Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Book Review and Giveaway: A Million Little Things

By Melissa Amster

**Synopsis may contain spoilers for the previous Mischief Bay novels.**

From the bestselling author of The Girls of Mischief Bay and The Friends We Keep comes a twisty tale of family dynamics that explores what can go terribly, hysterically wrong when the line between friendship and family blurs…

Zoe Saldivar is more than just single—she’s ALONE. She recently broke up with her longtime boyfriend, she works from home, and her best friend Jen is so obsessed with her baby that she has practically abandoned their friendship. The day Zoe accidentally traps herself in her attic with her hungry-looking cat, she realizes that it’s up to her to stop living in isolation.

Her seemingly empty life takes a sudden turn for the complicated—her first new friend is Jen’s widowed mom, Pam. The only guy to give her butterflies in a very long time is Jen’s brother. And meanwhile, Pam is being very deliberately seduced by Zoe’s own smooth-as-tequila father. Pam’s flustered, Jen’s annoyed, and Zoe is beginning to think “alone” doesn't sound so bad, after all.

Friendship isn’t just one thing—it’s a million little things, and no one writes them with more heart and humor than book club sensation Susan Mallery! (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

I've been enjoying Susan Mallery's Mischief Bay series, so I was glad to receive A Million Little Things to review. I devoured it quickly, as in 200 pages in one day. It flowed nicely and was very hard to put down. Like spending time with some close friends.

It was nice to revisit with Pam and see how things were going with her a couple of years after her story left off. However, there were times in this book that she was very frustrating to deal with. Even when I saw her through her own perspective. There was a lot of gray area to her feelings on a situation that happens in this novel.

Jen also could be frustrating at times, but I felt more connected with her and got annoyed with people judging her parenting decisions. I understood what she was going through in terms of being concerned that her son wasn't talking at 18 months old and also feeling anxious about things that were beyond her control, such as stuff that could happen at her husband's job.

I felt for Zoe a lot, as her life went through the most changes in this novel. She is a new character who is very easy to sympathize with. I was impressed with how she handled being trapped in an attic. I wouldn't have fared so well. I also liked the relationship and dialogue between Zoe and her father, Miguel.

Overall, another great visit to Mischief Bay. I can't wait for the next installment in the series and hope that Shannon will take center stage again.

I cast the main (and a few side) characters in my reviews (linked to the titles) of The Girls of Mischief Bay and The Friends We Keep. I had fun casting this one too!

Zoe: Rosa Salazar
Jen: Kelen Coleman
Lucas: Johnny Messner (He's currently on Jane the Virgin and he totally fits the role)
Miguel: Antonio Banderas 
Steven: Chris Pratt
Pam: Still picturing Julie Warner
Olympia: Rose Abdoo

Thanks to MIRA for the book in exchange for an honest review. They have one copy to give away!

How to win: Use Rafflecopter to enter the giveaway. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. If you have trouble using Rafflecopter on our blog, enter the giveaway here


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Giveaway ends March 6th at midnight EST.

17 comments:

Janine said...

One of the million little things I would like to do it win the lottery. I have a million other things I would love to do with that money.

Melissa said...

I'd love to someday write a book; I have so many ideas and thoughts I'd love to share and to see a book on a shelf written by me, would be the greatest gift.

Linda May said...

I would love to visit Paris some day, while I still can. Thanks for this very generous giveaway

Book Lover in Florida said...

I really want to visit Mykonos, Greece. Looks so serene in pictures!

traveler said...

I would love the opportunity to travel with the entire family to a paradise.

Tatum Rangel said...

I want to travel. :)

diannekc said...

The ones in a million things I would like to do is to travel the world.

Di said...

I'd love to do some traveling - I haven't flown anywhere for 15 years.

Jennifer said...

I would love to visit my sister and meet her new fiancé and stepson. They live across the country, but I would love to take a trip out there with them.

susieqlaw said...

I complicated a couple of friendships, because I got so busy in other areas of life that I didn't keep in contact with my friends as much as usual.

holdenj said...

I would love to visit England.

Mary Preston said...

Boyfriends can complicate things.

Aire para respirar said...

Visit Egypt and Greece

Unknown said...

I would love to take a cross country trip through the USA. There are so many places that I have never seen. I'd love to get in my car and just go!

Susan Roberts said...

I would love to travel more in the United States - I'd like to see the Rocky Mountains and the Pacific Ocean!

bn100 said...

bunjee jump

Chrissy said...

Ughhh that pesky communication still tends to complicate things with friends from time to time unfortunately