Last night I finished The Summer of Sunshine and Margot by @susanmallery. What a cute book. 💖💖💖

This was the story of two twin sisters - Sunshine and Margot. Each of them are trying to redefine and rediscover themselves. And each take on new jobs. Margot is an etiquette coach for Bianca and living in her son’s home while she coaches her. Sunshine is a live in nanny. Not only do they discover new things about themselves, but they find romance in the process. I loved that this book had two settings, two full formed characters, and two romances. I was equally interested in both of them, which is always fantastic when that happens. A cute story and a perfect summer romance!! This one does contain a little steam (a few open door scenes) and is a slow building romance!

I hate to say this is a good summer vacation read, since the title has the word “summer” in it, but the fact is that it’s a good story for just such a time. Enjoyable and interesting, but not so riveting or complicated that one couldn’t set it aside for a quick swim in the ocean or out to a restaurant. It’s a pleasing story about two sisters and their summer of romance.

This was a cute summer read. I enjoyed both Margot & Sunshine’s storylines. I felt myself rooting for both of them. Fun read!

Sunshine and Margot are twins with a history of making really bad choices when it comes to men. Sunshine gets distracted from good jobs and people she loves the second a bad boy looks her way, and they only ever want her body and not the true love she's so hoping to find. Margot has continually let the same man lure her away from her own dreams over the years, always hoping he'd eventually put her first but finding herself ever left behind when he moves on to something new. Both women are absolutely, 100% determined to change their ways, focus on their own goals, and make something happen for themselves instead of waiting for a man to make their lives worth living. Sunshine enrolls in college and begins nannying for a single dad who, while handsome and kind, she definitely can't fall for.....right? And Margot starts teaching etiquette lessons to an older actress whose grown son is intelligent and refined and certainly off-limits...isn't he? Over the course of the summer, both of these ladies have to come to terms with what they want, what they need, and whether they're willing to compromise either of those things to get the lives and loves they've always dreamed of.

I've been a fan of Susan Mallery's for years (especially her Fool's Gold series), but I hadn't read her in a while and I was hopeful that I would still enjoy her writing. Happily, this book was a fun reminder of why I like her so much. Her characters are genuine, flawed but self-aware, and she writes swoony connections between men and women, as well as complicated and deep relationships between friends and family, with equal grace and aplomb. I liked reading about Sunshine's relationship with Declan (and his adorable son, Cooper) just as much as I did about Sunshine and Margot's unwavering support for each other. Margot and Alec seem perfect together, but I almost enjoyed his difficult relationship with his mother, Bianca, even more. The characters are all so well-written and likable, that you can't help but want the best for them all.

Mallery covers an array challenging topics here, including grief and loss, anxiety over going back to school as an adult (Sunshine), single parenting, and the difference between the front you present to the world and how you really feel inside. It's easy to get lost in her stories because they feel very much like the real world (with the possible exception of the fact that you know ahead of time that everyone will get a happy ending...but you know what, that's one of the reasons I read romance novels: the HEAs are guaranteed!).

I'm glad I've rediscovered this author, and I'll definitely be checking out what she does next!

**Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin-MIRA for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!**

Loved this sweet sister story that I couldn't seem to put down until the end! This author never fails to keep me interested.

I was really excited about this one but found myself somewhat disappointed. From very early on it seemed the center focus of the book was sexual tension. Almost all of the conversations and thoughts seemed to end up revolving around it. I personally prefer for books to have a little more literary substance so this one just wasn’t my taste. I did enjoy the premise of the characters and the direction of the story. I wish the focus could’ve remained on the developing relationships outside of the sex component. Overall, the story has good bones and the writing was very good.

Thank you to Harlequin - MIRA for my ARC via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Baxter sisters had me totally entertain throughout this whole book, as we got to know them both along their journey of life. This is the first time read by Susan Mallery for me and I hope to have the time to explore her other books very soon. I enjoyed her writing style, characters and the flow of the story. Margot and Sunshine Baxter were fraternal twins, both twins have a poor history with the man they are attracted to/their behaviour concerning the man in their lives.

Sunshine is a Nanny to a young eight-year-old boy Connor, who has lost his mother to cancer. Summer is about to go back to school to find a new path for herself, she lives-on with Conner and his father Declan. Sunshine soon finds herself in love with Connor and also loving her job to make this little boy happy again.
Margot has just taken a new position as a live-in personal adviser for an older woman Bianca who is currently living with her son Alec. Bianca is about to marry a diplomate, so her very free spirit life needs some direction to be the best wife she can be. Will Bianca be an easy client or will she test Margot at every turn?

As both women start their news jobs as a new start of their promise to put themselves first with romance and man off the path at the present time. But this new journey will bring two new man into their world and their day to day life that may just have the two sisters rethinking their plan.

This book has it all from laughter, sweetness, drama, hope, dreams, family dynamics, broken pasts, broken hearts but most of all it has the chance of love and romance.

The Summer of Sunshine and Margot was another delightful read by Susan Mallery. I loved the unbreakable bond the two sisters have and how both were searching for their Mr. Right. Susan Mallery has a knack for creating intriguing and lovable characters, and she doesn't disappoint with her creativity in creating Sunshine, Margot and their dream men.

Cute story. This was a fun summer read. I liked all the characters and was definitely cheering for the sisters to find love. This was a quick, easy read.

Sunshine and Margot are fraternal twins who feel they have a family curse, those they love and should love them leave them. It has caused them both to look for love and happiness in the wrong men. This summer they have decided to start over and focus on bettering themselves and not for short term pleasure. Sunshine is a nany for dad and son who recently lost his wife to cancer. Margot is working for an actress who needs a life coach of sorts and lives with her single son. Just because the twins went into the summer with plans doesn't mean the where able to stick to them. Sunshine finds happiness with her new family, and Margot happiness in right in front of her nose. If you need a feel good story with interesting characters and hidden drama this one is for you.

Whether it be due to work stresses or the warmer summer weather, I find myself drawn more to lighter reads this time of year. I gravitate to books that help me relax, tell a good story, introduce me to likable characters and despite any drama, generally end on a happy note. Susan Mallery is a great author for this kind of book, and I have reviewed a few of her novels over the years including the recent, California Girls.

The Summer of Sunshine and Margot is like California Girls in that is about sisters, although there are two in this story. Margot is a somewhat buttoned up etiquette coach who has made the mistake of loving and altering her life for one man, who just can’t seem to grow up. She is determined not to let him back in her life and is busy working with a new client, Bianca, an actress who has a reputation for unconventional behavior but is now set on marrying her true love, an ambassador who needs to keep his dignity to keep his job. The job requires her to move in with Bianca who is currently staying with her reclusive researcher son in a renovated monastery. Margot likes and is attracted to Alec and is worried about failing both him and Bianca. Sunshine is Margot’s fraternal twin and rather than putting all her eggs in one relationship basket, she has made a series of bad very choices in men, and though she loves children and being a nanny, she constantly leaves her positions to follow those bad choices. Sunshine is trying to change her life and working for a successful and widowed landscaper, caring for his young son Conner and has big plans to go back to school, get her degree and lead a better, more responsible life. Both she and Declan are tempted by each other, but don’t want to admit it and hurt Conner or each other.

Although the sisters are very different in appearance, personality, and in how they approach life, both were deeply affected by their childhood and being raised by their great-grandmother as their grandmother left their mother and their mother left them. They are easy characters to like and to cheer on, as are the supporting characters, especially Conner, Sunshine’s young charge. Mallery writes with humor and heart and captures the bond between sisters well. There are no twists or surprises, but it is a satisfying story that is easy to curl up with and enjoy on the lanai or at the beach. The Summer of Sunshine and Margot is a good choice for your summer reading stack if you like women’s fiction, stories about sisters and family relationships, sometimes snarky humor, romance, and stories about personal growth and second chances.

Once again, Susan Mallery has another hit novel. I truly enjoyed then Monastery sett. This book is very well written and a perfect beach read.

Susan Mallery is one of those authors whose books never fail to disappoint. The Summer of Sunshine and Margot, which had me hooked from the very title, is no exception.

As an only child, I think I’m drawn to stories about sisters – I’ve always wanted one, and yet, selfishly, I’m also glad not to have one. Reading about Margot – serious, steadfast, respectable – and Sunshine – fun-loving, a bit more wild, definitely less conscientious – made me wistful for a sister again. Oh, I have girlfriends, but it’s not the same.

What I loved about this novel is that the sisters were very different, but still shared common traits (not the least a tendency to make poor romantic choices), and that they were always unfailingly supportive of each other. True, they could be brutally honest, but such honesty always came from a place of love, never from jealousy or meanness.

As well, I enjoyed our glimpses into their love lives. While it’s true that no woman need be defined by her romantic partner, it’s fun to see love blossom, and even more so to experience it vicariously through such well-drawn characters. Mallery excels at capturing emotion on the page. Her characters never feel flat or fake, and that’s just one of the reasons I keep coming back to her work.

The Summer of Sunshine and Margot is the perfect summer read. Bring it to the beach or pool, or keep it inside where the air conditioning is keeping the heat and humidity at bay. But do read it; you won’t be disappointed.

Goes well with tuna sandwiches, tomatoes and avocados in vinaigrette, and chilled lemon water, eaten al fresco.

Susan Mallery never disappoints! I have read many of her books and I always enjoy them. This one was no exception. Story of two sisters, their relationship, their trouble with love, new relationships. I loved Sunshine's story as Declan's son made the story for me! Such a little ant lover! A great weekend read.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my open and honest review.

I love this book, setting (in a Monastery) kept me so interested! I enjoyed the way the relationships developed with the girls and the other main characters in the book, My favorite Susan Mallery book yet!

This is another great summer read by Susan Mallery. I enjoyed reading this great book.
The sisters in this book have a close relationship and friendship that are very enjoyable to read and learn about.
We are also looking into each of their own and very different everyday lifestyles and way of working.
A great and very enjoyable read.

Heat Factor: The two stories are vastly different--one is a slow build, one crashes and burns/rebuilds.
Character Chemistry: I have a theory that readers will love one more than the other, and that it’s entirely about the reader
Plot: Two sisters rebuild their lives through their very different careers, meeting regularly to cheer one another on. Unsurprisingly, as they work to be their best selves they find their best matches.
Overall: It’s a really sweet duo of love stories--easy to read and enjoyable.

This one was an easy and delightful read.

Margot is a poised and polished etiquette expert who consults for high-ranking businesspeople, celebrities, and dignitaries. She also has a stop-and-start/hot and cold history with a real jerk of an ex-boyfriend she can’t seem to resist throwing her life away for. Her newest client is an ex-starlet who, after a lifetime of scintillating tabloid stories and mesmerizing the general public has fallen for a foreign diplomat and wants to shift from engaging the press with scandal to engaging the press with grace. She moves in with the client and her academic son, who is actually a control-freak dreamboat. Fireworks commence.

Sunshine is a recovering flake who used to abandon the families she nannied for after whirlwind romances that left her stuck in sticky situations all over the world. She wants to settle down and find stability, a career, and love--but has a hard time being taken seriously by men who seem to see her as a temporary thrill. She moves in with a widower and his adorable son, and starts taking classes to earn a degree. The widower thinks he needs someone to care for his kid, but
it’s really his own heart that needs care. Fireworks commence.

There were a few downsides to this book that were a little distracting--for starters, we have an etiquette expert who is supposed to be poised to a fault but spills her own messy romantic history at the barest of prodding by Mr. Academic. It was really jarring and out-of-character, and I had a hard time settling back in afterwards. Likewise, Sunshine is supposed to be all heart, but she doesn’t seem to show ANY remorse for abandoning the kids she used to care for until she’s publicly slapped for it. Prior to that, she only seemed to care that it was a side of herself she wanted to escape from. It was also very out of character and I just couldn’t identify with her the same way afterwards.

On the flip side, I certainly didn’t have a hard time reading it--it was well-written and had interesting sub-plots. The secondary characters were minimal but supported the plot well. This would be best read in the sunshine with watermelon and a nice glass of wine. Trust me on this one.

I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. We disclose this in accordance with 16 CFR §255.

This review is also available at The Smut Report.

The Summer of Sunshine and Margot by Susan Mallery was an enjoyable experience. This story is full bodied and well written. It is about fraternal twin sisters Sunshine and Margot who are so different than each other in most ways. But in some ways, they are the same. This refers to their pasts and their failing love life. These two really want happily ever after but it just seems out of their reach. In the end, they both find what they are looking for. I enjoy reading Susan Mallery’s books and this one did not disappoint me. I highly recommend it!

I received an advanced reader’s copy through NetGalley for my honest review.

Thanks to Harlequin-Mira and NetGalley, I had the opportunity to receive an ARC of The Summer of Sunshine and Margot, in return I'll give my honest review.

In The Summer of Sunshine and Margot, we'll meet the twin sisters Margot and Sunshine.

Margot works as etiquette coach. Grandma Baxter was a lady who always valued posture and good behavior. She had been training girls to participate in beauty pageants, and even insisted to Margot participated. It was not something she enjoyed, but she always appreciated her grandmother's rigid teachings. Now, Margot is hired by Bianca, a lady who has had her days of glory in Hollywood. But the memories of her career are all marked by impulsive and scandalous moments.

Bianca is dating an important diplomat. Margot will help her how to interact and behave during the events. However, Alec does not believe that his mother can change the impulsive mood, which has often made him feel ashamed and angry. So Margot ends up moving to his estate, an ancient and mysterious monastery turned into a home. And then she can watch for Bianca and mold her perfectly. Although this also includes Alec, who had always been a very private guy and kinda reluctant with relationships. Until he meets Margot.

Also having news - in this summer - is her twin sister Sunshine. She always wanted to be in beauty contests, but was prevented by her grandmother. Always had a stunning beauty, but her grandmother always ignored her. Sunshine believes that everyone just see curves when look at her and her greatest desire is to change that. First she decides to go to college. She's 30, she knows it will be tricky to deal with younger students. And then she needs to arrange it with the nanny job, that this time, she does not intend to disappoint anyone.

The old Sunshine used to drop the children in the wind as soon as a man appeared offering the world, inviting her to flee wherever they went. She always left, and of course, ended up alone. They did not love her, just the adventure and sex. The last time, Margot helped her and then she got a job as a babysitter to the lovely Connor. The boy, who recently lost his mother, already feels a great affection for Sunshine. They always have several ideas to fill their day-to-day life, even tend an ant farm. And trying to fit in and be more responsible, the last thing Sunshine wants is to fall in love with the wrong guy. But who said it would be easy to resist Declan - Connor's father - who is always willing to listen to her and see her far beyond what she thinks?

The two sisters still give us fun meetings during the narrative. Cheering for each other's happiness, they deliver charismatic dialogues and great sensations, what is like to have a friendly sister, you know? And both are entangled with the feelings that are flourishing over the summer and need to deal with the ways of this change in their lives.

This is the kind of romance that leaves us with dreamy sensations when its over. It must be the fact that narratives with nannies are so loving, eh? Susan Mallery introduces us to two sisters trying to overcome past mistakes, especially the issues about their love relationships. They think they are cursed, because their grandmother and mother have never had good stories about love. The mother, for example, abandoned them. The author maintains the great form in her writing, with the beautiful family union - even with certain disagreements - and fun moments that make her narrative uncomplicated.

It may sounds that Margot is the more centered of the two and has her life more organized. However, there is a problem with a past relationship that always stress her. She's trying to get away from an ex, which she knows is searching a nth chance. Then Alec arises, all smart and with a dose of humor perfect for her. The two spend hours talking about the monastery's history, mysteries and ancient documents. Alec even introduces her to his collection of netsukes - though it comes out a little disasterous. He listens to her and cares about her needs, but he is so afraid to expose himself and end up being like his mother.

Sunshine is the emotional sister. Her moments with Connor are sprinkled with joy and love. Her talks with Declan always end in an outburst, and sometimes, tears. He is very patient, listening with an open heart, giving advices and tips to go well in college classes. However, it becomes increasingly difficult to hide his feelings. His thoughts show every attraction he feels. Let's say, it's the hard game couple of this novel. Sunshine holds many paranoias. She's the kind that forgets to live the present. One moment I was a little irritated, cause she is almost thirty years old and gets torturing herself for something that the two of them - she and Declan - wanted to do, and they did well and happily.

Of the few novels I read from Susan, I noticed that she is an author who likes to exalt female self-esteem. Sometimes its negative side, which is the case with Sunshine. She is a character who believes and much that is only seen by the body. While Margot is so 'in shape' mood but concerns with submission to the ex. And then
becoming clearer as she connects ardently with Alec. The two get on very well despite their very different tastes.

My complain is due to Sunshine being a very whiny character. As mentioned, it has annoyed me a few times. I know and understand - a lot - that she went through several tricks in relationships. But she was there with a job and someone listening and getting on well in college. I wish she'd brightened up this more emotional mood
before her final resolutions and enjoy a happier side of it.

I believe The Summer of Sunshine and Margot is a unique volume, although this leaves me kinda sad, because I finished this novel thinking that it deserves a little more, since I enjoyed the chemistry between the couples and the sisters. My favorite piece was the constrution of Margot and Alec's relationship. I liked to follow their story going deeply, simply because Bianca adds too much at all. She is fun, sincere, inconvenient... I had a good time with her. I wanted to see her as grandma, so I wanted more. Ha!

I have loved this cover since the first time I saw it, I love handwriting fonts, I love that it is fashionable. And it's a scenario where I would like to be. The novel maintains a language with modern references, although the author does not abuse so much. To say that I was surprised, because of Bianca and all Hollywood thing, then
we kinda expect a lot movies and actors references to come out. But not, it's moderate and nice.

cheers from Brazil :*

Susan Mallery's newest book follows twin sisters, Margot and Sunshine, as they navigate the dangerous waters of their love lives. Both sisters have had disastrous pasts when it comes to love but they are trying to move on and make better love choices. Follow the sisters as they start new jobs, both as live-in staff, and be prepared to cheer them on as they learn to love again.