Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin-Mira for an e-ARC of this title in exchange for my honest review. I was worried this book might veer into too much "romance," for me, but I shouldn't have worried. The character development was spot on with this book, and I felt like I knew the characters, even to the point of their relationship dynamics feeling real to me. Three sisters, each with their own problems (some are major!) and flaws. I loved watching each sister change, together and apart. Highly recommended.

I really enjoyed this book about three very different sisters and the dramas in their lives. I think I got thrown off track with Susan Mallery a bit with a couple of so-so Fools Gold books that I wasn't that keen on, but this is definitely Susan Mallery at her best.

The three sisters, Finola, Zennie & Ali, are all very different but have each recently split with their husband/fiancee/partner, although Zennie may have split up with a guy she was seeing but she wasn't that bothered about him anyway (or so she thought!) so she was the least affected by it.

Finola is a TV presenter whose husband has recently left her for a young famous singer and she's really struggling with how she feels and 'what everyone thinks'. She was definitely the hardest sister to like, she came across as a bit selfish and it was all about her. Zennie did her own thing and didn't really care what people thought, until she agreed to be a surrogate for a friend and while some people thought it was great others thought she was mad and really judged her for it, which she hadn't really expected. Ali was my favourite sister. Her fiancee had dumped her weeks before the wedding and left her to de-organise and pay for everything. His brother though jumped in to help and he was lovely, even though Ali had felt he didn't like her when they'd met before.

The whole story is really about relationships, the sisters, their friends and family. The girls mother, and father/step-father actually, were both quite 'interesting' characters. Their mother especially seemed quite a selfish woman, probably why Finola was her favourite as she was quite like her.

Each sister developed over the course of the story and came out stronger and closer to each other by the end of the book because of the drama in their lives. Even though it didn't seem it at the time every cloud (eventually!) has a silver lining. Very enjoyable.

Sisters Ali, Zennie, and Finola are having a rough time in the relationship department - they've all been dumped in the same week. Ali's fiancé sent his brother to break off their engagement; Finola finds out her husband is having an affair with a pop sensation who is a guest on the talk show she hosts; and Zennie just doesn't see the point in dating, a fact her latest date notices before he breaks it off with her.

Each sister copes with the breakup in her own way. Ali tackles the task of unplanning her wedding, luckily she has lots of help in the form of the once-future-brother-in-law who keeps showing up. Finola hides from the press while she tries to figure out what went wrong with her marriage. And Zennie, not really heartbroken but definitely still over the dating scene, skips to the next step and gets pregnant (she agrees to serve as a surrogate to her best friend).

In the typical fashion of Susan Mallery characters, the sisters learn more about themselves than ever before and grow into the women they truly are, all while repairing their relationships with each other.

I love Susan Mallery's books; they are always such quick, light-hearted reads. The Fools Gold series is one of my favorite to visit. California Girls does not disappoint - definitely a must-read, especially if you're looking for a feel-good story.

I really enjoyed this book, it had a great plot and interesting, quirky characters. It's a classic "beach book" and was a great read,

It's the story of three sisters and their various love lives and trials. They are very different people - Finola is a morning TV host who finds her husband is cheating on her, Zennie is a nurse with a lot of friends (one who wants her to be a surrogate mom) but no significant other, and Ali is engaged to be married until she's unceremoniously dumped just before her wedding.

The book tells how they overcome these obstacles and still maintain their relationship to one another in a funny and charming way.

Thanks to HARLEQUIN - MIRA and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Three sisters: the youngest, Ali, who is about to get married, those oldest, Finola, who has the perfect marriage, and the middle, Zennie, who is not really interested in dating. All of them are dealing with personal crises and milestone. Ali's fiancé's brother shows up. The fiancé doesn't especially want to get married but he's not going to tell her himself. Finola's, who is a TV personality, husband shows up half an hour before she's going on air to tell her that he's been having an affair. Zennie has a best friend who can't get pregnant, would she mind being the surrogate?
I generally like Ms. Mallery's non-series books. This had some really big themes that I thought were handled sensitively and well. But there were a couple of things that brought the book down for me. One was the views on Finola's marriage. We were just told that she accepted blame for it going south but we never really saw how she played into it. A big part of her ending was that she realized what part she played but... it felt forced; more tell than show. And I wish we had seen more of Zennie's romance. It was just tacked on at the end.

Three stars
This book comes out February 26
ARC kindly provided by Harlequin-Mira and NetGalley

This is a story based on 3 sisters who have completely different lives. East character is strong as they face a life altering circumstance that changes who they are or thought they may be. I enjoyed this story and would put it on my reread list. I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Net Galley for the advance copy of this book. I loved reading it. The relationship between the sisters was so interesting. They weren't all nicey nice, they were sometimes quite harsh with each other which I believe might be what sisters are more like. They had their jealousy issues, but at the same time when the chips were really down they were there for each other. I have to admit, I did not like the dad. He played a very small part in the book, but I thought he could have been more supportive. I really did not like the mom. I found her flaky and self indulgent. It always seemed to be all about her and when her "past" re-emerged into her life, her daughters became a mere blip on the radar!!! She was a real piece of work. I believe readers will enjoy this book as it covers many different types of relationships and shows that sometimes things work out and sometimes things don't, but it does show that perseverance and determination are great attributes to have during the difficult times in your life. A great read that I highly recommend!!!

2.5 stars

I generally like Susan Mallery books, but this one kind of fell flat for me. None of the characters really seemed likeable, except maybe Ali at times. And their parents were kind of awful.

Susan Mallery's California Girls could be girls (women) anywhere. She reveals the deepest feelings of these women in various trying times. Her depth and understanding always takes me to a better place.

Susan Mallery has officially broke me out of my winter doldrums!!!! California Girls is a fantastic women’s fiction/romance novel that is a complete stand-alone and a complete must-read! Centering around three sisters, Zennie, Finola, and Ali who all find themselves unlucky in love...all at the same time! I loved the premise of the novel and I honestly was hooked right away. Susan Mallery has created such endearing characters that you will want to see find their happily ever after! I enjoyed all of the heartfelt moments, humor and depth that was packed into this 4.5 star read! Susan Mallery never disappoints and California Girls is most definitely a 2019 favorite of mine! As per usual, I cannot wait to get my hands on what Susan comes out with next!

California Girls is a wonderful read filled with lots of heart, some heart ache and watching sisters come together. This was such a beautiful read watching each sister come into her own. Each sister is different in her own way. You have the oldest Finola. She is direct and doesn't hold back her opinion. Married not only to work but to her husband too. Zennie is the middle sister. She does her own thing, beats to her own drum and the tomboy. Single and doesn't feel the need to be in a relationship. Last we have the youngest sister Ali. She is the invisible one and a bit of a wallflower. I love how this flows from sister to sister as they help in their own ways to support or put their opinion in on various things. Ali you so a wonderful transformation in her. With Zennie you experience her selfless nature. Finola finally getting things figured out. In all it is heart warming watching the sisters become so close and finding what they never thought they wanted. This is such an amazing read.

One of the greatest joys of reading is the ability to escape to a different locale. In the midst of a cold Minnesota winter, escaping to California with sisters Finola, Zennie, and Ali was an absolute delight!
☀️ ☀️☀️
Three sisters, all dealing with various dramas in their life. Morning show host Finola is blindsided on national TV when she finds out her husband has been having an affair. Zennie is content with her small life so her breakup is no big deal...until she’s presented with the opportunity to be a surrogate for her best friend. And then there’s poor Ali...her fiancée calls off her wedding a month before but refuses to do it himself and sends his brother to break up with her instead. These sisters deal with life changing events, leaning on each other and finding that maybe these endings are just new beginnings. I loved this story and was completely invested in the characters. This was wonderfully written and a fabulous representation of a sisterly bond. For me, California Girls was ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 stars. Thank you @harlequinbooks for this advance reader in exchange for my honest review.

An excellent mixture of romance novel and chick lit tied up with a neat little bow. This book was graciously provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

California Girls
Great premise for this story-three sisters at varying points in their relationships all get dumped on the same day. Finola, the oldest is married and her husband lets her know he is having an affair right before she goes on air to host a television show. Talk about pulling you in. Then you find out her guest is the woman he is having an affair with! Her sisters and some reviewers of this book feel she is selfish but I felt sorry for her. Imagine learning your husband of many years was having an affair and you had to interview the mistress. I think her actions of pulling in to herself were understandable. She did do some soul searching and without giving too much away, she made some changes.
Ali is the next sister who was just about to get married. However, that was before her fiancé sent his brother to break up with her. Ouch! Although, the brother is pretty great so maybe not so bad. I really enjoyed Ali’s story. It had some really lighthearted moments along with adjusting to a new life.
Zennie is the third sister who had really only dated her guy a few times. I was not as fond of her as a character because I felt she was a little too critical of her sister and a little whiney about how everyone thinks people must be paired up. I will say, she did a great thing for her friends and she too grew over the course of the story.
There is also a treat where the Mother of the three gets her own mini story. Very romantic is all I will say. Loved that part.
If you are looking for an enjoyable read, pick this one up. Also, this would be very good for Book Clubs-lots to discuss.

Story of thee sisters who get dumped on the same day. We have Finola a TV show host, whose husband has an affair with a young pop star, Zennie a nurse who feels she is not cut out for pairing up and wants to be alone but also wants to be a surrogate mother for her friend. Then we have Ali, who is always overlooked gets dumped by her fiance 7 weeks before the wedding.
It was an ok read. I did not feel connected to any of the characters.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the eARC

It’s a story about sisters being dumped and starting over. I really enjoyed their relationships and self discovery. The story was easy to read over a snowy weekend.

Kudos to Susan Mallery!
This book is amazing, it is about three sisters who all have relationship breakups on the same day. The end for them is the beginning of self-discovery and finding out who they truly are.
It is a must read!

I received an ARC copy of this book for honest review from net galley.

This novel is about three sisters Finola, Zennie and Ali who all have different personalities. Finola is the oldest and has made a life and career in Television. She is married to a surgeon and thought they were happy together until he told her he was having an affair with a pop star.

Zennie is the middle child and does not feel she has to be in a relationship to be happy. She is a nurse and is very happy with her job. She is loyal and caring. She is casually seeing Clark who is a zoologist but does not feel that it will lead to anything.

Then there is Ali who is the youngest and engaged to be married to Glen. Ali feels over looked by her parents. She doubts herself. Instead of going after what she wants she keeps to the bakground.

Then all three sisters find there lives changing in an instant. Finola finds out her husband is having an affair. Glen sends his brother to tell Ali that the wedding is off and Clark ends it with Zennie. This starts a new journey for all three sisters.

The revelation and growth from all three is amazing. They realize there mistakes and learn and grow from them.

This was an amazing story and I absolutely loved it. Susan Mallory was brilliant as always.

While the characters were a little tough to like in the beginning (Fionla is super selfish, Zennie has too many walls around her and Ali is a fricken doormat) over time and through the course of the predictable story they grow on you. I would love to see a sequel - if only to not have Ali complain about not having a parent anymore and to see what Mary Jo and Spencer get up to!!

Three sisters, as different as chalk is from cheese, all get dumped by the men in their lives on the same day. One’s husband tells her he’s been having an affair and leaves to be with that much younger woman; one gets dumped during a dinner out, and the youngest gets dumped a few weeks before her wedding – and that’s not the worst part for her: her fiancé doesn’t even tell her in person. He sends his brother to do the dirty work.

Can these three women pick up the pieces of their relationship-disaster lives and move forward?

That’s the question posed in Susan Mallery’s newest book from Harlequin/Mira CALIFORNIA GIRLS.

I have to say I didn’t have one sister that I liked or disliked more than the other. They were all equally appealing and at times not-so-much so for me. Finola is the oldest and married to the cheater. Zennie’s in the middle and not really sure the whole “pairing up thing” in life is for her, and Ali’s the bride that almost was. The one constant in their lives is their pain-in-the-neck mother who’s entire goal in life seems to be made a grandmother.

Written with her usual flare for diving deep into the emotional depth and minds of her characters, Mallery gives us three women at a crossroads who are the poster children for the phrase “I never saw that coming” in their lives. And, also as usual, the way they each grow and come out of that relationship pitfall is written with a great deal of humor, warmth, angst, and discovery.

This was an enjoyable book. Thank you to Netgally and Mira for allowing me a sneak peak in exchange for an honest opinion. CALIFORNIA GIRLS is a keeper!