Title: The Friends We Keep- Author: Susan Mallery
- Genre: Women’s Fiction
- Pages: 400
- Published: February 2016 – Mira
- Source: Publisher/NetGalley
Description: After five years as a stay-at-home mom, Gabby Schaefer can’t wait to return to work. Oh, to use the bathroom in peace! No twins clamoring at the door, no husband barging in, no stepdaughter throwing a tantrum. But when her plans are derailed by some shocking news and her husband’s crushing expectations, Gabby must fight for the right to have a life of her own.
Getting pregnant is easy for Hayley Batchelor. Staying pregnant is the hard part. Her husband is worried about the expensive fertility treatments and frantic about the threat to her health. But to Hayley, a woman who was born to be a mom should risk everything to fulfill her destiny—no matter how high the cost.
Nicole Lord is still shell-shocked by a divorce that wasn’t as painful as it should’ve been. Other than the son they share, her ex-husband left barely a ripple in her life. A great new guy tempts her to believe maybe the second time’s the charm…but how can she trust herself to recognize true love? (publisher)
My take: So we have Gaby who looks forward to going back to work when her twins start school, Hayley who wants nothing more than to have a baby no matter what the cost, and Nicole who doesn’t want to trust her heart to anyone.
I think my favorite character was Hayley because of her emotional dilemma. I really felt sympathy for her. That said, she really needed some therapy to work through her issues. I imagine a book group would have a lot to discuss about her and the other two main characters – especially groups whose members are raising young families. I’m past that stage so when I got a little frustrated with the characters I chalked it up to where I am in life.
Recommended to fans of the author and women’s fiction.
Bookfan 
That’s a cheerful cover. I like it. I suspect my reaction would be the same as yours. Young children are far in my past. LOL
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It was a good read!
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I think frustrating characters equal well written characters so I’d give this a try.
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I agree, Kathy. That’s why I rarely stop reading books with frustrating characters 🙂
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This book is waiting at the bookstore for me to pick up.. Can’t wait to start reading it.
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I think you’ll enjoy it, Kathleen!
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I’d like to read this book, it sounds really good. Don’t you just love the cover?
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Yes, I agree, it’s an inviting cover.
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I’ve been seeing this novel a lot lately. Thanks for sharing your thoughts about it.
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Thanks for visiting, Pat!
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I keep planning to read this author, and I like the sound of this one. Although their issues are behind me…but I like that part. The perspective of having lived through these things…and survived! Thanks for sharing.
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I hope you can give this one a try, Laurel.
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I enjoyed this one, and yes Hayley seemed really mixed up and I wanted to tell her that! But she worked through it!!
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Yes, I was relieved she was able to work through it!
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I have read other books by this author and really enjoyed them. This sounds like a good one to read, too!
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It was. I enjoy her women’s fiction as well as her romance series.
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I really like Susan Mallery’s writing but I got a little tired with the Fool’s Gold series. This sounds good and definitely like something that would be good for a book group. I’m looking forward to reading this as I think I can identify with all 3 of the women.
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I just got the newest Fool’s Gold book, lol. I’m hoping for the best 🙂 I hope you enjoy this book!
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A cute cover 🙂
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Yes 🙂
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I like the sound of this one.
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It was good!
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[…] Review: The Friends We Keep by Susan Mallery […]
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Gage goes to kindergarten next year and I won’t lie, I’ve been looking forward to a new chapter for me. This might work for me better 🙂
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