Title: The Summer of Sunshine and Margot
Author: Susan Mallery
Pages: 368
Publication Day: June 11th, 2019
Publisher: Harlequin Books
Format: Hardcover
Synopsis:
As an etiquette coach, Margot teaches her clients to fit in. But she’s never faced a client like Bianca, an aging movie star who gained fame—and notoriety—through a campaign of shock and awe. Schooling Bianca on the fine art of behaving like a proper diplomat’s wife requires intensive lessons, forcing Margot to move into the monastery turned mansion owned by the actress’s intensely private son. Like his incredible home, Alec’s stony exterior hides secret depths Margot would love to explore. But will he trust her enough to let her in?
Sunshine has always been the good-time sister, abandoning jobs to chase after guys who used her, then threw her away. No more. She refuses to be “that girl” again. This time, she’ll finish college, dedicate herself to her job as a nanny, and she 100 percent will not screw up her life again by falling for the wrong guy. Especially not the tempting single dad who also happens to be her boss.
Master storyteller Susan Mallery weaves threads of family drama, humor, romance and a wish-you-were-there setting into one of the most satisfying books of the year!
Booktimistic Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Review:
The Summer of Sunshine and Margot by Susan Mallery is an ideal example of what I love in a light summer contemporary fiction – charming characters, plenty of humor, family drama, just the right amount of romance and most importantly a satisfying and happy ending. The author certainly knows how to tell a story and with easily flowing simple words she manages to keep her readers engaged, leaving them completely content towards the end.
The plot revolves around two fraternal twin sisters Sunshine and Margot who are poles apart in both looks and temperament but share a deep sibling bond. Margot is the practical sister, prim, proper and with a no nonsense attitude, she excels at her job as an etiquette coach. But her most recent client Bianca, baffles her. Bianca is an aging movie star who has had a glamorous and very scandalous youth. Now that she’s marrying a European diplomat she needs Margot to coach her to follow the rules of decorum in order to move among the political elite and be the dignified wife. Teaching Bianca self-control and the proprieties of aristocracy is much more demanding than anything Margot has ever handled before, but what’s even more challenging is trying not to fall for Bianca’s eccentric yet gorgeous son Alec.
Sunshine on the other hand is a dreamer and a romantic to the extent of being gullible. She has abandoned her life and job one too many times chasing after guys only to be dumped mercilessly every time. Now at thirty one, she’s had enough and hence has decided to be in control of her life. She enrolls herself in college to get a degree in child psychology, meanwhile working as a nanny for a sweet eight year old boy, Connor. Now if only she could keep her heart safe from the tempting single dad Declan, her boss aka Connor’s dad!
The plot isn’t elaborate as you can tell, but I believe it doesn’t need to be for stories like this. The focus is on sibling relationship, human connection, overcoming the pain in past and moving on, in giving life a second chance and thereby getting one ourselves. The characters were all relatable and realistic, flawed in their quirks and vulnerabilities and very human, as were the backstories associated with the two sisters and their respective love interests. Bianca, was an exception though, I wouldn’t really say she was relatable per se, but nonetheless a delight to read about. The romance is a sweet one, but it does get steamy towards the end. The conclusion was well done, not rushed, not totally unbelievable even if a bit cheesy, but I was satisfied. Although I would have loved an epilogue with a wedding maybe!
Yes, the story is predictable but it doesn’t make it any less endearing. I am all for intense literary reads, but sometimes, particularly in summer I long for a simple, sweet, predictable yet extremely satisfying story, exactly like this one which is just so good for the soul.
I’ll recommend it if you’re on the lookout for a light breezy heartwarming story that’ll be perfect to flip through on a long hot summer afternoon, especially if combined with a tall glass of iced tea.
Disclaimer: A free finished was provided by Harlequin Books and TLC Book Tours in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
