Publishers Weekly
05/23/2016
Mallery returns to the tiny mountain town of Fool's Gold, Calif., in the 20th and final book in her contemporary Fool's Gold series (after Marry Me at Christmas). Shelby Gilmore followed her ski racer brother, Kipling, to town, and bought into the local bakery. After her abusive upbringing, men terrify her. Town playboy Aidan Mitchell will sleep with any woman who comes through town, but only if she's a tourist. When the two team up as friends without benefits to overcome their fears—Shelby's belief that intimacy means abuse, and Aidan's belief that commitment means pain and extreme self-sacrifice—neither expects the arrangement to turn into a true romance. Even as they try to insist that they're only friends, it's obvious to everyone else—both fictional characters and readers—that they'll end up together. Mallery spins such an appealing town in Fool's Gold that readers will want to move in, or at least return for many visits. Even though the ending is eminently predictable, this expertly characterized tale has heart and soul. (May)
From the Publisher
"This insightful, laughter-laced story fairly crackles with sexual tension and has a lot to say about friendship, love, and relationships. Heartwarming and memorable."-Library Journal
"...a charming story of friendship to love that sets up some very funny scenarios with genuine tugs on the heartstrings. Mallery never disappoints!"-RT Book Reviews TOP PICK! 4.5 stars
"Mallery spins such an appealing town in Fool's Gold that readers will want to move in, or at least return for many visits...this expertly characterized tale has heart and soul."
-Publisher Weekly
"Best Of My Love was a sweet, humorous, and entertaining friends to lovers story...Ms. Mallery's writing style was amusing, clever, touching, and well-paced. "
-Books and Bindings
"Both heart-wrenching and warmhearted... A discerning, affecting look at three women facing surprising change and the powerful and uplifting impact of friends."-Kirkus Reviews on The Girls of Mischief Bay
"Susan Mallery is one of my favorites."-New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber
"The characters will have you crying, laughing, and falling in love... another brilliantly well-written story."-San Francisco Book Review on The Friends We Keep
"An engaging read to be savored all the way through."-Publishers Weekly on The Friends We Keep
"Another satisfying, page-turning winner."-Library Journal on Kiss Me
"Romance superstar Mallery begins a new women's fiction series with a novel that is both heart-wrenching and warmhearted... A discerning, affecting look at three women facing surprising change and the powerful and uplifting impact of friends."-Kirkus Reviews on The Girls of Mischief Bay
Library Journal
★ 04/15/2016
Appalled to realize he's turned into a one-night stand jerk when it comes to women, charismatic Aidan Mitchell is determined to change his ways. When pastry chef Shelby Gilmore, who has relationship issues of her own, suggests that they agree to a six-month platonic friendship so they can hang out together and learn what makes the other gender tick, he says he'll give it a shot. The results are touching and hilarious and surprise them both—although not the rest of the town. A hero who needs to figure out how to appreciate and respect women and a battered heroine who must learn to trust men strike a bargain that ends brilliantly. VERDICT This insightful, laughter-laced story fairly crackles with sexual tension and has a lot to say about friendship, love, and relationships. Heartwarming and memorable. Mallery (Marry Me at Christmas) lives in Seattle. [An April LibraryReads pick.]
JULY 2016 - AudioFile
Tanya Eby gives a pleasant performance of this story of love and friendship in the town of Fool's Gold. Shelby Gilmore, a lovely woman with trust issues, asks handsome Aidan Mitchell, a man-about-town, to participate in an experiment: six months of a platonic relationship to help each other change. Using tonal differences and great acting talent, Eby captures each character's warmth, frustration, goodness, and vulnerability. This is a light listen, perfect for a summer chaise longue or a winter easy chair. A.C.P. © AudioFile 2016, Portland, Maine
