I loved and hated parts of this book. 2 of the characters drove me batty being so self centered they didn't see how they hurt each other. Fiola, oldest sister and one of the exasperating girls is dumped by her husband because he is seeing a young popular singer and her life becomes a media circus. Her sister Ali, who I loved is dumped by her fiance shortly before their wedding. He sends his brother with the news because he was just not going to show at the wedding. Luckily Daniel wouldn't let that happen and helps Ali cope with all the cancellations and getting on with her life. Zennie, has decided to become a surrogate mother for her best friend and I was surprised by all the hostility this caused among her friends and family. Finally, Mom who I thought needed a good slap is selling her house and furniture and moving to the coast. All in all I enjoyed reading this delightful family novel. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Susan Mallery has done it again. This is a power story of love and loss. The bonds of sisters simply cannot be broken or forsaken. I could not put This book down! Now I along with thousands of other fans wait for Susan to tell some more of this story.

Susan Mallery has crafted a brilliant story that will make you laugh, cry, and want to throw things! I loved the three sisters I loved the dynamic between the sisters. One of the greatest joys of reading is the ability to escape, that is why I read to relax and zone out. Susan Mallery is an awesome writer and I can melt into her stories and forget whatever stresses are going at the moment.

I ended up DNF'ing this one, Which made me sad because I love this authro's books. But when a woman's first response tp finding out her husband had been cheating on her is to think maybe he will change his mind, I'm out. If I was that character, I would have called out the singer he slept with while she was on the stage during y morning TV show. I just had no desire to read any more after that.

I loved the sister dynamics in this book. This author always seems to give us an amazing story line to read and follow. Her characters are multi dimensional. I enjoyed this book just as much as all the other books I have read over the years from this author.

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by NetGalley.

An excellent view of how life can take a turn for the absolute worst and you need to overcome to rebuild a better you as well as a better life. This story takes a stark look at 3 sisters who all get dumped the same weekend and how they find the ways to rebuild their individual lives as well as the relationships that may have taken a back seat to growing up and moving on. Some romance and some individual growth will lead them to each find the correct path for each of them to take.

Holy cow, CALIFORNIA GIRLS is one crazy story! Three sisters all get dumped in the same week and to say they are devastated is a huge understatement! I have two sisters so I totally understood some of the feelings they had. Finola is a tv host for a morning show in Los Angeles. Zennie is a surgical nurse and Ali works for an auto parts warehouse. These three sisters couldn’t be more different but they are about to find out just how strong their sister bond is. Their mother, Mary Jo has been after all three daughters to give her grand babies and needless to say, she isnt happy with the latest turn of events.

CALIFORNIA GIRLS is exactly why I love Susan Mallery’s books. She had me sad on one page and giggling out loud on the next. This story is all about family and the past and the life lessons are heart tugging. It had me flipping through the pages like a woman on a mission. I had to know what was going to happen to these three sisters and all the secondary characters. CALIFORNIA GIRLS is a perfect story that will hold you hostage until the very last page. Once you start reading, it will be very hard to put down! You also won’t be able to stop yourself from laughing at Daniel and the way he won’t leave Ali alone!

In CALIFORNIA GIRLS, all of the characters are very interesting and believable, so much so that I felt as if I’ve known them for a long time. I would love to hang out with these sisters. I’m sure they could teach me a thing or two and I know they would keep my laughing all day long! I love how Susan Mallery does that to me each and every time. She has me longing to find friends just like her characters. There is so much heart in Susan’s writing that I was left with a huge smile on my face and my heart very happy. Susan Mallery is the queen of writing heartfelt stories about sisters and family drama. If you are looking for a quick, funny, feel good story, you can’t go wrong with CALIFORNIA GIRLS!

Susan Mallery delivers another great book. I love the dynamic these three sisters have. They are so different, but family ties them together.

Susan Mallery is one of the best authors out there for creating flawed characters woven into complex family dynamics as evidenced in her newest novel, California Girls. These three sisters, and their self-absorbed mother, could not be more different yet beneath their differences runs a strong bond of connection that, while stretched to its limit, is never broken. It's those contradictions, and connections, that pulled me into this story and held my attention throughout.

Infusing their journeys with humor, heartbreak, selfless generosity, and poignant reflection, Mallery brings each of the sisters to life on the page and in my heart. I suffered, and rejoiced, with them as they gradually evolved and cheered them on as they began to take control of their present, their future, their relationships, and their eventual joy. And, if I was hoping for a happily-ever-after for their mother for the sole reason of getting her off her daughters' backs, I'm okay with that.

If you're looking for a novel that will make you laugh, make you cry, make you want to string certain men up by their unmentionables, lavish others with affection and praise, and celebrates the special - and complicated - bond of sisters, don't miss California Girls by Susan Mallery.

4.5 stars

Mallery’s newest is definitely more women’s fiction than romance, so you need to be prepared for time spent with the sisters but hardly any with their respective men.

Well, two of the sisters – one of them definitely has a bit more of a love story going on, without shortchanging any of her personal growth and development. There is a new(ish) man in Ali’s life and he helps her see herself differently. She listens and learns and finds her true self buried behind years of doubt. I really like the woman she becomes and where her life is heading.

Finola has to do a lot of self-evaluation. With the betrayal by her husband it is easy to lay the blame totally on him but every relationship has two people in it. No one wants to hear that some of the fault is their’s when a spouse cheats and Finola is no different. But time and a few tough conversations has her looking at herself and exactly how much she’s invested in the people around her.

Zennie is probably the hardest for me to connect to. I get where she’s coming from and really you can’t understand what pregnancy does to you until you actually experience it (man, those hormones!), but it’s such a unique situation. I did enjoy how Mallery explores, at least for a while, the idea that not everyone wants or needs to be coupled up. That is the most interesting part of Zennie’s story – her comfort with her life as it is, with friends, family, work, and hobbies.

My only real complaint is that, with three sisters all having a big part of the story, there is a lot of back and forth between them. It is kinda hard to really get into one part of it knowing you are going to be pulled out and into another. After a while I got used to it but I don’t think that I was ever fully able to commit.

Charm, though, is always a mainstay of Mallery’s stories and this one is no different. There is plenty to smile about but she also delivers on the harder emotions as the sisters evaluate themselves and their lives. It’s not easy when you have to face your shortcomings but these women manage to come out of it stronger.

Susan always give her readers what they want. This book about 3 wonderful sisters proves it. Each sister is so different but when it counts they stand together. Thank you Susan,
publishers and NetGalley for a wonderful book.

They have the same experience on the same day. Three sisters must pull themselves up to carry on with their lives after they're dumped by the men in their lives. One sister will help her best friend, another tries to avoid humiliation, and the last one tries not to fall in love with her rescuer. A mother who wants what her friends have, which is grandbabies, along with help moving to a smaller house. Will they take back the men in their lives, or can they figure out that their lives are better off with out them?

Finola Carrado is about to start a week long vacation with her husband Nigel. Before they can leave she must do her TV show. Minutes before she's about to go live Nigel shows up and tells her about the affair he's been having. To ad insult the situation the mistress is her guest that day, a young superstar singer. She tries to reveal the affair but Finola doesn't go along with her. She makes it home and then she falls apart. In shock and denial, Finola keeps waiting for Nigel to return so they can build their lives again. She goes at the end of the week to her mother's house to help clean out the house and tells her family about what happened. She goes back to work and confides in her assistant. As time passes the tabloids figure out about the affair, putting Finola more into the spot light. She carries on. Nigel stops by the house and treats her rudely. She only blames her husband and doesn't take a call from her father well. Finola begins to think about her part in her marriage falling apart. She debates whether or not they should get back together once the affair is over. The more she thinks about thing the she realizes she is a self absorbed person and needs to change her way and wants to get closer to her sisters. Nigel asks to come back and finds the gift she had for him. They decide its better if they get a divorce. Finola is offered a chance at a network job in New York and takes it.

Zennie Schmitt has always figured that she would spend her life alone. She's just not that into men and has no feelings for the man she's currently dating, Clark. Before she can break off with him he breaks off with her. She is fine with it but seems to think about him quite often. Her job as an OR nurse and friends keep her very busy and she loves her life as it is. Her best friend comes to her wanting Zennie to be a surrogate for her and her husband so they can have a baby. She doesn't have to think long about it at all and goes ahead with the idea. On a trip to her doctor to check her health for the procedures, they realize that she's ovulating at that moment so they go ahead with the procedure. She gets pregnant on the first try. Then Zennie starts to realize the enormity of the pregnancy and how its going to affect the next few months of her life. She gets annoyed with all the healthy things she must do and what she can't do. Zennie tells her family and gets support from her youngest sister, Ali. Her parents and Finola is another story along with several of her friends. Two months into the pregnancy Clark calls and says he misses her and wants to be friends. She agrees and they start hanging out. He even comes to help with the estate sale. As Clark and Zennie spend just about all their time together they become very close. She goes into labor and everyone comes to the hospital. She realizes how Clark makes her feel and they share a kiss.

Ali Schmitt is the youngest daughter and is engaged to be married in about 7 weeks. She's the average one and the one her parents never paid much attention to, like she was invisible. She arrives home from her work at the parts warehouse. A knock on her door has her future brother-in-law at the door. She's worried something is wrong with her fiance. He's come to tell her that the fiance is breaking off the engagement. Ali explodes and Daniel is there to help her through it and tells her he'll be back the next day. Zennie comes to support her. Ali gets drunk and wakes up feeling hungover. Daniel shows up with information to help her to cancel everything. A text to the ex-fiance has a check coming to help with costs. Daniel is there every step of the way to help her out. Ali begins to realize that he makes her feel safe and loved but doesn't want to do anything because it would be weird to date your exes' brother. The more they hang out together the more drawn she is to him. Ali starts to make changes in her life with Daniel's support and friendship. She hears of a job opening at work and must show confidence to apply for the job. She looses her apartment and forgot to cancel the cake. Ali and Daniel steal her mother's grandfather clock because she has always loved it but her mom doesn't want to give it to her. They weekend of what was supposed to be the wedding Daniel takes her away and they start a real relationship beyond friends. Daniel tells her he's had feelings for her since he first saw her. Ali must get through a delicate situation with the would be in laws. She confronts her ex-fiance and gets more money from him for the cancellation of the wedding. He comes to her new job at the warehouse and ask for another chance which she says no. She has moved in with Daniel and ready to tell him she loves him. He's already told her. A question is asked and answered. A wedding elopement is planned.

Mary Jo Schmitt is the mother of these three women and has been harping on them to give her grandbabies, like her friends. Her first husband died shortly after their marriage and she had Finola, who's her favorite. She makes it Ali's fault when she hears that the engagement is off. Mary Jo goes ballistic when she hears her middle daughter Zennie is pregnant and giving the baby to her best friend. While cleaning out the house the girls grew up in they come across things they want to keep and a secret from Mary Jo's past. An affair with a well known actor when Finola was a baby comes to light. At the estate sale the man from the past shows up to look at the memorabilia. Mary Jo leaves for lunch with him not to return for several day. They have all come back together and are closer when Zennie gives birth. Mary Jo is marrying the well known actor in a destination wedding with family and close friends. She's excited that she technically has a grandchild and is going to be able to see the baby Zennie just had.

These three women are brought closer together as sisters because of the emotional upheaval they go thru and realize that you can rely on your family no matter what. Friendships can be like family. And even if you don't think you need someone in your life you'll find the one for you. An emotional story with some humor thrown into the mix. You will be wanting to find out what happens. I look forward to catching up with these sisters in the near future. Will Zennie and Clark get married? Can Finola find the love of her life in her new life in New York or will Nigel come back into her life? Where are Ali and Daniel headed and what will she be doing with her new found confidence?

California Girls is the story of three sisters who have major upheavals in their lives and how they handle their new normal. Finola is a TV host whose husband tells her that he is leaving her for another woman just as she is going on air to interview a young pop princess. Adding to the agony, said singer lets Finola know that she is the one that Finola’s husband is cheating with and makes snide remarks throughout the interview.

Ali works in a garage and is preparing for her wedding when her future brother-in-law, Daniel, comes to tell her that Her fiancée Glen doesn’t want to marry her and is calling off the wedding. Daniel becomes Ali ‘s supportas she slogs through the process of calling off the arrangements and moving on.

Zennie is content with her life as a surgical nurse and a single woman. She breaks up with Clark, a man she has been casually dating because there isn’t any spark. When her best friend asks her to be a surrogate for she and her husband, Zennie makes a life altering decision.

In most stories the three sisters would bond together and emerge with a sparkling new future. That is not how this story goes. Finola is too wrapped up in her own mess to offer support to her sisters. Ali makes choices that her sisters and mother have problems accepting and Zennie’s pregnancy really throws a curve into the family dynamics. Topping the dysfunctional pyramid is the sisters mother, Mary Jo, who never seems able to be understanding or empathic but who also surprises us every now and then.

To me, this book tells the story of how the people we love and the life we live is not guaranteed. Relationships are work and you can’t take love for granted. Each of the sisters learns things about themselves that they don’t like acknowledging but also find out what their strengths are and how they can move on either alone or with someone. This was an enjoyable and thoughtful read.

I am an avid fan of Susan Mallery and her wonderful books. No surprise that California Girls is another favorite of mine! I loved the three sisters of this story. The story follows the sisters as they each recover from emotional upheavals. I don't want to give any spoilers so I will just say you will not regret purchasing this novel.


I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

I usually have a hard time following along with different perspectives but I managed to get the hang of it once I got to learn so much about each of the siblings. I thought it was interesting getting to know thier story. Each of them where going through a major change in their life with Finola finding out her husband was cheating on her with a young pop star. Then there was Zennie going through the decision of having her best friends baby and seeing who is really close to her when she tells everyone the news. Then there was Ali who deems herself as average but manages to score a fiance only for her to have the news broken to her by his bother. Each girl had many problems to face and listening to each others problems and there was so much going but once you get the hang of who is who you'll find this book pretty enjoyable. I thought it was interesting seeing peoples reactions towards each of their news. These girls were facing tough times and managed to face things. This book was about heart break, healing and getting back on their feet. It was a pretty great book and I really enjoy it. The one thing I will say is that I did not like their mother. I mean shes not a horrible person but still her reaction and other stuff. Just rubbed me the wrong way. If you read the book you'll see why and agree. But anyways, this was a pretty great book Highly Recommend!

I’ve never been disappointed with a Susan Mallery book! This one was so good! Lots of family drama, that wasn’t in the realm of impossible. These are three sisters whose love lives all seem to come apart at once. With a disappointed mother who feels like she will never become a grandmother, to a father who doesn’t seem to care, these sisters seem to be able to move on from the break ups.

Three sisters all experience a break up on the same day. Fiona is a LA morning show host and is in total shock when her husband Nigel has an affair with a young music star. Not only does Nigel blindside Fiona, but she is humiliated to have to interview the young music star on her show. Fiona thinks she is without fault in her crumbled marriage.
Zennie is determined to be independent and doesn’t need to be in a ‘relationship’, and Clark knows it so he ends things before they go too far. When Zennie’s longtime friend Bernie asks her to be a baby surrogate, Zennie thinks it is a great opportunity to help her friend by giving her a great blessing. But then the regrets come, when Zennie is alone and pregnant and realizes that pregnancy is not as easy as she had originally thought.
Ali, the youngest, less obvious sister is dumped by her fiancé less than two months before the wedding. Not only that, her fiancés Glen’s brother Daniel is the one to deliver the devastating break up news. Daniel begins to be a rock for Ali to lean on, helping her through the difficulty of cancelling the wedding.
This story of three sisters and how they work together to strengthen their relationships and find their way back to normal. With some push from their mother and some time to find out who they are without a man in their lives, they find their new selves.
This is a romantic story by Susan Mallory. It uncovers what happens when you begin to believe and accept one thing and find out when it falls apart that maybe it was never meant to be and how to pick up the pieces and move on. A heartwarming story of the unbreakable bond sisters share.

Traveling With T’s Thoughts:

I really enjoy Susan’s Mischief Bay series, but I also adore her standalones- like Daughters of the Bride. When I saw this book on Netgalley, I could not hit the request button fast enough.

What I Liked:

The cover. Fresh and fun.

The sisters! I love their relationships. The ups and downs. The way they love each other, but also how realistic they were. Their relationships were not all sugar and spice and everything nice.

How the book ends. While I would be fine with how the sisters’ stories end- IMO, Susan left it to where we might could hear from them again in some way. And I would totally be ok with that.



Bottom line: If this cover doesn’t pull you out of a winter funk- nothing will. The bonus: The story is GOOD.



*This book was sent to Traveling With T for review consideration. All thoughts and opinions are mine alone. California Girls is also a February 2019 #FuturisticFriday pick of mine.*

Ms. Mallery writes two types of stories. The fun, quirky love stories with a happily ever after and the deeper higher intensity emotionally centered women's fiction. While I love the quirky love stories that provide a light happy read, books it's these deep books that delve into my own psyche and engage me in very different ways to leave a lasting impression that reveal Ms. Mallery's talent as a writer.
Three sisters similar and yet unique walking their own path, living their own heartbreak coming together stronger than ever as the book unfolds. Finola the oldest who seems to have it the most together in love with her husband and career who has perhaps the hardest path to walk when it all falls apart on her.
Zennie in the middle marches to her own drum finds how life can change when she decides to become a surrogate for a friend who can't have a baby. and Ali the youngest, who feels invisible amongst her accomplished sisters. When her fiancé stands her up at the 11th hour before their wedding, she finds a love for the ages but is almost to afraid to grasp it.
I really liked how the author blends in three stories to create a compelling novel where she also engages the parents and brings in the past with the present to create a stronger present. All and all another winner from the author that is a great read.

Fionola is the oldest of the sisters, she thinks her life is sorted, a radio talk show host, married to Nigel and about to go on holiday to Hawaii where she hopes to get pregnant........ that is until Nigel tells her that he has been seeing the guest she is about to go on air to interview! Zinnie is dumped the same week but she knew it was going nowhere, as with all her relationships, so she wasn't bothered. That leaves the youngest Ali, due to get married...... until Daniel her prospective brother in law turns up to tell her that Glenn is about to abandon her at the altar!

Another good book by this author the girls all have their problems that they solve in their own unique ways! A great beach read