Endearing story of cousins in the Northwest who each aspire for something fulfilling, but seem trapped by their own making. Each must learn something to move on.

So ... this is a hard review to write. I usually love Susan Mallerys books - light, hearted, fun reads. This latest one though, whew ... it was hard to finish. I really did not care for this story at all. The characters were so unlikeable - you just wanted to shake them. The only one that seemed to have a backbone was Kristine - I found myself rooting for her. The other women came across as sniveling, weak and entitled - you just wanted them to fail so they would grow up.

You can't win them all and, as a reader, you can't like them all. Won't stop me from reading more by Susan Mallery. Just not anymore in this particular series.

Thank you #netgalley and #HARLEQUIN - MIRA (U.S. and Canada) for the eARC.

Mallory delivers a riveting tale of three cousins, each of whom has made a different choice out of high school. One went to college and founded a successful business, one chose to be a stay at home wife and mother of three, and one chose to be the unwed mother of a child conceived in a one night stand and to become bitter and wallow in her bitterness. We come across them some twenty years later, stumbling through life, doing the best that they can. There is romance and happily ever afters, even a commitment to monogamous unmarried life. It is a book on self-examination, change, and choices. It is moving with vivid emotional scenes that may leave you breathless or teary. A quick and entertaining read.

what a brillinat read, i couldnt put it down and this is my first by this author so i shall be looking for her reads from heronin.
This book is a book that can make you loud out loud in many times throughout. The story is emmersive and very engaging with fantatsic characters and yourt taste buds are spitlling out as you taste all the baked goods in the book. All the three woman have different stories to tell and all are brilliant.
I want to thank netgalley and harlequin for this treat of a book,.

This thought provoking Women’s Fiction book is a gem! Susan Mallery is one of my favorite authors and Sisters By Choice is a prime example why she is placed on highly on favorite list. Sisters By Choice explores the lives of three women, their interaction, and the relationships they have with other people. Being a Women’s Fiction’s book, the plot is not a lightheaded story staying on the surface. The reader is invited into the true life of these women and witness all the issues they deal with.
Sophie had learned early in life that nothing is guaranteed and that hard work, determination and independence will get her to her goals. She is now discovering that there is more to life than success, and that the brick wall to her emotions needs to be torn down to have a fulfilled life.
Heather is super loyal to a fault. Always placing the needs of her mother before herself and dreams of being able to escape, yet cannot find a way to actually leave.
Kristine is the closest thing to a “perfect” wife and mother, yet she wants something for herself and is torn between going for her dream or just going along with the life that seems to be taking control over her.
I was drawn into the story immediately and this book definitely is a page-turner. While was I was not reading, the story remained with me. I kept thinking of what happened and where the story might go.
Susan Mallery is a master of character development. I was so annoyed with a couple characters and my heart went out to most of the others. These characters were not just on paper to me; I knew them and cared about them. That is a sign of a great book!
I want to thank NetGalley and HARLEQUIN - MIRA (U.S. and Canada) for allowing me the great pleasure of reading this book. I have read and enjoyed many other books Susan Mallery and this is another deeply moving story to add to her collection. My review is completely my own opinion, not influenced by receiving the ARC of this book.

This book is part of the Blackberry Summer series. I have really enjoyed this series but this was not my favorite book by her. I just did not like some of the characters in this story and it detracted from the enjoyment of reading the book. I just wanted someone to knock some sense into a few characters. . I love the setting and seeing old characters return and am waiting for the next book by this great author

SISTER'S BY CHOICE by Susan Mallery is another wonderful story by an amazing storyteller! I loved all the characters, but especially Dugen and Bear. I don't understand why anyone would have anything to do with Amber, Heather was amazing. Five 🌟 read for sure!

I have been a fan of Susan Mallery for a long time and usually love everything she writes. I am sorry to say that I didn't like this book at all. I found it depressing to read about such dysfunctional women. It disgusted me that instead of helping Amber by refusing to continue to enable her "helplessness and stealing" the cousins and her daughter all caved into her in the name of family and caring. I could go on and on about all the things that I didn't like but I won't put that much energy into this . What a disappointment. Do yourself a favor and pass this one up

I love Susan Mallery but this time, her characters were just not likable! Sophie was a gigantic pain in the butt and I could NOT stand her! Heather was a doormat. Kristine was the only saving grace but her husband was an idiot. The story was pretty good otherwise.

I was provided with an ARC of this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Another wonderful trip to Blackberry Island! I love reading books by Susan Mallery and this series is a delight to read. If you are looking for good characters and relationships you must read these books! Thank you netgalley for this arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is #4 in the Blackberry Island Series and it was a great read. Even though I hadn't read the others. Sofie Lane had started her Cat Toy Empire in college and was really doing well in L.A. Until one night, it all goes up in flames. She returns to Blackberry, Island to rebuild.
"Lead, follow or get out of the way, she reminded herself. Winners win. I am the champion. It's up to me. I can do this."
For Sofie, she was in total control of her business and it was hard to change. But with her new employees, together they were a great team.
I liked this author and her humor. The characters were great.

Thank you publisher and NetGalley for the eARC

What a fabulous story. A true celebration of following your dreams and of being accepted for who you really are, even when you're quite a jerk.
I loved this quirky book and recognized the characters from my own life. I think you will too.

This is another Susan Mallery hit! The book is #4 in her Blackberry Island series. The characters are realistic: some you love, some you love to hate. The cousins reunite when Sophie relocates her kitty toy business to Blackberry Island. She must learn she can’t be In total control of every aspect of her large business, and must depend on the employees she has hired. If you have not previously read books by Ms Mallery this would be a good one to start with. This book is not to be missed. I received an advanced reader copy of this book from NetGalley and Harlequin-Mira. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Sisters by Choice should be on the must read list of every woman who ever faced the choice of marriage and motherhood vs a career. Using cousins as examples, Susan Mallery illustrates choices, societal perceptions, stereotypes, fears, and triumphs. Sophie, the business owner, can’t relinquish control and is afraid to love. Kristine married her high school sweetheart and has three lovely boys, but she has a dream. Amber has used her unexpected teen-aged pregnancy as her perpetual claim to victim hood, blaming her now 20 year old daughter, Heather, for all the things she missed out on. Heather also has a dream. Fans know the author has a superb command of language, creates well–defined characters, plausible dialogue and stories that will hold a reader’s interest and remain in one’s memory long after the last page is read. Read the description, then read the book. You won’t be disappointed. I voluntarily reviewed an advance copy of this book from NetGalley. Most highly recommend.

Sisters by Choice, Sophie’s ex left her and her mother suddenly died. So she’s afraid to let go and live. She holds on to her business and keeps everything close to her in a grip so tight she doesn’t see she’s killing her self. Amber is a self centered bitch that doesn’t deserve to have Heather as a daughter. Heather will end up just like Amber if she doesn’t run fast and far away. Jaxsen is a prick!! I don’t care how scared a man maybe, he supports his family. That means his wife as well. He doesn’t shut down her hopes and dreams, because he’s to caught up in his own world to take his head out his arse. Overall great book.

Mallery’s fourth installment of the Blackberry Island series. This one focusses on three cousins and their relationships: Sophie, the control freak who moves her successful business back to the island after a fire destroys her Southern California facility; Kristine, married to her high school boyfriend with three lovely boys — but who wants to have a business of her own; and Heather, the 20-year old daughter of a mother who is both perpetual victim and abrasively manipulative.

This is a cozy romance — plenty of attraction but no graphic sex scenes. Instead, plenty of good relationship introspection and discussion, great messages about how to understand what is important in *your* life, and (of course) the happy endings we all crave.