The Friends We Keep (Paperback) by Susan Mallery

About the Book

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. 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.

Book Synopsis

In this insightful and compelling story from book club favorite Susan Mallery, three close friends test the boundaries of how much a woman can give before she has nothing left

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?

As their bonds of friendship deepen against the beautiful backdrop of Mischief Bay, Gabby, Hayley and Nicole will rely on good food, good wine and especially each other to navigate life's toughest changes.

Review Quotes

An Amazon Best Book of the Month

Once again, Susan Mallery has created an inviting world that envelops her readers' senses and sensibilities... Fans of Jodi Picoult, Debbie Macomber, and Elin Hilderbrand will assuredly fall for The Girls of Mischief Bay. -Bookreporter on The Girls of Mischief Bay

Mallery skillfully depicts three very different women in different stages of their romantic relationships who enter into unbreakable friendships... Will appeal to fans of women's fiction, especially such friendship books as Karen Joy Fowler's The Jane Austen Book Club. -Booklist on The Girls of Mischief Bay

Fresh and engaging...the writing is strong, the dialogue genuine and believable. There's a generational subtext that mirrors reality and the complexities of adult relationships...filled with promise of a new serial that's worth following. -Fort Worth Star-Telegram on The Girls of Mischief Bay

Romance superstar Mallery begins a new women's fiction series with a novel that is both heart-wrenching and warmhearted... A discerning, affecting look at three women facing surprising change and the powerful and uplifting impact of friends. -Kirkus Reviews on The Girls of Mischief Bay

You will become totally invested in each of these characters and their struggles and root for a happy ending. Can't wait for the next installment from Ms. Mallery and The Girls of Mischief Bay! -Fresh Fiction on The Girls of Mischief Bay

Mallery's series debut is an emotional lesson in triumphs and tragedies told in her iconic eloquent style... Her exceptional handling of the climactic hard knocks and joyful events, and her tiny canine co-star, rocked. -RT Book Reviews on The Girls of Mischief Bay