Today, HJ is pleased to share with you Susan Mallery’s new release: The Summer Book Club
The rules of summer book club are simple:
No sad books
No pressure
Yessssss, wine!
Besties Laurel and Paris are excited to welcome Cassie to the group. This year, the book club is all about fill-your-heart reads, an escape from the chaos of the everyday—running a business, raising a family, juggling a hundred to-dos. Even the dog is demanding (but the bestest boy).
Since Laurel’s divorce, she feels like the Worst Mom Ever. Her skepticism of men may have scarred her vulnerable daughters. Cassie has an unfortunate habit of falling for ridiculous man-boys who dump her once she fixes them. Paris knows good men exist. She’s still reeling after chasing off the only one brave enough—and foolish enough—to marry her.
Inspired by the heroines who risk everything for fulfillment, Laurel, Paris and Cassie begin to take chances—big chances—in life, in love. Facing an unwritten chapter can be terrifying. But it can be exhilarating, too, if only they can find the courage to change.
Enjoy an exclusive excerpt from The Summer Book Club
“How is it I’m thirty-seven years old and I still get a knot in my stomach when I get a note from the teacher, asking me to stop by?” Laurel Richards held out her cell phone. “Or in this case, a text.”
Paris grinned. “We never outgrow our fear of authority. We should, but we don’t. Which teacher?”
“Jagger’s homeroom teacher. I don’t get it. Neither of the girls is a troublemaker and it’s only three weeks until school’s out.”
She tried to ignore the unsettled feeling in her stomach. As far as she knew, her twelve-year-old was happy, had plenty of friends and was doing great in school. She was wrapping up seventh grade, had mostly As and Bs and, perhaps until today, had never been in trouble at school.
“Do you think it’s really bad?” she asked.
Paris, a pretty brunette with hazel eyes and an easy smile, rolled her eyes. “I love you, but if I had psychic powers I would use them to win the lottery. Jagger’s a sweetie. Maybe the teacher wants to give her an award. Don’t assume the worst.”
Laurel pressed a hand to her belly, wishing the yucky feeling would go away. “You’re right.” She quickly texted confirming she would be at the school at 2:20. “Maybe it isn’t bad at all. Maybe it’s great. Maybe they’ve decided Jagger is gifted and should start college in the fall. Not that I’ve saved enough to pay for it. I was supposed to have five more years. Oh, wait. If she’s that smart, she’ll get a scholarship. Problem solved!”
Paris’s humor returned. “I’m pretty sure it’s not going to be about her skipping the next five years of school.”
They both laughed before returning their attention to the crate of strawberries Paris had set on her battered desk. Each berry was a beautiful deep red and large, with that perfect shape. Next to the crate was an open box with scraps of fabric, glue, toothpicks, doll clothes and random pieces of doll furniture.
“I have the stage from when I did Romeo and Juliet with zucchini last summer,” Paris said, digging through the box. “I think I saved the costumes.”
“Zucchini costumes aren’t going to fit strawberries.” Laurel paused. “Weirdest thing I’ve ever said.”
“Last time we brainstormed about my fruit of the month, we decided on dancing asparagus. That was pretty weird.”
“But effective.”
The Los Lobos Farm Stand, a fruit and vegetable stand by the highway in Los Lobos, had been in Paris’s family for three generations and was popular with both locals and tourists. Laurel was helping her friend expand her presence on social media. Part of that was a featured fruit—or vegetable—of the month. Sometimes the item chosen was simply photographed but other times Paris went all out with props, costumes and staging. The first strawberries of the season seemed event worthy.
“So we’re agreed,” Paris said, motioning to the crate. “A strawberry concert.”
Laurel nodded as she opened her backpack. She pulled out a sheet of paper printed with six tiny stand microphones. They would cut those out and glue them onto toothpicks. The stage Paris already had would be the backdrop. They would dress the strawberries, set them in front of the microphones and take pictures for all the fruit stand’s accounts. Once that was done, the stage would be placed on a shelf by the fresh flowers. Customers liked seeing it in person and getting their pictures taken beside it.
Two hours later six strawberries had been dressed in bits of lace or covered in glitter. Three sported pipe cleaner headpieces. The little microphones were in place and they’d used miniature cactus and wisps of decorative grasses to fill in the back of the stage.
“‘Strawberry Fields Forever,’” Paris said with a laugh.
Excerpt. ©Susan Mallery. Posted by arrangement with the publisher. All rights reserved.
Giveaway: We’re happy to offer one copy of Susan Mallery’s THE HAPPINESS PLAN and will ship to US only.
To enter Giveaway: Please complete the Rafflecopter form and post a comment to this Q: What did you think of the excerpt spotlighted here? Leave a comment with your thoughts on the book…
Meet the Author:
SUSAN MALLERY is the #1 bestselling author of novels about the relationships that define women’s lives—family, friendship, romance. Library Journal says, “Mallery is the master of blending emotionally believable characters in realistic situations,” and readers seem to agree—40 million copies of her books have sold worldwide. Her warm, humorous stories make the world a happier place to live.
Diana Hardt
I liked the excerpt. It sounds like a really interesting book.
erahime
It shows a nice display of friendship and life. Thanks for the excerpt, HJ!
Kathy
Looks good!
Janine
Sounds like a really good book.
Lori R
Sounds like another book by Susan Mallery that I would enjoy reading!
hartfiction
Great! The cover and title pull me in quickly!
Dianne Casey
Love Susan Mallery’s books. Loved the excerpt, looking forward to reading the book.
Brenda Rumsey
Susan has a special way of making the characters come alive, like they are your next door neighbor. It makes you care and laugh, cry, and dream right along with the people your reading about.
Nancy Jones
Enjoyed the excerpt.
Laurie Gommermann
I like books revolving around longstanding friendships. Curious to know what Jagger’s problem is at school. Laurel has a lot of support from Paris and Cassie. I’d love to read the book!
Glenda M
Very interesting! Thanks!
Rita Wray
Sounds like a book I will enjoy reading.
Daniel M
looks like a fun one
Diane Sallans
I always enjoy Susan Mallery’s stories – and who doesn’t relate to a book club!
Charlotte Litton
Sounds great
Amy R
Sounds good
dholcomb1
I need strawberries now.
Mary C
Good friends
Tammy H
Loved it!
holdenj
Makes me want ro read more@
Bonnie
What a wonderful book! Great excerpt. I’d love to read more.
Texas Book Lover
Sounds wonderful!
bn100
different
psu1493
I enjoyed the excerpt. Sounds like a good story.
Patricia Barraclough
It gives a peek at who these three women are and what they are dealing with. The vegetable/fruit stage promo for the stand is such a cute idea. Even as short as it is, you can feel the worry in the mom about being called to her daughter’s school. Most of us can relate.
Ellen C.
Nice excerpt, I’m looking forward to reading more.
rkcjmomma
This sounds like a great book with humor and great friendships loved this excerpt!