Susan Mallery’s The Summer of Sunshine and Margot is the story of two sisters who are complete opposites struggling with old baggage and new lives.

No matter how difficult things get, the Baxter girls are always there for one another.  Having been abandoned by their mother at birth, they were raised by their image-obsessed pageant consultant grandmother, and both bear the scars of her parenting as they muddle through life.

Alec Mcnicol hires Margot as an etiquette coach for his mother, the quirky character actress Bianca Wray, whose engagement to a diplomat is going to see her having to move in very different circles from the ones she currently inhabits.  Seeing as Bianca is better known for sex tapes and flashing her boobs at the Academy Awards than her grace and poise, Margot has her work cut out for her, and agrees to spend the summer at Alec’s converted monastery home coaching party-loving Bianca about the dos and don’ts of high society, Margot doesn’t expect to begin to fall in love with the guarded Alec along the way.

Margot’s fraternal twin sister, Sunshine, has a very different problem. Blaming her bombshell body for the way others treat her, she’s constantly falling into insta-love with the wrong guys, choices that has wrecked her life and ruined her multiple attempts to start a serious career.  Swearing off men, she’s trying to settle down, has enrolled in college and bought a car with help from Margot, and is working as a nanny for young Connor Dubois.  Since his dad, Declan, has been recently widowed she figures he won’t be romantically interested in her – but unfortunately for her, Declan’s marriage has been dead longer than his wife, and he’s got eyes for Sunshine and the effortless joy she brings into his family.

Soon, Bianca takes Margot and Sunshine under her wing, and the women form a friendship that faces many ups and downs as the twins pursue (or are pursued by) their men. Margot tries to loosen up, Sunshine tries to grow up, and Bianca tries to rise to the occasion.  But there’s a secret behind Bianca’s joie de vivre that prompts her bad behavior in public – a secret that could shatter all of the progress she’s made.

The Summer of Sunshine and Margot works as both a contemporary women’s novel and a character study of three opposing personalities that come together and learn to deal with their pain.

Each couple and main character has issues that are interesting to peel apart.  Margot and Alec are a study in repression. She wears a ponytail and is businesslike to the core, and he is the flavor of conservative that allows him to collect erotic netsuke sculptures and hide them behind a secret panel.  Part of me honestly wished that he were with Sunshine, because the dynamic between them would have been a hair less predictable and more friction-heavy, yet Margot and Alec were a charming pairing of similar personalities.

I was less keen on Sunshine and Declan’s love story, though that wasn’t Sunshine’s fault.  Their relationship contains a major stumbling block that kept the book from reaching A-grade territory, which is the post-mortem characterization of his late wife as a shrew. It’s not enough that she’s been dead of cancer for five months, we have to be told that their marriage had been crumbling for years beforehand because of her infidelity, just to hammer in how good Sunshine is and how bad the dead wife was.  Why not simply have the poor woman be dead for a few years and Declan at a realistic post-mourning point that would allow him to date but have Sunshine still feel weird about being with her because of Connor’s attachment to his mother?  Come on, authors, you don’t have to convince us our hero (and his kids) love New Mommy much much more than Old Mommy, especially in this fashion.  The best parts of Sunshine’s story are definitely about her learning how to accept fault for her choices. I even liked little Connor who, with his ant obsession, felt realistically kid-like.

My favorite character though was flawed, lively Bianca - I could have spent multiple books with her. At first she’s an amusing cross between Jayne Mansfield and Pamela Anderson – Jayne, in fact, did pull some of the stunts in real life that Bianca does in fiction.  But then a very deep, very trigger-inducing surprise is revealed about her past that explains her moments of aggression and make her even more sympathetic than she already was.  And yes, this part of the plot includes a warning for child abuse, physical and emotional.

The rest of The Summer of Sunshine and Margot’s flaws are minor, such as the unnecessary stalker, an ex-boyfriend of Margot’s who appears briefly and hangs in the background until the plot needs Alec to take a level  in badass.  Oh, and there’s also a scene where our protagonists go sock-skating in a puddle of spilled soup, which is supposed to be charming but just nauseatingly reminded me of Patch Adams rolling around in a pool of cold spaghetti.

Otherwise though,The Summer of Sunshine and Margot is a fun, full-blooded story of friendship, romance, letting go and accepting yourself, and is the best of Mallery’s recent novels.

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Two romances for the price of one! Margot and Sunshine are twins who are trying to become more than just twins, and become the best versions of themselves. The plot is predictable, but the characters themselves are aboslutely lovely. Each sister has an unique romance situation and they're a delight to read.

Another Susan Mallery book, another winner of a story. Being a great fan of the author, I resisted reading any previews. I am so glad. The sisters background and current lives were so interesting. I can imagine this being a true story. Well a bit true. I can never think someone can meet famous and rich people and then welcomed into their lives. Yet Margot was invited for a job. A fast read. Yes I recommend!

As a long-time fan of the author, I was really excited about reading this book. Sadly, there was just something lacking for me.

It wasn't the character of Sunshine. I felt her repeated pain of being reduced to nothing but her appearance. She was such a good person, a loving person. For all that to be dismissed, for the men to treat her so horribly ... well, I was literally in tears. (And while I understood what happened with Declan it still felt like a kick in the chest.)

And while Margot and Alec moved forward at a faster rate, I really had problems with her so-called friends who nagged at her to give her ex another chance. I don't care what you think about a friend's relationship, you're supporting the friend in their decisions - even the bad ones. I also felt that Margot didn't really change as much as her twin did. For them both to have been presented as suffering under "the Baxter Curse", it really didn't seem that hard for Margot. (Not to mention all talk of the curse disappeared. Why set it up in such a way and then not have them realise that the curse has been "lifted" or they've escaped it, etc.?)

Bianca's secret should have been revealed sooner, and been more of a catalyst for change. For her not to share with Margot when the younger woman was taking things so personally seemed almost cruel. And was she really that obtuse about having her picture in the paper?

Now Connor, on the other hand, was a joy to read about. There were times when I forgot that he was supposed to be 8/9 years old, as some of his behaviours seemed for someone younger. But my son was pretty advanced for his age, so his speech fit someone younger and his apparent age. He was adorable and not many authors I've read over the years have managed to write child characters so well.

My last complaint about the book is the title. Everything takes place before the summer time. From the title, I was expecting the events to occur over the space of a single summer.

Overall, the writing was strong, dialogue impeccable, and the story enjoyable. I would have liked the pacing to have moved a little fast, but that's a personal preference. While not one of my favourites, I remain a fan of the author and look forward to her next book.

Received an ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.

I loved this. Everything about this read had me completely invested (so much so that I missed my train stop...twice!). The characters were real and you wanted them to get a happy ending/happy for now. I found myself wanting Declan and Sunshine to break the rules and fall in love. I wanted Alec to let go a little and realize what a catch Margot was. I wanted to know more about Connor and his ants and hear how Bianca was going to do once she'd finished her lessons.

Mallery has a way of crafting a world that is completely real, and yet the way she writes, there's a whimsy there that has almost a magical quality. I don't know if it's her character development or the writing style, but every time I open one of her books, I'm completely and totally transported to that world (even though it's supposed to be this world lol).

Whether you've read a ton of Mallery books (as I have) or are reading her for the first time, you won't be disappointed. You should buy/borrow this book and just bask in all that it is. This is the perfect summer read, but I can see myself rereading it down the line. Well done Susan...great read!

The Summer of Sunshine and Margot is a story filled with growing, family togetherness and working past your past mistakes. Margot and Sunshine are twins who are trying to become more then their past and become their better selves. Sunshine is amazing with kids and is trying to become more then a bed hopper. When she finally lands in a household of a single father you can feel her struggle. It's a slow grow love between Declan and Sunshine. You can feel her love for his son Connor from the very start. Margot is an etiquette coach trying to help actress Bianca fit into a more political world that her fiance belongs too. Even when she feels like she is failing she is truly learning along with Bianca. I love the chemistry between Declan and Sunshine and Margot and Alec Bianca's son. It was a fun read to follow along these two sisters and watch the changes both Sunshine and Margot. Such a beautiful read.

Two romances in one story as we get to know the Baxter sisters, Margot and Sunshine. Margot is interviewing for a new job as an etiquette coach for an aging actress marrying a diplomat. Sunshine is going to be a Nanny who is determined to get her life together and not fall in love with her new boss. Each sister and their romance is unique and fun to read. You can guess the plot line but it's still a great story as you wonder if things will go as expected or take a major turn. Susan Mallery always delivers a good book and some great characters. She certainly didn't disappoint with this one I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

A light, easy story, good for carefree summer reading. Interesting characters and some twists to keep it interesting.

Susan Mallery has done it again! To this day she is one of my favorite authors - she never dissappoints. Whenever I need a pick me up or feel good book I know exactly where to turn every time!

This is a moving novel about Sunshine and Margot Baxter, fraternal twins, who have come a long way since their mother left them when they were very young. These two sisters are so very different, but there is one thing that they are both searching for... true love! Sunshine and Margot have such a strong bond that you just can't help rooting for them to succeed!

Susan Mallery is a fantastic storyteller who can make you feel like you are right in the setting of the story - there's definitely a reason she stays at the top. This was a fast read with relatable characters, romance, humor, and family drama. Highly Recommend!

Summer of Sunshine and Margot is a beautifully written romance with threads of two women's personal growth. Susan Mallery always makes me happy when I read her books.

I am a relatively new fan of Susan Mallory’s books. I thoroughly enjoyed The Summer of Sunshine and Margot. They are fraternal twins with a special bond. Each have a past that they are not proud of, personal insecurities and the desire to make better choices next time.
Margot had a fascinating job as an etiquette coach. Her newest client is an actress that behaves inappropriately at times. I found their conversations and Margot’s thoughts on how to help her were thrilling. It was a mystery in of itself. The client’s son, Alec is also interesting but in a totally different way. Susan created scenes where you could feel the enthusiasm between them on shared interest.
Sunshine was a nanny and Conner her charge was adorable. I thought of him today when I saw ants in my yard. The chemistry between Sunshine and Declan (Conner’s dad) was off the charts as hard as they tried to avoid it. It was also encouraging to see Sunshine conquer math. Susan did an excellent job of allowing women to see the other side of the coin in Sunshine’s struggles.
I read the book in less than 24 hours. I enjoyed following the sisters and their quest for a better life and better life choices.

Sexual content – 4 there were only a few scenes, most were not descriptive, one was over the phone which may be uncomfortable for some. I thought the storyline was good so you could skip over those parts if you wanted.
Drinking – lots of drinking of wine at dinner. Once Declan gets tipsy.
Language - dont recall bad language

I received this book from publisher/author and was not required to write a positive review.
You can see my full review at More Than a Review dot com where I rate the level of sex, violence, language and drug/alcohol use in books.

Sweet, funny, poignant and heartwarming. I feel like these four words describe many of Susan Mallery’s books and that is why I enjoy them so much. I really liked this story and these sisters, Margot and Sunshine, very much. They are both so different yet they are now both on similar journeys to hopefully change their lives for the better. They both want to be better people. Good supporting characters add to this wonderful story especially 8 year old Connor, who is Sunshine’s adorable little charge. I really enjoyed it!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.

Susan Mallery is so good at crafting complex characters with real-life issues, regrets and fears. I was hooked on this story from the beginning! The little boy is particularly delightful. I like books that have an irresistible little kid as a secondary character. Susan Mallery always portrays sisterhood in such a positive and authentic light. It's one of the main reasons why I enjoy her books so much. In this novel, I liked how Margot and Sunshine supported and encouraged one another. There are plenty of laugh out loud moments as well as some deeper, poignant scenes as the characters confront their issues and wrestle with staying the same or going after what they truly want. This is the perfect summertime read!

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC. All opinions stated here are my own.

I loved the sibling relationships in this, their connection and care of each other was endearing and made me really care about them both. It was definitely a feel good book and while not everything was carried off perfectly it was still a good read.

Margot and Sunshine are twins. Both about to start new roles and both unlucky in love - thanks to the curse of the Baxter women.

Told from the points of view of Margot and Sunshine, and also Alec and Declan, the men that the twins start to fall for.

An entertaining read that keeps you interested throughout.

Looking forward to reading more by this author.

This book has more than two sisters finding themselves and finding love or finding meaning in life . Its' about two women who figure out that they are good enough that they are right in the world and that they are right for the people that they choose and the people who choose to love them.

This story revolves around four protagonists who have little confidence in themselves when it comes to interpersonal relationships.

Margot and Sunshine are fraternal twins. Margot (and it seems a missed opportunity for her name not to have been spelt as “Margaux.”) has a job helping people gain the skills to be comfortable in new settings, particularly in foreign countries. She’s more than a glorified etiquette teacher - she also teaches foreign customs and how to just get along without having to adopt an artificial persona. Alec hires her to help his mother, a famous movie star with a scandalous background. Bianca is marrying a foreign ambassador who adores her, but she is nervous about facing the criticisms of the sophisticates in the world her fiance inhabits. And to top off the rather unbelievable set-up, Alec lives in a converted monastery in Pasadena. He has some sort of nebulous profession of doing something with ancient documents - it’s not clear what. But the whole idea is that, in a reaction to his flamboyant mother, he’s retreated into the cloistered world of this former monastery and dusty documents.

Of course, he and Margot are instantly attracted to each other, but the questions remain if Alec can get over his own hang-ups to get out of his own way of this wonderful romance that has come into his life.

Margot’s twin sister, Sunshine, is very different. She is extremely sexy and curvy, but she’s tired of everyone judging her on her appearance. She’s lived a rather irresponsible life as a nanny who picks up and leaves her charges whenever she meets a new guy who seems to be “the one” for her. She has now made up her mind to stick to being a nanny while going to college to get a degree in early child education. She’s the sweetest woman who has a real knack for loving children, especially her new charge, Connor, an adorable 8-year old boy whose mother has suddenly die and whose father is, of course, extremely attractive. But Sunshine doesn’t want to fall into the usual self-destructive patterns that she has before. And her boss, Declan, is a really good guy and good father who, despite his attraction to Sunshine, doesn’t want to risk losing this kind woman whom his son already loves so much.

I loved Connor and the interactions of Sunshine and Declan with him as they encourage his fascination with his ant farm. I liked that storyline better than the Margot-Alec one. Mostly I found bianca irritating. Alec wavers from being tremendously able to cope in social situations to being terrified of such moments. I thought the whole set-up was unbelievable and kept waiting to get back to Sunshine’s more interesting story as she struggled with her return to school and algebra and the sexist stereotypes that people projected onto her.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book and after reading California Girls, I wanted more and this author delivered. I probably could have read this in one sitting had I not required sleep,,,,,,,,,,I just could not put this down.

Margot and Sunshine are sisters who have depended on eaxh other since their mother abandoned them at a young age. Margot is poised and professional and lives a very controlled lifestyle. Sunshine is the opposite.

Margot's business involves helping her clients improve their lives. The story begins with her meeting a high profile client who is engaged to a diplomat. Her client, Bianca, has self-control issues and worries that her new role has a diplomat's wife could hurt the man that she loves. Margot meets Bianca at her son, Alex's home where she is currently staying. Bianca convinces Margot to stay at his large home if she is going to be effective with her work. Margot believes she has bit off more than she can chew as Bianca proves to be her biggest challenge, not to mention Alex is a bit eccentric with his own control issues. But she is also noticing that the more she is around Bianca and Alex, the more she is surrenduring her control which is allowing her to see and feel a different side of her, one that she is starting to enjoy.

Sunshine has sworn off men as she knows they are her weakness that makes her make poor decisions. She is hired on as a nanny for a widower's son, Connor. Due to the recent death of his mother, she believes this role allow her to keep her vow. Connor's son, Declan, is very busy and while appreciative of Sunshine's role with Connor, he will not cross a line with Sunshine. Sunshine decides to return to school to work on a degree as she believes it is her pathway to "normal" and this is what she truly wants. Her bond with Connor grows and she is realizing that she has feelings for Declan but refuses to act on them as she knows this will push her back to her old life and she has vowed to correct that.

While the two sisters are dealing with the events in their lives, they find time to stay connected and discuss their recent changes. I really love how the author unveils the many layers of flaws and emotions due to abandonment with Margot and Sunshine. There is pain and the two where a thick armor to protect themselves, but not with each other. The two hold each other accountable and the support and love that they have binds them together.

Does Margot and Sunshine find forever love? you will have to read, and i assure you, the story is worth it. Loved it.......felt it......and look forward to more!!!

I had not heard of Susan Mallery until I was lucky enough to receive a copy of this ARC, but now I'm going to have to read all her previous books! I loved this one so much. The storyline with the fraternal twins Sunshine and Margot really warmed my heart. I loved their relationship with each other and I loved the process they went through to find love. It was romantic without too much of the steamy parts that you normally find in a lot of romance novels.

Thank you to Netgalley and Harlequin-MIRA for a copy of this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I’m a big fan of Susan Mallory’s books and have read a lot of them. For me this story of two sisters and their journey didn’t really hit the nail on the head. While the characters were relatable in some ways, some of the subplots were weaker and the ending felt a bit rushed to me. While this may not be a story for me it may be someone else’s next great read. I look forward to see what she comes out with next.