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3.61 AVERAGE
3.61 AVERAGE
I was bored with this book and I didn't really care for any of the characters. A couple of them had some redeeming qualities, but for the most part they were all a little annoying. I understand they were going through life-changing events and had every right to be whiny and annoying, but the characters took too long to reach a less annoying stage. Maybe I have no patience so this is just a problem with me, which is very likely.
⭐️⭐️ 2.5/5
This book took me longer than I hoped to read. I almost put this down way too many times.
Out of all the characters I only liked 3.
Finola was god awful. I hated her.
The parents were just as bad or worse!
I have never disliked so many characters from one book.
I don’t recommend it.
Very Lifetime/Hallmark movie-esque. Bit of a palate cleanser after finishing a heavy hitter.
Bernie? Annoying af.
Bernie? Annoying af.
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It has been a truly no good, very bad, terrible, horrible day for me. I picked up this book and I forgot all about it. It was cute, it had some great lessons about taking the time to discover who you are as a woman and the importance of a true connection between people.
See the full review at HarlequinJunkie.com
Susan Mallery proved once again how on the mark her writing is with this relatable and funny yet poignant work of women’s fiction. Filled with the complexities of family and personal relationships, California Girls explored issues that will resonate with every reader while it ultimately tugs at your heartstrings.
I’m always surprised when I read a new Susan Mallery book with how she keeps her characters so down to earth while putting them through their paces–and with how she manages to make them inherently likable. Even the characters I don’t want to like. (I’m lookin’ at you, Finola and Mary Jo!) California Girls took me on an emotional journey along with sisters Finola, Zennie and Ali, while they all recovered from a breakup. Read More
Susan Mallery proved once again how on the mark her writing is with this relatable and funny yet poignant work of women’s fiction. Filled with the complexities of family and personal relationships, California Girls explored issues that will resonate with every reader while it ultimately tugs at your heartstrings.
I’m always surprised when I read a new Susan Mallery book with how she keeps her characters so down to earth while putting them through their paces–and with how she manages to make them inherently likable. Even the characters I don’t want to like. (I’m lookin’ at you, Finola and Mary Jo!) California Girls took me on an emotional journey along with sisters Finola, Zennie and Ali, while they all recovered from a breakup. Read More
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Finola has the picture perfect life, until her husband drops the bomb that he is cheating on her. Oh yeah and the person she is about to interview on live TV, the famous singer, is his mistress. Finola's life is turned upside down as she had just decided she was ready to settle down and have a family. Problem is she didn't inform her husband of this fact, also it was probably already to late considering he was having an affair.
Zennie just ended her relationship, it was no big deal to her. She wasn't in love and she's nowhere near ready to settle down. She decides while she is single and unattached she can do her best friend the favor of a lifetime and be her surrogate. The decision is made on a whim, and Zennie immediately has some regrets once she is pregnant. She doesn't want the baby or the husband, she just wants her unattached, junk food eating, working out regulary lifestyle back.
Ali was just dumped 2 weeks before her wedding, not by the groom but by his brother. Although she never thought that she really loved her fiancee, she loved that he loved her. Now with so much to do to cancel the wedding plans, and Glen nowhere to be found, Daniel is helping her overcome her heartbreak. Apparently he has been in love with his brothers fiancee for years...now she loves him to.
The book was decent. The story went fast, but I didn't feel a real connection with any of the characters. While I liked the story, I doubt I'll remember it in 3 months.
Zennie just ended her relationship, it was no big deal to her. She wasn't in love and she's nowhere near ready to settle down. She decides while she is single and unattached she can do her best friend the favor of a lifetime and be her surrogate. The decision is made on a whim, and Zennie immediately has some regrets once she is pregnant. She doesn't want the baby or the husband, she just wants her unattached, junk food eating, working out regulary lifestyle back.
Ali was just dumped 2 weeks before her wedding, not by the groom but by his brother. Although she never thought that she really loved her fiancee, she loved that he loved her. Now with so much to do to cancel the wedding plans, and Glen nowhere to be found, Daniel is helping her overcome her heartbreak. Apparently he has been in love with his brothers fiancee for years...now she loves him to.
The book was decent. The story went fast, but I didn't feel a real connection with any of the characters. While I liked the story, I doubt I'll remember it in 3 months.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Infertility, Infidelity
I received this book for free from TLC Book Tours as part of a review tour.
This was my first time reading a book by Susan Mallery and I enjoyed it.
This book was a classic chick lit novel.
I loved the dynamic between the sisters. That felt very real and organic. The sisters did have their differences but were still able to come together when it mattered.
I also loved how each of their stories were different. Even though they all had the commonality of getting dumped at the same time, they all went down different paths. I thought that was really important to show because everyone is different and deals with things in their own way.
The one thing I didn’t like was how some of the situations that the characters found themselves in weren’t that realistic. For example, the way Finola found out about her husband’s affair (her husband told her right before she went on air, plus the mistress was the pop star she had to interview, who also confronted her about the affair). But this is a chick lit novel so I can look past that. Part of the fun of reading chick lit is the over the top scenarios that happen.
Overall, this was a solid chick lit book perfect for reading while sunbathing in the warm California sun.
This was my first time reading a book by Susan Mallery and I enjoyed it.
This book was a classic chick lit novel.
I loved the dynamic between the sisters. That felt very real and organic. The sisters did have their differences but were still able to come together when it mattered.
I also loved how each of their stories were different. Even though they all had the commonality of getting dumped at the same time, they all went down different paths. I thought that was really important to show because everyone is different and deals with things in their own way.
The one thing I didn’t like was how some of the situations that the characters found themselves in weren’t that realistic. For example, the way Finola found out about her husband’s affair (her husband told her right before she went on air, plus the mistress was the pop star she had to interview, who also confronted her about the affair). But this is a chick lit novel so I can look past that. Part of the fun of reading chick lit is the over the top scenarios that happen.
Overall, this was a solid chick lit book perfect for reading while sunbathing in the warm California sun.
I loved this!! Check out my full review here: https://readbycourt.wordpress.com/2019/11/19/california-girls-by-susan-mallery-review/