Cover Image: California Girls

California Girls

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

Finola, Zennie, and Ali are sisters that get dumped in the same week. These sisters work on starting their lives over while building their relationships with each other. This is a heartwarming, laugh out loud novel. Such a fun read, which I highly recommend.

Was this review helpful?

When couples break up it is easy to blame the other partner. Either the other partner did something to cause you to want out, or the partner initiated the breakup. In this story, three sisters had break-ups with the course of a week, and we follow them as they move from blaming the other person to accepting their part in it, and moving on.

I like the way Mallery not only looked at the couples' relationships but also the relationships each of the women had with people in general and how those relationship traits affected not only their romantic relationships but also the rest of their lives.

I don't think I was every surprised about how things happened, but this was a light interesting read.

I'd like to thank the publisher for making a review copy available via NetGalley. Somehow this didn't make it to the top of my list near publication time. Grade: B.

Was this review helpful?

Susan Mallery continues to write books that draw me in from page one, making me instantly feel at home in the world and with the characters she’s created. Her latest stand alone novel, California Girls, is no exception, and I dove right in and devoured the lives of three sisters who were all dumped in the same week. After reading several heavy psychological suspense and thrillers lately, this novel was just what I needed to lighten my reading palette. While California Girls deals with adultery, broken engagements, family conflicts, and personal and professional crises, Susan Mallery writes with such hope that these things are not insurmountable, and it is very enjoyable reading as the characters work things out for the ultimate better.

The three sisters couldn’t be more different or at different stages of their lives. Finola is the oldest and has been settled in her local television morning show host job for a while, and she’s settled in her marriage to a devoted plastic surgeon. But then she’s blindsided by her husband’s infidelity with a young pop star, and she’s left devastated and unsure of herself. Middle sister Zennie is an athletic OR nurse who is committed to her job and doesn’t see the point of being tied down to anyone. She just isn’t feeling it with the zookeeper she’s been seeing, and when Clark calls it off with her, Zennie isn’t that disappointed. Meek Ali is the youngest and is busy planning her wedding to demanding Glenn, but leaves bad-boy brother Daniel to call the wedding off for him. Leaving Ali devastated and wondering what went wrong, surprisingly friendly and supportive Daniel helps Ali pick up the pieces and cancel all of the wedding plans.

Finola’s convinced that she’s the sole victim in her marriage’s demise, and it takes a lot of work and soul searching to see what could have gone wrong in her privileged, uptight life. Moving back in with your equally judgmental and demanding mother sure gives you a different outlook on life, especially when you are going through a divorce to someone who was so outwardly perfect in everyone’s eyes.

Zennie has agreed to be her best friend’s surrogate by donating an egg and carrying the baby, and she’s now found that some of her friends and family do not support this selfless decision she’s made to help her friend. With her relationships tested as well as her life being turned upside with a pregnancy, Zennie isn’t sure that she can make it through to the end–but she must and she will prevail.

Ali is used to being overlooked–both at home and at work. But Daniel is different, and with his friendship she blossoms. She’s able to come out of her shell and become the person that has always been lurking in the shadows of her sisters, and she’s never felt better–once she realizes that she doesn’t care what anyone thinks.

I give California Girls a 4.5 out of 5. I really loved how each woman dealt with their losses and grew from their experiences, all while growing closer together as a family. The sisters’ mother was a bit one-note with the grandchildren talk for most of the novel, which was repetitive and annoying, and I wish we could have seen more of the younger two sisters’ father in the flesh. This was a classic Susan Mallery novel, and I didn’t want to put it down since I just had to know what was happening next. Full of friendship, hard work, family ties, and love, California Girls is a great novel from start to finish.

Was this review helpful?

Another story about sisters and their realtionships. I loved following each of them through there seperate journey and theirs together.

Was this review helpful?

I have read several books by Susan Mallery and I have enjoyed her writing style. I also enjoyed this book. This is the story of three sisters each dealing with a difficult personal situation. The sisters, at first, are not as supportive of each other as I expected, but I liked how the characters grew over the course of the story and were introspective about each of their situations. I was surprised about how their parents reacted to each situation as well. The story does alternate between the point of view of each of the sisters throughout the book which I liked, and felt that it gave me a better understanding of each of the characters. Overall a good read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Was this review helpful?

Three sisters are experiencing life changing events. Susan Mallery at her best. ARC from NetGalley.

Was this review helpful?

It only takes one week for Finola's picture perfect marriage to implode, for Zennie's maybe to dump her, and for Ali's fiance to send his brother to do his dirty work. One week, three sisters, three relationships. Like all sisters, there is love and there is competition and there are hard feelings from their unconventional upbringing with their highly disapproving mother. Forced to face their own issues, the sisters discover that to start over they first have to work together.

Filled with love, laughter, and heart, California Girls was the Susan Mallery read I didn't know I needed. It's women's fiction at it's best, with the three sisters uncovering their identities and learning how to be sisters again. It's about facing the past, facing the now, and making futures that rely on them finally standing on their own two feet. It's a bit heart-wrenching I admit, I cried a lot, especially with Ali's chapters, but it's also so heart warming. I love a good family story and this is the sort of romantic family story that I want to reread over and over.

Was this review helpful?

This wasn't a romance - it was more of a women's fiction, but I enjoyed it anyway. I love books with strong relationships and friendships between women, and these sisters were no exception!

Was this review helpful?

A cute, fun, beach=read novel about three very different sisters and their - to them - overbearing mom. On the very same day, all three women go through breakups of varying degrees: a marriage, an engagement, and a casual-dating scenario.

At the same time, their mom is cleaning out and packing up their childhood home so she can move to a condo more fitting of her lifestyle.

The breakups push the sisters into life-changing decisions, which include new careers, new relationships, and self-sacrifices.

There’s a lot of focus on hair, makeup, and clothing styles. I suppose it helps differentiate the sisters. But I did enjoy the mood=setting descriptions of LA landscapes, housing, and traffic.

An enjoyable story, if somewhat unbelievable and formulaic.

You might enjoy if you lik Joshilyn Jackson, Beth Harrison, Jill Shalvis,, Robin Carr, or Mary Alice Monroe.

Was this review helpful?

3.5 out of 5. Definitely enjoyed this more than The Summer of Sunshine and Margot. Ali was my fave - sorta couldn’t stand Finola and their mother. Also the transitions from character to character were sort of abrupt, but I do think that it made the book go by faster. The ending felt a bit rushed too... on to Sisters By Choice!

Was this review helpful?

Three sisters find themselves dumped on the same day and as they deal with the aftereffects, they find what has been missing in their lives.

Oldest sister, Finola is a popular TV morning show host who gets blindsided right before she goes on air with the news he is leaving her for a young pop star. Shattered, she is determined to show the world she is just fine even as she tries to pick up the pieces and hopes he comes to his senses, coming back to her.

Zennie is the middle sister who is athletic and is happy with her life. She doesn’t need a man or be part of a couple to be secure. When she agrees to be a surrogate for her best friend, she finds that being pregnant is a lonely thing when her support system all disapprove of her choice.

Youngest sister, Ali is used to being ignored as she isn’t the prettiest nor the favorite. When her fiancé has his brother call off the wedding, she is devastated yet Daniel, her ex’s brother, keeps showing up to help her through this tough time. But as Ali wonders, is Daniel seeing who Ali is in a way no one else has?

Three sisters, all very different yet all three find their way to one another in this time of crisis and change. Can they rebuild their lives after these setbacks?

CALIFORNIA GIRLS is a classic Susan Mallery story filled with intriguing characters and stories that intertwin with one another. I really enjoyed meeting and seeing the three sisters interact with one another as well as with other characters. The author does a great job in capturing the three different personalities in the sisters. I really enjoyed learning about each sister and their parents. I really liked Zennie’s storyline though Ali’s story was a close second but Finola’s story made it hard for me to empathize with in the beginning. The interactions with their mother made me laugh and I really enjoyed how they dealt with her in their own way. The story flows smoothly and kept my attention until the very end.

Meet the three sisters-Finola, Zennie and Ali. All three are different and unique but within twenty-four hours, their worlds change and explode. I loved meeting the sisters and how different they were together and apart. Finola is a TV talk show host with a great career and marriage. Zennie is independent and is an adrenaline junkie. Ali is the youngest sister and the overlooked one. She stirred my heart more than anyone as she kept putting herself down even as she had all these amazing qualities. She was the one sister I could relate to the most. This is an author who can deliver and create outstanding yet unique characters. I love how she puts three different personalities on the page, and you have no trouble keeping track of who was who. The secondary characters were just as enjoyable and entertaining.

CALIFORNIA GIRLS is a fun filled story filled with amazing characters and a story that will resonate with you long after you finished reading it. If you haven’t read one of this author’s books before, this is a perfect introduction to her writing style. I look forward to seeing where she goes next for her readers in the future.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement

Was this review helpful?

This book was not my usual cup of tea when it comes to books but still refreshing. A story about 3 very different sisters and critical turning points in their lives. California Girls gives us Fiona, the over achiever who's life blows up very publicly; Zennie, the loner who is absolutely content with the status quo of her life until she isn't; and Ali, the one who could never measure up to anyone in her life, who finds herself jilted by her fiance and finding solace in his brother. A coming of age story for all the mid lifers out there. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about these women coming into their own. Finding themselves when the world seems to be stacking up against them. It was a quick, enjoyable read.

Was this review helpful?

Susan Mallery has a way with words and she does not disappoint in California Girls.

This story was a delight to read and helps to show how easy it can be for family to not realize the struggles other family members endure. Ali feels like the invisible one. Zennie is the trailblazer. And, Finola seems to have the world eating out of her hand.

Only they all come to recognize the pain in their sisters after all three get dumped in one week. And it is through that realization that they forge stronger bonds as sisters while taking charge of their lives.

Was this review helpful?

Such a better book than I was anticipating. Normally when books are multi point of viewed, I always have one person whose story I prefer, and in this one, I wanted to hear all of them. I felt the characters and their relationships with each other were relatable and the story line evolved. A sweet beach read that's worth picking up. Thank you Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2926712750

Was this review helpful?

I started this book and thought "oh, I don't think I am going to like this". I couldn't have been more wrong. I loved this story and I couldn't put it down. This book is about life. Love, happiness, friendships and lost loves. I cried and I laughed and I hoped for things I knew were not going to happen. I highly recommend this book.

Thank you Harlequin and Netgalley for allowing me to read this title for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Finola, Ali, and Zennie have all failed to give their mother the one thing she wants most. Grandchildren. Finola has a dreamy husband, Ali is getting married, and even quirky Zennie has a potential guy. That is, until one weekend when all three of their relationships shatter. Mallory does an excellent job of making each sister unique and portray the relationships between them. I was hooked on each girl’s story from the beginning and flew through this novel. If you’re looking for a fun romance, grab this book. It’s a perfect beach read!

Was this review helpful?

Lovely feel good summer read. What’s not to love sun sea and sadly ur reading about it instead of living it. Easy to read and flowed well. Perfect summer book

Was this review helpful?

Sisters Finola, Zennie and Ali all get dumped on the same weekend.

Finola is married, she has finally decided she’s ready to have a baby. Right before leaving for vacation, her husband announced he’s having an affair. He’s leaving her.
Finola is a talk show host and the singer she’s about to interview is her husband’s mistress.

Zennie has gone on a few dates with Clark but doesn’t feel much fir him. She’s never really had strong romantic feelings for anyone.
When her best friend asks Zennie to be her surrogate, Zennie accepts.

Ali is 6 weeks away from getting married when her fiancée dumps her. Actually he doesn’t have the guts to do it In person, so his brother does it for him.
Ali finds herself able to rely on her ex’s brother way more than she ever could with him.

All three women question how they felt about their relationships and what changes to make to their lives in general.

What follows is a time if great change for all of the sisters.

I got to read an early copy of this book from NetGalley.

Was this review helpful?

How is it three sisters, Finola, Zennie and Ali, all get dumped in the same week? Well, that is what happened, and in this engaging story by Susan Mallery, we get to meet each sister. Their breakups, relationship, and future are explored in this wonderful book.

Finola, an LA morning show host, finds out, while on live TV, that her husband is having an affair. To say Finola was in shock is indeed an understatement. Finola must fight the tabloids, as the rumors are vicious. Then we meet Zennie, who really could care less about being broken up. Her mind is set up as to what she plans on doing. Ali is the most surprising of all the sisters. Ali's fiancé sends his brother, Daniel, to let Ali know the wedding is off. Now that Ali and Daniel seemed to be thrown together, the two of them learn a lot about each other and something slowly begins to bloom.

Watching each sister rebuild her life was very rewarding while reading this book. I could barely put this book don. I felt so connected to Finola, Zennie and Ali. Daniel was exception in this story, as was his family. Zennie was exceptional, because she made an amazing decision to help her best friend. That truly was impressive.

In writing this review I keep thinking who might be my favorite of the three. I will easily say Ali. She had real problems with insecurity and her growth was just so impressive. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to checking out Ms. Mallery's backlist and well as any future works that are released.

Many thanks to Mira Books and to NetGalley for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion.

Was this review helpful?

I can't say enough wonderful things about author Susan Mallery, I will say this about California Girls, this book was so good that I went out and bought a copy for my favorites shelf. I love her writing style and this book was the perfect beach/summer time read for me. I can't get enough of her books.

Was this review helpful?