2nd book in the Mischief Bay series but can be read as a stand alone.I truly enjoyed this book about 3 friends who are all at different points in their life but are there for each other no matter what. But this book is about more than just these friendships, its about love & finding the important things in life, not taking each other for granted, & about families.

I loved visiting Mischief Bay & look forward to the next book in the series.

Book provided by the author in exchange for an honest review

The Friends we Keep is another book set in mischief bay. This book will make you laugh and cry. The story shows how true friends are there for you when you're at your lowest. Real life issues that any of us could face. Great story.

Susan Mallory is a prolific writer of contemporary romances and women’s fiction, but I’ve only read a few of her romances, and none of her recent ones. This book, centered around challenges facing three friends, sounded interesting, so I thought I would give it a try.

Gabby is a stay-at-home mom who is thrilled at the idea of going back to work once her twins start kindergarten. Her biggest problem is that her husband doesn’t always support her parenting choices, particularly when it comes to Gabby’s step-daughter, Makayla. Well, that’s her biggest problem until Makayla throws a huge monkey wrench into her plans.

Hayley is desperate to have a baby but has suffered repeated miscarriages. Although her husband wants to stop trying because of the risk to her health, she feels driven to have her own biological child, because as an adopted child, Hayley always felt she came second to her parents’ biological daughter.

After her divorce, Nicole and her son are largely abandoned by her husband. When she meets her son’s favorite author, Nicole feels drawn to him, but she’s afraid to risk getting involved again.

The Friends We Keep wasn’t a bad book, but the story left me dissatisfied and wanting more. I think that’s because I never really felt that was even a remote chance of an ultimately unhappy ending for any of the characters, so there was no real tension to the story. Even Hayley, who faces the biggest obstacle to happiness because of her inability to give birth, seems to recover from her disappointment and find a new path to happiness very quickly. It’s not that I don’t love happy endings—I do—but I’m less invested when they come too easily.

Beyond that, everyone was just so NICE. Even when they were disagreeing, all the characters seemed relatively calm and reasonable. They didn’t feel like real arguments, or at least not like any argument I’ve had with family. Other than a couple of obvious baddies in some of the characters’ exes, only one character (Hayley’s obnoxious sister) gets painted slightly in shades of gray, and even she gets somewhat redeemed in the end.

In one of the discussion questions for readers included at the end of the book, it says, “Susan makes a promise to her readers that they can relax into the reading experience knowing that the characters will pull through, even after facing the hardest of circumstances.” That’s certainly the case here, so I think the author’s fans will absolutely love this book. I’d recommend it for anyone who wants a relaxing reading experience, but readers who enjoy stories with more tension might want to give it a miss.

An ARC of this novel was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Susan you did it again! Loved this story!! I felt like I was one of the Friends in the book. I missed my bedtime on multiple times..I just couldn't wait to read what happens next.

Thanks so much!

Interesting story line. A couple of the characters are way over the top of believability. If this is how we are rearing children to become responsible people, we are in serious trouble. I loved the idea of the story. I just wish Susan Mallery would keep the characters a little more realistic, it would be so much more enjoyable.

This is a really great book and I think it will help people to remember that friends are an essential part of our lives. I also like that she has a list of questions to help with book club discussions and even a great recipe for the get together

Another good read! Susan writes books that entertain, but also make you think. This was one. The situations might not have been the happiest, but she shows going through the whole gamut of reactions; happiness, sadness, anger, and many more. The title is so fitting, as these women are definitely the friends that they keep.

A well written story of friendships and relationships in general. I loved how all three women served as sounding boards for each other and helped each other work through problems. I definitely related to the character of Gabby and her identity struggle after being a stay at home mom.

While there were moments when the book was a bit heavier than what I'm used to from Susan Mallery, I loved the friendship woven through the three story lines. Gabby, Hayley and Nicole's lives are all completely different but it never mattered to their friendship. I loved the solidarity and brutal honesty of the three characters! A few chapters were quite sad but I would recommend the book based solely on the friendship factor.

I received this as an Advanced Readers Copy, I loved how Susan weaved the stories of Hayley, Nicole and Gabby, The travels each of the girls went on was very well written and it explored various issues that married couples and Single mothers go through.

Mallery never disappoints. The characters are strong, vibrant women. Women taking care of each other. Family first with friends a close second. I would like to believe that I could be as strong as the women in the store. Gabby was a very strong person, and learned to become a very strong, loving stepmom to a difficult teen. I am happy that Hayley and her husband worked things out, and the twist that made her whole at the hospital. Nicole taught them both alot, and they were there for her. Great story.

Susan Mallery has done it again. I really enjoyed how Nicole's continued and then we got two new characters to delve into. Friendship, hardships, love and pulling through are all what make this a wonderful book. I really am enjoying the Mischief Bay series. I've stayed up a few nights in a row now trying to get in as much reading of this book as possible.

Susan Mallery has a way of grabbing my attention from the first sentence all the way to the last. This book was no different. I enjoyed each character for what they had to offer and I was pulled into their world by Susan's ability to engulf the reader into the story. Thanks again for another great read!

This a a great story about three friends in the town of Mischief Bay. They are each dealing with and overcoming different obstacles and issues. The friendship of the three woman is is something we all want. A girl always needs her girlfriends! The relationships between the main characters and their significant other come across as real and believable. I am really enjoying this series and looking forward to the next book.

I'm really enjoying this new series by Susan Mallery. I love the friendship between the woman even though they are all at different points in their lives they help each other. I think most woman can relate to someone in this book. I'm excited for the series to continue.

Forever friends
A beautiful story of friendship. Nicole, Hayley and Gabby are three friends and though they are in different seasons in their lives they rely on each other for support and lift each other up. It's a great story that reminds us that forever friends are priceless.

Susan Mallery does a wonderful job creating towns where we would all love to live and raise our children. The Friends We Keep follows the lives of three friends through their lives twists and turns. Ms Mallery has a way of writing that really shows what true friendship should be and I'm always happy to visit with them. I gave this book a four out of five stars because I felt it was a little rush or something at the end to tie everything up. We all love a happy ending and you are sure to find them with a Susan Mallery Mischief Bay Novel. I would definitely recommend this one!! Happy reading!

This is one of my favorite Susan Mallery books. Loved the three friends, their different challenges and how they worked through them. All great solutions and great insight. People in the real world with some of the same challenges can find the solutions helpful.

Susan Mallory is a prolific writer of contemporary romances and women’s fiction, but I’ve only read a few of her romances, and none of her recent ones. This book, centered around challenges facing three friends, sounded interesting, so I thought I would give it a try.

Gabby is a stay-at-home mom who is thrilled at the idea of going back to work once her twins start kindergarten. Her biggest problem is that her husband doesn’t always support her parenting choices, particularly when it comes to Gabby’s step-daughter, Makayla. Well, that’s her biggest problem until Makayla throws a huge monkey wrench into her plans.

Hayley is desperate to have a baby but has suffered repeated miscarriages. Although her husband wants to stop trying because of the risk to her health, she feels driven to have her own biological child, because as an adopted child, Hayley always felt she came second to her parents’ biological daughter.

After her divorce, Nicole and her son are largely abandoned by her husband. When she meets her son’s favorite author, Nicole feels drawn to him, but she’s afraid to risk getting involved again.

The Friends We Keep wasn’t a bad book, but the story left me dissatisfied and wanting more. I think that’s because I never really felt that was even a remote chance of an ultimately unhappy ending for any of the characters, so there was no real tension to the story. Even Hayley, who faces the biggest obstacle to happiness because of her inability to give birth, seems to recover from her disappointment and find a new path to happiness very quickly. It’s not that I don’t love happy endings—I do—but I’m less invested when they come too easily.

Beyond that, everyone was just so NICE. Even when they were disagreeing, all the characters seemed relatively calm and reasonable. They didn’t feel like real arguments, or at least not like any argument I’ve had with family. Other than a couple of obvious baddies in some of the characters’ exes, only one character (Hayley’s obnoxious sister) gets painted slightly in shades of gray, and even she gets somewhat redeemed in the end.

In one of the discussion questions for readers included at the end of the book, it says, “Susan makes a promise to her readers that they can relax into the reading experience knowing that the characters will pull through, even after facing the hardest of circumstances.” That’s certainly the case here, so I think the author’s fans will absolutely love this book. I’d recommend it for anyone who wants a relaxing reading experience, but readers who enjoy stories with more tension might want to give it a miss.

An ARC of this novel was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Friends We Keep is another hit from Susan Mallery. I love how she writes stories that people can truly relate to. How many of us out there have a friend that went thru divorce and has issues with the ex and visitation, or a friend with a who is so overwhelmed being a mom and keeping their independence? A friend who struggles with fertility issues? This story gives you hope that even though there are sometimes terrible bumps in the road, life still goes on and can even turn out better than you could ever imagine.

Another great read...

This was another story about relationships. They can be messy, scary and at times make you want to run for the hills but at the heart of them when it's love then it's all worth it.

I really enjoyed this story. I love meeting new characters and touching base with old ones.

Sorry but this is just not going to work for me. I have enjoyed the Fool's Gold series, for the most part. I find the characters to be endearing and have some strength to them. But Mischief Bay is not my cup of tea. I read the first in the series and was not impressed. I hoped that it was a one-off problem. But this one I am not even going to finish. The women in this book are weak, whiny, self-serving and just not very likeable. I am over 25% through the book and I am still getting the three women mixed up. There has to be SOMEONE I can like or relate to. Unfortunately the only one I like a little bit is Brad the Dragon, a character from one of the children's books.

I won't be reading anymore Mischief.

All the characters were so unbelievable. Essentially, this is a book with stories about three different women, and it is not well told. All the words, actions and introduction of characters feel as if they occur to get to the next part of the book. The beginning of the book is incredibly slow and boring. As the story unfolds, everything is predictable, too convenient and seems introduced only to provide a happy ending. The Noah part is utterly unbelievable.

Just because Haley has several miscarriages, does not somehow imply that her uterus, when not pregnant is going to spontaneously bleed out, like the book implies. Since Haley had gotten pregnant several times, she is making eggs. Why would they not be able to harvest them and why would they have attempted this precisely once? For that matter, why would they be harvesting eggs at all, when the problem is she keeps miscarrying. The medical aspects of this story leave much to be desired.

Working for a non profit group as a lawyer would be very different than a high pressure firm. They can't pay enough or have enough possible promotional reward for their employees to put up with working twice the number of hours they are being paid for. Gabby's situation was not work there or stop being a lawyer entirely. Surely if she was bright enough to become a lawyer, she was bright enough to look for a job that suited her current interests and situation better. Of course in this book, it is all or nothing.

There are a few sentences containing wisdom about relationships, but they are pretty much lost in all the rest.

Andrew's assumption that his wife will raise his teenage daughter's baby is supposed to be a shocker. The shocking part was that this couple did not sit down with his daughter and discuss the practical, nitty gritty of taking care of an actual infant......until her only choice was to have the baby. They were astoundingly blank about the timing of her pregnancy. While Gabby is said to believe women have choice, nothing in the story would indicate that!

You can't have a teenage pregnancy and not have the issue of money arise. Males have a responsibility in the eyes of the law to support children they have sired. Sending the young soon to be father off to boarding school would not have absolved Boyd of responsibility. When the two teens announced they were "staying together", the question of how will this baby be supported and taken care of, should have been raised. Instead none of the adults said anything important and just sat back.

The choice for a pregnant teen is not simply being in school for stares and ridicule or be home schooled. There are online classes.

Basically a very badly constructed, unrealistic story about contrived characters.

Received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Susan Mallery weaves the tale of three friends, Gabby, Nicole, and Hailey, living in Mischief Bay, CA.

Their individual stories are told and their story-lines intertwine as they are all friends.

Nicole is a divorced Mom who has a young son who wins a chance to meet the Author of his favorite book. Nicole is not happy about going and has a funny and cute fist meeting with the Author of the book. Afraid of getting close to someone again, she tries hard to resist when she develops feelings for someone.

Gabby is a Mother of twins and stepmother to a teenage daughter. She has stayed home after the birth of her twins and is looking forward to going back to work when her daughters begin school. Her husband, Andrew, is sweet with traditional values that get in the way when an unexpected surprise happens in their family.

Hailey has been trying to have a biological child with her husband, Rob. She has suffered many miscarriages and is desperate to keep trying. Will the strain of her weakening health and her obsession to have a biological child put a strain on their marriage.

This book works very well as a stand alone book, although it is part of a series. I did not feel that I was missing out of anything having not read the prior book. The women in this book were likable and their stories engaging. I enjoyed Nicole's story-line the most and Hailey's the least. What I liked the most was that their stories were so believable and real. Mallery writes enjoyable work with characters that most people can relate to in some manner

This book is about three friends that are at different crossroads in their life. Gabby is ready to return to work after her twins start school. Nicole has recently divorced and not sure she will ever be ready for another relationship. Hayley desperately wants to have a child. The book is about friendship, loss and hope.

i love the book could not put it down but i had to so i could go to bed cause i had to work in the morning have to get up at 6 am .. i started the book Sunday 11/19/2017 and read it on Monday had only 3 chapters left but had to put it down to go to bed .. but i loved it and i would most definitely would recommend the book to my friends .. i finish the book on 11/21/2017 .. thank you for sending me the book to read can't wait to read more bye you Susan Mallory ... Keep up the good job and hope you have very good Thanksgiving day ..

This is a great book with the stories of three very different friends each at a very different stage in their life. There were also secondary characters with excellent storylines. All the characters were well developed and the reader gets involved with each of their lives.

I loved this book. The characters and the story were awesome. I recommend it to all but I recommend you read the first one in this series first. I thought 7.99 was to much for this book but I bought it because I love reading Susan. I wasn't disappointed.

Love these ladies and lost lots of sleep with this book. I could not put it down. Susan Mallery has another winner not that we expect anything else. She is a wonderful author who develops her characters. Any of these women could have been my friends.

This book does not disappoint, other than I wanted more. Ms Mallery always writes with such emotion and you become part of the story. You can just immerse yourself into her books, and The Friends We Keep is one of her best. We all should have friends like Gabby, Hayley and Nicole.

★★★★ from Vicki of CA on November 19, 2016

Love this author's wonderful stories

I love this author because her stories are believable involving friends, love and everyday life situations. This story involves some of the same characters from the first in the series involving Mischief Bay and is therefore familiar and fun. Easy, fun read, but not predictable.

Susan has again captured my heart. The Friends We Keep has to be one of my favorite Susan Mallery books so far because it struck a cord with reality. Hayley wants to be a mother in the worst way – so badly that she is willing to put her life on the line to be what she feels is a “real mom”. However, life doesn’t always give us what we want as Hayley found out. Poor Gabby has her hands full, the mother of twins and a step daughter that in her dad’s eyes can do no wrong. Gabby, the evil step mother can’t discipline her step daughter but life takes a turn in the opposite direction and Gabby has to put her life on hold in a way she never saw coming and resents because of circumstances the step daughter gets caught up in. Nicole, the divorced mother of a young impressionable boy, tries to get her feet wet in the man pool and finds she is very afraid of the water. Of all the men out there to meet, it has to be someone in the same profession as her ex husband and the author of the books her son can’t get enough of! All three of these women have very real, everyday lives that resonate with the real world and you can’t help but be captured. Susan, you have again hit a home run.

I loved this book! It is a book of friendship and understanding between these special ladies which had been introduced in previous novel (The Girls of Mischief Bay) by Susan Mallory. Gabby is returning to the workforce after a break to raise her five year old twins, and a fifteen year old stepdaughter. Nicole’s life is smoothing out until she meets the author of Brad the Dinosaur. My heart went out to Hayley because of her difficulty having a baby. We can all relate to these ladies with our smiles, tears, and understanding. Their stories mirror our own life experiences, our relatives, or friends.

Susan Mallory has developed some wonderful characters that are so realistic and human. I want to have them as friends as well. These friends are there for each other and respect each other. The ladies each other out for support and guidance through all the hurtles that life puts in their way. I feel like they are my friends as well when I read the novels and hope their stories will continue. I love reading Susan Mallory’s stories.

Another great story from Susan Mallery! Another great trip to Mischief Bay! I love how Susan intertwines the lives of 3 friends throughout her Mischief Bay stories. Nicole, Hayley and Gabby all have problems that we might see in our or our friends’ lives, as well as a strong friendship that helps them cope. As I read this, I felt so many emotions- Susan Mallery is an expert at making you feel! Gabby was so strong, Hayley was so pitiful at times, and Nicole found love. It was hard to put this book down, and at times I wanted to turn to the end of the story just to make sure these women all came out okay (even though Susan promises her main characters will always pull through). I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to read about the close friendships women enjoy. Susan Mallery has another best seller on her hands!! On a side note, I loved how some of her characters from Fools Gold popped up. Cool!

You will still need tissues, but this was overall much more upbeat than The Girls of Mischief Bay. I liked seeing Nicole again and seeing more of Hayley. They are great. The storyline with Gabby was a perfect addition to the whole thing. I liked following all 3 storylines. The pace is leisurely, the tone is emotionally charged, but NOT draining this time. I am glad that I continued with the series, and look forward to the next book. Try it and see what you think.

I loved Susan Mallery’s first Mischief Bay novel, The Girls of Mischief Bay, and I like The Friends We Keep just as much. It isn’t necessary to read the first novel to follow the action in the second, but you’ll want to read it anyway!
The Friends We Keep follows three friends who support each other as they face very different problems. Gabby tries to balance work and family. Hayley desperately wants to carry a baby to full-term. Nicole is afraid to fall in love again after a divorce.
Sometimes in a book with separate story lines, I skip ahead and follow my favorite, but this book compelled me to keep reading-and don’t ask me to pick a favorite character. Although I didn’t always agree with the characters’ choices, I felt like I understood why they made them.
I especially recommend this novel to women’s fiction fans. I received a promotional copy in exchange for an honest review.

What can I say? The book, "The Friends We Keep", is an awesome sequel to the book, "The Girls of Mischief Bay". "The Friends We Keep" brought in characters from the first book and introduced new characters. The characters are very well developed and the setting sounds like a place that would be great to live. As I said about the first book, "The Girls of Mischief Bay", this book takes on issues that any one of us can identify with in life. Through both books, I have laughed, cried, got angry, and felt the joy of the friendships of all of the characters in the books. I would love for Susan Mallery to write another book for this series because she has done it once again!! Well done!!

Another great book by Susan Mallery! In The Friends We Keep, we get to really think about friendship, and how as woman we may be at very different stages of life but friendship overrides the differences.
In this book we are in the town of Mischief Bay, a pretty nice place almost as great as Fools Gold! The story is about 3 woman and their day to day real life issues. Nicole, is looking at her life after divorce, can she move out of the rut she is in. Hayley, wants to have a baby, her story will have you in tears and then cheering for her. Last is Gabby, just getting ready to make some changes to her life as a stay at home mom and life hands her a big surprise.
Susan Mallery, makes you feel for the women in this story, their joys and struggles. You would want to be friends with these ladies!
It's a great read, very enjoyable!

Oh the feels you feel when reading this book! Susan Mallery has done it again! I will be honest and say that the Mischief Bay is not my fgavorite of her worlds, but this book is amazing! I love how you get sucked in and do not want it to end! ONe of the best things about this book(ans series) is that this could be any of our lives......the drama...the trauma....the feels! Such a wonderfully thoughtful and heartwarming read! Thank you so much for allowing us into your worlds Ms Mallery!

The Friends We Keep by Susan Mallery had me by the first line. It was just so right on and I needed to turn the pages. The characters was delightful and it was a great way that we got to follow 3 friends throughout the book. It was full of surprises, so each time I though that I knew what was going to happen, Susan Mallery gave the story her special touch and made it a delightful read. I received this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is the second book in a series set in Mischief bay. It follows three friends who have been through a lot together and no matter what they are always there for each other. What I really liked about this book was how it showed the many sides of parenting - the good and the bad. How you treat your children, how they respond to that and how it affects your marriage. Can't wait for the next book in this series and see what these women are up to! If you haven't read anything by Susan Mallery you should check her out!

Wow! Really enjoyed the new entry in the Mischief Bay series. Well developed characters and dialogue, as always. Thoughtful and provoking
lives. From infertility and divorce to unexpected pregnancy and the joys of parenting it was a riveting read. Just as in the first book I found myself absorbed by the story and was sad when it ended. Susan Mallery writes real life extremely well. I enjoyed every page.

I absolutely love this story. Its a story of 3 friends and their daily life. The stories are very real in our modern day world. Gabby is a housewife an Mom and is anxious to go back to work. She has no privacy to herself. Hayley is a friend who desperately wants a baby but has not been able to fulfill her dream. Lastly is Nicole who is divorced and has a son.
They are always there for support of each other. Gabby is trying to balance twin daughters, a 15 yr old pregnant step daughter and a husband that wants her to be a stay at home Mom and not go back to work. Hayley has trials and tribulations with her wanting a baby and any cost, reconnecting with her husband and becoming foster parents. Nicole has a great business and a son. Her ex does not come around and Jairus enters her life.
Gabby, Hayley and Nicole are always there for each other. They listen and help no questions asked. Gabby struggles with dealing with a 15 yr old step daughter who gets pregnant and going back to work and not liking working. Nicole is all about to having a baby and trying to remain healthy. Nicole is successful but is afraid of getting hurt and letting Jairus into her life.
This is a fantastic story and I could not put the book down. I enjoy Susan Mallery books and look forward to the next one.

The Friends We Keep
Susan Mallery has started a new series with her new town of Mischief Bay.
She continues the series with ‘The Friends We Keep’. She has created another beautiful town with residents we will love to follow.

Nicole and her son Tyler are back with the dreaded ‘Brad the Dragon’. Added into the mix are Gabby & Haley. We have fun, laughter, heartbreak, tears and unexpected solutions to some problems.

Fans of Susan Mallery books will love this story – then again – she has never written a book I haven’t liked.

I usually totally love Susan Mallery books, but I couldn't get past one thing in this book. The character of Hayley just didn't sit right with me. Hayley was unable to carry a pregnancy to term. Adoption was an obvious choice for her, yet she wouldn't even consider it. She had been adopted and then her adoptive parents had a biological child that Hayley always thought got what she wanted. She felt like the other daughter was loved more than she was because she was adopted. It seems to me that the natural reaction to adopting a child after that upbringing would to be to want to show the world that the child you adopt is dearly and deeply loved. I feel kind of petty, but the book just didn't ring true to me because of that.
On the other hand, I totally loved the relationship between Gabby and her stepdaughter. The trust that develops between them when the girl really needs it was wonderful. I also liked Nicole and her mother-in-law and their relationships with the men in their lives.