Susan Mallery has a gift for creating worlds that feel like home, and The Friends We Keep is no exception. This book is part of her Mischief Bay series, and true to Mallery’s signature style, it introduces new characters while building on the cozy, familiar backdrop of the seaside town. It’s one of the things I love most about her books—each one stands on its own but also feels like an extension of a world I already know and love.

This story revolves around three women—Gabby, Nicole, and Hayley—each navigating their own challenges in friendship, family, and identity. Gabby struggles to balance being a wife and mother with her desire for personal freedom. Nicole is healing from betrayal and figuring out how to trust again, while Hayley’s deep yearning for a child and her struggles with infertility make her journey especially poignant. Their stories are relatable, heartwarming, and at times heart-wrenching, as they lean on each other through it all.

What I really appreciated here is the depth of the friendships. Mallery excels at portraying the complexities of women’s relationships—the moments of conflict, the fierce loyalty, and the quiet understanding that only close friends can offer. The women feel real, flawed, and multidimensional, making it easy to connect with their individual journeys.

That said, the pacing felt a little uneven at times. Some plot points wrapped up too quickly, while others lingered a bit longer than necessary. And while I was fully invested in Gabby and Nicole’s stories, Hayley’s storyline, though moving, occasionally felt repetitive. Still, Mallery’s ability to weave together these separate arcs into a cohesive and satisfying narrative is impressive.

If you’re a fan of heartfelt women’s fiction and love stories that celebrate the power of friendship, The Friends We Keep is a solid addition to your shelf. It’s not my favorite in the Mischief Bay series, but it’s a touching, engaging read that reminds us of the strength we find in each other.

Holy cow, THE FRIENDS WE KEEP is one crazy story! There are three friends involved here: Gabby, Hayley, and Nicole and the way they interact with eachother was so interesting. I was instantly hooked. Gabby is the mother of two young twins and a stepmother to 15 year old Makayla. Gabby is happily married to her husband Andrew and can’t wait to go back to work when her two little girls start school. Be prepared to be on quite the emotional rollercoaster while reading!

THE FRIENDS WE KEEP 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 friends and all the secondary characters. Hayley is a woman who is determined to be a mother. Unfortunately, she can’t stay pregnant. After her fifth miscarriage, her doctor warns her that trying again would likely kill her. THE FRIENDS WE KEEP 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!

In THE FRIENDS WE KEEP, 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. Nicole is dealing with a very non-present ex-husband who wants nothing to do with their son. Her son is 6 now and obsessed with Brad the Dragon books. She hates the author because she’s heard he’s just in it for the money and she really hates the dragon. Susan Mallery has me longing to find friends just like her characters. There are times of laughter, heartache, anger, sadness, and joy and everything that comes in-between. There is so much heart in Susan’s writing that I was left with a huge smile on my face and my heart happy. Susan Mallery is the queen of writing heartfelt stories about sisters and family drama. If you are looking for a quick, family drama story, you can’t go wrong with THE FRIENDS WE KEEP!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Mira through Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I appreciate Susan Mallery books. I know that I will enjoy a strong story with engaging characters; in short, the perfect escape. This second offering in the Mischief Bay series does stand alone, but as there are characters from the first book, you might prefer to read in order. The friends We Keep is a feel good story of friends and the folly of thinking you will get whatever you want out of life. I enjoyed the story, and will read the rest of the series. It was definitely a light, easy, gentle, fast read.