For the Love of Summer. Susan Mallery has written an excellent story dealing with the damage caused by emotional abuse and how painful it can be to recognize the lingering effects and challenges. The author focuses on Erica, the very successful ex-wife of Peter Jenkins, who is bullied by her 16 year old daughter, Summer to support Allison, the current wife when husband Peter is arrested for serious federal crimes. As the story unfolds readers slowly learn how Peter’s selfishness has undermined the confidence of the three women who should have been the most important parts of his life. The friendship that develops between the two women is inspiring and ultimately leads to some unexpected changes in more than several lives. It’s a wonderfully empowering story. I voluntarily reviewed an advance copy of this book from NetGalley. Most highly recommend.

I really enjoyed this book. I was happy that a favorite author had a new release so of course was looking forward to reading it and yet kept thinking the premise was more than a little far fetched. I mean in what world would a happily divorced, successful woman help out the new wife of her shameless, gutless, thieving (known only to her) lying jerk of an ex husband who walked away without warning or a look back and how would the author create a scenario in which it would make any sense to me or any reader? Unsurprisingly Susan Mallery wrote a wonderful story about women supporting women, getting beyond their own heads, hearts and ego, standing by each other and helping them to stand on their own to live their best lives. So while I started reading with a lot of skepticism, I finished it thinking that every woman should have friends like Erica and Summer, be open to possibilities of all kinds, let people in and be open to possibilities of friendship in the last place we could imagine.

Mallery's latest is a beautiful story of forgiveness, family, and friendship. When her ex-husband finds himself in legal trouble, Erica is faced with a difficult decision; whether to assist his pregnant wife and young son or leave them to fend for themselves. While staying out if it might please Erica, it may permanently impact her relationship with her daughter, Summer. As she steps in to help, she may find that the person she is helping the most is herself. For the Love of Summer is a beautiful read full of the complications and joy that family brings.

FOR THE LOVE OF SUMMER by Susan Mallery
On sale JUNE 4/ 2024

Erica is a strong, independent woman. She is a mother to a wonderful teenager, Summer, and owns TWISTED, a collection of four spa/salons that are number one in Seattle. The only thing is that she is divorced from Peter, who is now married to Allison who is expecting their second child. Even though she no longer loves her ex-husband, he is part of their lives because of Summer.

But when Peter ends up in jail, his and Allison’s funds are frozen and Allison is left high and dry with tons of questions for her husband, no money, pregnant with a two year old and having to vacant her rental in a month, what is she going to do?

Summer convinces her mother that even though Allison is married to her ex-husband, she needs their help. Strangely enough, Erica needs a friend as much as Allison needs her help. Can they weather through the storm Peter has thrown them into?

This was one of my favorite books, if not my favorite by Susan Mallery! I loved everything about it. The storyline was so unique, and the characters were all likeable. I could not put this down. Definitely will recommend !!!

I think this is Susan Mallery’s best book yet. She writes about betrayal, new beginnings and love. The last thing Erica expected was her 16 year old daughter talking her into moving her ex husband’s new wife, her toddler son and soon to be born baby girl to live with them. She also did not expect to become friends with the woman. It was fun to watch their friendship develop and how they helped each other. The situations and characters are very real and most are likable. I recommend this book to any woman. I received an arc of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.

Susan Mallery is one of my all time favorite authors and I absolutely devoured "For the Love of Summer". You can never go wrong with one of her books!

This is my first novel by Mallery and I was not disappointed! For starters, I absolutely loved Erica's character - she's a strong and no-nonsense kind of woman with tons of growth to show her compassionate side. She had great chemistry with Allison, and I enjoyed seeing them go from enemies to friends over such a difficult event. I had so much compassion for Summer as well, dealing with far beyond what anyone at her age should have to experience. While I can't relate directly to what they went through, "For the Love of Summer" was very relatable as it touched on themes such as love, loss, family, parenthood, manipulation, and navigating the messy lives of teenagers. This one would be a great book club or beach read. Thanks so much for the ARC!

Thank you to Netgalley, the author Susan Mallery along with the publishers for this advanced copy & letting me review it. This was a 3 star read along with being such a heartfelt enjoyable book to read. This was my second novel by Susan Mallery that I have read and it did not disappoint. I will definitely be reading more books by this author. I really admired how the author wrote in great detail the ups and downs the main characters struggle through. I enjoy how it shows different things in life people go through in addition to how their character deals with it and how they handle things. It was a great book to read & I hope people will enjoy reading For The Love Of Sunmer as much as I did.

This was a wonderful story, with themes of a strong family and new beginnings. The main characters are the current and ex wives of a man, Peter, who ends up in jail, and how the women grow within themselves and their situation.

I would highly recommend this book. The characters were well written and, for the most part, likeable. Erica’s been burned by her ex-husband and is now guilted by her daughter into picking up the pieces of her ex-husband’s problems by providing support for his current, very pregnant wife. The growth of the relationship between the ex and current wives shows the growth of these characters, not only between them but carries over to other aspects of their lives. The daughter’s increased awareness of her father’s manipulation is welcome. I thought that the conclusion, while somewhat predictable, was tied up nicely but not overly done.

For the Love of Summer by Susan Mallery Interesting premise. Enjoyed the characters, Erica, Allison, Summer, Mara, Jackson (of course) and Killion. Engaging story of hope, love, family, and friendships. Fast paced with laugh out loud moments and tears, both happy and sad ones. A beautiful story.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

4.5 stars
Erica a very successful woman who finds herself in a position no one wants to be in. Her whole life has been about helping and empowering women who are in desperate need of help but when her daughter comes to her begging her to help her step mother, Erica can’t even fathom the thought. She learns that sometimes people have told lies about the other person and when you get to know them your opinion changes.
A great read about devastation, love and hope

Ex wife, current wife, daughter, toddler son with a baby girl on the way - this group is connected through con man Peter - ex husband, husband, and father of the three children. Peter's been arrested for embezzlement leaving his pregnant current wife and toddler son looking at homelessness. Summer, the teenage daughter comes to the rescue. She brings her stepfamily home to her mother's and a village is formed. And, Killion, the to die for, swoon worthy hero of the story !! Holy moly Susan Mallery has a way with heroes.

Five stars from me. This is an excellent beach read.

My thanks to #NetGalley for the opportunity to early read For The Love Of Summer in return for a fair and honest review.

Susan Mallery is a must read for me. And For the Love of Summer did not disappoint! I really enjoyed this story about Erica, a single mom, who ends up taking in and helping Allison, her ex husband's wife. It was an interesting plot line I hadn’t seen before. And I really enjoyed seeing the friendship between these two women develop and seeing Erica learn to try to trust and find love again. Highly recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced reader copy. Much appreciated!!

This book had me cracking up, and tearing up a few times. It was an emotional roller coaster, a ride that I definitely enjoyed taking and I am already looking forward to Mallory’ next.

Susan Mallery has written another great book that I could not put down. Summer is a sixteen year old girl who has a great heart and cares about others. Summer steps in when her Dad is sent to prison and her stepmother, who has a toddler, is pregnant and is homeless needs help. She talks her mother Erica into taking Allison and Jackson into their home. Erica and Allison barely knew each other at the time and the only thing they had in common was Peter. Allison had heard horrible things about Erica from Peter and she soon discovered that they were all lies. The two women become friends and Allison receives unbelievable support from Erica, who is a successful business woman. A lesson learned from Erica is women need to protect their assets and fortunately, Erica had done that and Peter walked away with nothing. Otherwise, she would not have been able to help Allison. I highly recommend this book for ages teens to adults. There are many lessons to be learned for all age groups.

When tragedy strikes, we can wallow in adversity or find a path to succeed. .Erica and Allison ban together for the love of Summer. The teen is committed to helping Allison and stepbrother after her father is taken to jail. While only sixteen, she makes it her mission to solve their financial problems by enlisting Erica to allow Summer's stepfamily to move into their home.

Erica and Allison form an unlikely friendship each possessing a strength the other lacks. Erica is a leader and always appears under control yet she's afraid to trust men. Allison greatest gift is her love for people but she needs stability Erica affords. Full of charm, wit and the novel depicts the lengths people will go to help others. Readers will become an honorary family member while reading #FortheLoveofSummer.

Allison's life is suddenly upended when she finds her bank accounts frozen and her husband jailed. Her stepdaughter, Summer, and her husband's ex-wife, Erica, become involved and invested in Allison's life as she is balancing life with a toddler, a baby on the way, and a husband with many legal troubles. Allison and Erica have very different backgrounds and lives, but the common thread of the Summer, and their husband/ex-husband finds them brought together whether they like it or not.

I enjoyed this book but I didn’t think I was going to. The idea of your ex husband’s wife moving in with you was a hard thing to imagine. But I couldn’t put the book down waiting to see what happened next. A very satisfying read and a wonderful ending. Loved it.