Standalone Women's Fiction

The California sunshine’s not quite so bright for three sisters who get dumped in the same week…

Finola, a popular LA morning show host, is famously upbeat until she’s blindsided on live TV by news that her husband is sleeping with a young pop sensation who has set their affair to music. While avoiding the tabloids and pretending she’s just fine, she’s crumbling inside, desperate for him to come to his senses and for life to go back to normal.

Zennie’s breakup is no big loss. Although the world insists she pair up, she’d rather be surfing. So agreeing to be the surrogate for her best friend is a no-brainer—after all, she has an available womb and no other attachments to worry about. Except…when everyone else, including her big sister, thinks she’s making a huge mistake, being pregnant is a lot lonelier—and more complicated—than she imagined.

Never the tallest, thinnest or prettiest sister, Ali is used to being overlooked, but when her fiancé sends his disapproving brother to call off the wedding, it’s a new low. And yet Daniel continues to turn up “for support,” making Ali wonder if maybe—for once—someone sees her in a way no one ever has.

But side by side by side, these sisters will start over and rebuild their lives with all the affection, charm and laugh-out-loud humor that is classic Susan Mallery.

"In Mallery’s heartwarming novel, three California sisters discover their inner strengths as they face trials in their lives. . . their candid interactions are believable and real. Mallery fans and newcomers alike will adore this tale about the bonds of sisterhood and friendship tested by life’s ups and downs."

Publishers Weekly

"Mallery brings her signature humor and style to this moving story of strong women who help each other deal with realistic challenges, a tale as appealing as the fiction of Debbie Macomber and Anne Tyler."

Booklist

Good and diverse characters, rich family drama and current issues… a great read for the beach this summer. There's romance, family drama, sisterly love and more.

Broken Teepee

"California Girls is a beautifully written story about three women that learn to find themselves again after experiencing a personal heartbreak… will pull at your heartstrings."

Moonlight Rendezvous

"Just when the world seems against them, three sisters find an inner strength and a bond they never expected. . . Some of my favorite scenes happened in the family home as the three girls and their mother come together amid thirty years of memories. . . an enjoyable read."

Jacquie Biggar

"Susan Mallery has [talent] in abundance... [and] once again creates very special and wondrous characters."

Sandra Wurman, Fresh Fiction

"[T]he kind of feel-good book that you want to savor."

Sascha Darlington's Review

"Susan Mallery proved once again how on the mark her writing is with this relatable and funny yet poignant work of women’s fiction. Filled with the complexities of family and personal relationships, California Girls explored issues that will resonate with every reader while it ultimately tugs at your heartstrings."

Harlequin Junkie

"Susan Mallery has crafted a brilliant story that will make you laugh, cry, and want to throw things!"

Audio Killed the Bookmark

"Susan Mallery is one of my go-to authors for a feel-good story...I loved the relationship between the sisters and how they supported each other through their breakups...this one is not to miss!"

Palmer's Page Turners

"This story takes you through every emotion a book can do. You feel the sadness and the joy that the characters feel.

Another story that can not be missed by Susan Mallery."

Kimberly, Books N Kisses

"The sweet romance in this book is wonderful, but what I loved more was the female friendship... This wonderful read is perfect to curl up with by the fire or in the sunshine, depending on where you live. Get ready to fall in love with California Girls."

Why Girls Are Weird

"I loved these characters. The dynamics between the sisters felt very real, and relatable. The best part for me was how each of the three girls came into their own as the book progressed... I stayed up very late into the night to finish reading it in one sitting."

Cupp Fam

"What I Liked... The sisters! I love their relationships. The ups and downs. The way they love each other, but also how realistic they were. Their relationships were not all sugar and spice and everything nice...The bonus: The story is GOOD."

Traveling with T

"Mallery does such a good job with family dynamics and intersperses plenty of drama and laughter and of course, romance. I found myself totally engrossed, staying up much too late to finish it. But I had to get to the happy ending and I’m very glad I did. Another terrific read from one of my favorite authors."

Stacy Alesi

"This one just may be my favorite of [Susan Mallery's] women’s fiction books... The women, and Mary Jo, are distinctly different characters with different character arcs and paths, that all end with a “happily ever after,” that each earns her own way and that may not be what you expected at the beginning. I loved this book and highly recommend it!"

Carrie Padgett

"[A] fun, endearing story that warmed my heart and made me wish I had a sister."

Tarheel Reader

"This novel was true to life - the three sisters argued with each other and were honest with each other even if it was brutal but most importantly they loved each other and supported each other in every phase of their lives...a light read that will make you laugh and maybe shed a few tears."

A Girl Who Reads

"The women’s trials aren’t trivialized, but handled with love, grace, and even laughter. Even though the situations can be heart wrenching, the book is NOT depressing. They encounter the expected emotional aftershocks, but also forge ahead into their new lives. And, YES, that includes romance and passion."

Debra Rieger

"The relationships between the sisters is very believeable and the characters are well-written. They have shifting alliances, and we get information about their upbringing that informs their relationships today. They are all at a crossroads in their lives and have to lean on others even though that may not be easy for them...California Girls is a perfect beach read book."

Book Chick Di

"[P]erfect for reading while sunbathing in the warm California sun."

Odd and Bookish

"The author did a great job at creating three very distinct characters. The book follows all three storylines separately - and their lives together - and it is so well done... I recommend California Girls for fans of women's fiction and for anyone looking for a highly enjoyable beach read or weekend book to relax with. This is a really fun read!"

Birdhouse Books

"California Girls is a heartwarming novel of three sisters who are facing personal challenges and heartbreak... I love the flaws and the real life behind each of these women. The story is emotional and the ending is positive."

Running through the Storms

"I felt a kinship with all three sisters... Daniel is now my new book boyfriend. I had a great time reading it and didn't want it to end, even though I did want to know how things would turn out."

Chick Lit Central

"What makes this story is that their happy ever afters are all different, and that they all reach them in different ways. There might be an expectation that everyone ends up coupled at the end, but they don’t. And they shouldn’t... It takes time for [Finola] to figure out that she isn’t the victim in her actual breakup. It takes two to keep a marriage strong – and it takes two to weaken it. Owning her part of her situation makes her own up to her part in what went wrong as well."

Reading Reality

"California Girls is full of feel-good sister moments that center around starting again and taking responsibility for your own happiness... it’s a message many readers need to see. Susan Mallery wrote a quick, light-hearted book that readers with or without sisters will love!"

Book Loaner

4.5 Stars "I really loved how each woman dealt with their losses and grew from their experiences, all while growing closer together as a family... This was a classic Susan Mallery novel, and I didn’t want to put it down since I just had to know what was happening next. Full of friendship, hard work, family ties, and love, California Girls is a great novel from start to finish."

Bewitched Bookworms

"[A] charming story about coming together and starting over… This was my first Susan Mallery book, but it definitely won’t be my last. I adored every page."

Rad Babes Read

"It is amazing what we can change when we know someone brave enough to speak up and hold a mirror in front of us, all in the spirit of love…Susan Mallery creates such a life-affirming journey in California Girls. Don’t miss it!"

Jathan and Heather

"California Girls by Susan Mallery is a poignant novel of self discovery, new beginnings and healing."

Book Reviews and More by Kathy

"If you're looking for a fun, light, heartwarming read, Califorina Girls by Susan Mallery is the perfect fit."

A Splendid Messy Life

"Mallery's novels are easy to enjoy--from the characters she writes to the food she peppers her stories with. If you like women's fiction, stories about sisters and families, romance and friendships, and you'll enjoy this one."

Kahakai Kitchen

"CALIFORNIA GIRLS is a perfect rainy day or beach read…I like the random pokes of humor in the real situations and the important details of how the sisters care for each other, bond, and deal with a mother who wants Grandchildren right now!"

Patricia's Wisdom

"Susan’s writing makes each of the sisters come to life and you feel like you are right there with them in all the bumps and bruises that life hands them… If you are looking for a book that is light-hearted and fun and will capture you from the beginning, then pick up Susan Mallery’s California Girls!"

Lost in a Book after a Day of Social Work

"I felt like I followed all of the women on a journey of self-discovery and healing… It was very real and raw, and I appreciated how Susan Mallery trusted her readers to not give up on the characters and offered realistic endings and not a typical cookie cutter one. This book reminded me stories by Elin Hilderbrand, where there is such depth to each story and female characters are the backbone of the novel. I highly recommend this book for those who enjoy stories with strong female leads."

Smitten by Books

"I loved the balance of each character being able to experience their own journey and came through on the other side on their own time. Each person and their story was equally important no matter what they went through. I couldn’t put this one down."

What Is that Book About

"California Girls by Susan Mallery does one of my absolute favorite things: tells the story of women at a crossroads, having to make huge life decisions… another great story by the fabulous Susan Mallery…one of my go-to authors for vacation reads or something when I’m feeling stressed or just anytime I want something that I know will make me happy."

Into the Hall of Books

5 Stilettos! "California Girls is a wonderful feel good read that will having you cheering in the end."

Romances with a Little Kick

5 Stars! "Family saga at its best… [Mallery] weaves a complex story line depicting each sister's life and the trials and tribulations they are all going through at the same time."

Thoughts of a Blonde

"Susan Mallery does a fantastic job of creating this plot line where right off the bat, we meet three sisters as they’re being dumped. From there we follow each one through the aftermath of being newly single, as they navigate their relationships with each other, as they navigate their relationships with their mother and moving on… I didn’t expect to laugh out loud as much as I did while reading this book."

Falling for Romance

"How is it three sisters, Finola, Zennie and Ali, all get dumped in the same week? Well, that is what happened, and in this engaging story by Susan Mallery, we get to meet each sister. Their breakups, relationship, and future are explored in this wonderful book."

Robin Loves Reading

"California Girls swept me up into the sisterly world of three women, and it didn’t take long to feel like I was connected to each of them."

Serendipity

"I love books about sisters. . . a light read that will make you laugh and maybe shed a few tears"

Girl Who Reads

Chapter One

“They’re frying bacon!”

Finola Corrado tried not to smile at the panic in her assistant’s eyes. “The cooking segment is potato salad five ways. Bacon is the cost of doing business.”

Rochelle’s horror morphed into indignation. “Yes, and right before that is the ‘What’s New in Sundresses’ segment. I’m very familiar with the schedule.” She set down her tablet, put her hands on her narrow hips and leaned forward, as if stressing the importance of her point. Her long, dark braids moved with her. “Finola, we have models in the building. Tall, skinny, hungry models. They’re starting to look feral and turn on each other. I’m convinced it’s the smell of bacon. Can’t they cook it somewhere else?”

And people assumed television was glamorous, Finola thought, still trying not to laugh.

“Move the models to the backup greenroom and tell them we have a humidity problem on set so they need to use extra hair spray. They won’t be able to smell the bacon after that. Tell the food prep person to clean up when the bacon is finished so there won’t be any more odor.”

“Oh, that will work.” Rochelle, a smart, ambitious communications graduate, relaxed. “I should have thought of that myself.”

“You will soon enough.”

Her dark-haired, dark-eyed twenty-five-year-old assistant would soon be capable of running the show, Finola thought as Rochelle left. In a few months, Rochelle would move on, taking a job that would give her more responsibility, and Finola would hire a new assistant, to begin the process again.

Getting your foot in the door in the TV business wasn’t easy. There were plenty of crap jobs, but not all of them gave the right kind of experience. Finola prided herself on hiring the best and the brightest. She was very clear with her demands—she expected a killer work ethic, absolute loyalty and 100 percent of their focus. In return, she would teach them about the business, introduce them to the right people and throw them a big party when they moved on to greener pastures.

Finola’s dressing room door opened again. One of the production assistants stuck her head in and whispered, “She’s here! She’s here. I can’t believe it. I’m so excited. Aren’t you excited?”

Before Finola could answer, the assistant was gone, no doubt to spread the joy to others.

Finola wanted to be cynical, but even she had to admit she was looking forward to meeting Treasure. AM SoCal was a successful show in a crowded media market. Being based in Los Angeles meant more access to celebrities than most shows like theirs, but even they didn’t expect to land a massive country-pop star like Treasure.

At twenty-three, Treasure was a music phenom. Her last single had a million downloads in the first six hours after release and her YouTube videos all had over a billion views. She was appearing on the show this morning for a ten-minute interview followed by a live performance of her new single “That Way.” The hungry models’ fashion show and the potato salad segments would follow.

Except for Treasure being such a big star, today’s rundown was pretty typical. Finola greeted her audience—both live and on television—with a bit of chitchat and a few jokes, then she invited her first guest onto the set. By eleven, the show was over and by noon, everyone on staff would be focused on doing it all again for the next show. Everyone but her, she thought with a smile. She was off next week.

“Hawaii, here we come,” she murmured to herself.

She and her husband needed the time away. They’d both been so busy lately, caught up in their respective careers. The week would give them time to focus on each other and their marriage. And maybe something just a little bit more.

She was ready, finally ready, to get pregnant. Nigel had been eager for them to start their family for a couple of years now. She’d been the one dragging her feet. But turning thirty-four, listening to her mother complain about having three grown daughters and no grandchild, not to mention the realization that there would never be a perfect time, had convinced her they should go for it now. In honor of the decision, she’d packed a present for Nigel to open when they checked into their suite in Maui. She had a feeling the gift of sex toys and baby booties would get the message across very clearly. Nigel was nothing if not a man of action—they were going to have fun.

She heard a knock on her door, followed by a loud, “Thirty minutes.”

Thirty minutes until showtime, she thought, settling into her makeup chair and closing her eyes.

She was already dressed and made-up, she knew her topics, had listened to enough of Treasure’s music to qualify for fan club membership, and she’d skipped carbs at breakfast so she could taste-test potato salad to her heart’s content.

“Good show,” she whispered to herself as she slowed her breathing for her preshow relaxation ritual.

She had fifteen minutes of quiet. Fifteen minutes when no one would knock on her door or burst into her room. She would collect herself and then head to the set where she would be miked and given a final dusting of powder before starting her show.

She inhaled to the count of four, held her breath for a count of eight, then exhaled—

She heard her door open, followed by, “Finola, we have to talk.”

Her eyes popped open. Nigel was standing in front of her. He grabbed her chair by the arms and stared at her intently.

“Nigel, what are you doing here? I go live in less than thirty minutes. What’s going on?”

Nigel, a Beverly Hills plastic surgeon, didn’t see patients on Fridays and they were leaving on their trip in the morning. What was so important that it couldn’t wait until after the show?

He looked at her. “I’m sorry.”

It wasn’t the words that got her attention so much as the tone, and maybe the stricken expression on his face. Her stomach clenched.

“What happened?”

Visions of her sisters or her mother lying prone on the road filled her mind. Or maybe there had been a fire. Or a—

“I don’t know how to say it,” he began, only to stop.

Bile rose in her throat. Her heartbeat jumped a thousandfold and there was a ringing in her ears. Someone was dead—she knew it.

“I’m having an affair.”

As he spoke, Nigel released the chair and paced the length of the room. He was still talking—she could see his lips moving—but for the life of her she couldn’t hear anything. The roaring, rushing sound was too great.

The words repeated over and over in her head until their meaning sunk in. Years ago, she’d fallen off a tall porch onto the grass below. She’d landed on her side and all the air had been forced out of her lungs. This felt like that. She couldn’t inhale, couldn’t stop the surge of panic that swept through her as her body began to tremble. The lack of breath was followed by a sharp gut-wrenching pain in her heart.

How could he? When? With who? Why? They were married. They loved each other. He was her best friend. She was going to get pregnant on their trip to Hawaii.

No, there had to be a mistake. He couldn’t have. Only as she watched him watch her, she knew he wasn’t lying and that he really had, with four simple words, shattered her and their marriage.

“You have to understand,” he said, his voice low. “I’m sorry to have to tell you now. I know the timing is less than optimal.”

“Less than optimal?” she shrieked, then had to consciously lower her voice. “Less than optimal? I’m about to go on live television. It’s not enough to dump this on me, but you had to do it right this second, to screw with me even more?”

“I’ve tried to tell you so many times over the past few weeks, but you’re too busy to listen. There’s always another show.”

She felt a flicker of rage and reached for it with both hands. At least anger would provide temporary strength.

“You’re blaming this on me?” she demanded. “You waltz in here and announce you’re having an affair and it’s my fault you waited until just this second to tell me?”

“It’s not like that.”

“Oh, really?” She brushed away tears. “What’s it like?”

He turned away. “I thought you needed to know.”

Before she could figure out if she was shaking too hard to stand, he walked out. Just like that. She was alone with the nausea, the aches, the broken life and a ticking clock that warned her she had eighteen minutes and twelve seconds until she was live.

None of this is real, she told herself frantically. It couldn’t be. It wasn’t happening and Nigel hadn’t just told her about an affair. He couldn’t have. Not her Nigel. Not the wonderful, warm, loving husband who was always there for her. She knew him, not the cold stranger who had just left.

If only her ears would stop ringing, she thought desperately. If only she could breathe or cry or scream or run. An affair. Another woman had been in his life, his heart and his bed. Their bed. No. No! He’d slept with someone else, had whispered to someone else, had touched someone else, had orgasmed with someone else.

Her mind refused to believe even as her heart began to bleed. Betrayal and sadness and disbelief churned together until she choked. She had to get out of here. She had to go home and—

Her gaze settled on the clock. No, she told herself. She couldn’t leave. She had a live show in fifteen minutes. She had to go on the air and act as if nothing was wrong, as if she were fine and the world hadn’t just fallen off its axis and into a black hole from which it would never escape.

She sucked in air, being careful not to hyperventilate, then hurried to the mirror. After flipping on the harsh, unforgiving lights, she studied herself for a second before reaching for a tissue, then concealer. She looked wide-eyed and shell-shocked. As if she’d just seen something horrific. Or maybe just experienced it. Dear God, she couldn’t do this.

“Finola?” Rochelle knocked once before entering. “They need you on set.”

Finola nodded without speaking. She added a little more powder, then took one more breath before forcing a smile. “I’m ready.”

Her assistant frowned. “What happened?”

“Nothing. I’m fine.”

“It’s something and it’s not fine.”

Finola faked another smile and hurried past her. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

She made her way along the corridor toward the studio. She wove her way around false walls, backdrops and cables. The show’s producer smiled at her.

“Have you met Treasure yet? She’s gorgeous. I only saw her from a distance, but wow.”

Finola didn’t bother to say she had yet to meet the star. She’d been too busy watching her marriage collapse around her. Not that Treasure had asked for an intro—her request had been that they meet in front of the live audience so the experience “was more spontaneous.” As far as superstar demands went, it was easy and doable, and it beat one singer’s request for “six snow-white kittens to play with before I sing.”

Gary, the sound guy, handed her a small microphone. She clipped it on her jacket’s label while he snaked the thin cord over her shoulder. He clipped the battery pack to the waistband her skirt.

Usually she joked about him touching her. Their friendly banter was a regular part of her “get ready” ritual. But today she couldn’t think of a single thing to say. And in eight minutes, that was going to be a big problem.

Breathe, she told herself. She would breathe and trust herself to know what she was doing. She’d done this show for nearly four years. She was good at it. She loved her work and she would be fine. If only she didn’t hear the echo of the screams she didn’t dare give in to.

Gary smoothed her jacket into place, winked at her and smiled. “You’re good to go, Finola.”

“Thank you.” She cleared her throat. “Testing, testing.”

The mike would have already been checked, but she always confirmed it was working.

Gary gave her a thumbs-up before handing over the earpiece that would connect her with the control room. Theirs wasn’t a news show, so she wasn’t getting breaking information, but she still needed to be linked to the control room in case a major story broke. Then she would be able to smoothly transition her viewers to the fact that New York was going to interrupt the show.

She adjusted the earpiece then heard the soft voice of Melody, the director. “Finola, good morning. We’re at five minutes. Good show.”

“Good show,” she said automatically just as someone touched her on the shoulder.

She turned and came face-to-face with Treasure. The country-pop star was about Finola’s height, with long, dark red hair worn in cascading ringlets. Her eyes were deep green and even with heavy TV makeup, her skin was amazing.

Finola blinked in surprise.

“Hello. I thought you didn’t want to meet before the interview.” She managed a smile and held out a hand. “It’s lovely to meet you, Treasure. I’m a big fan.”

The twenty-three-year-old smiled at her. “No, you’re not,” she said softly. “Or if you are now, you won’t be.”

She ignored Finola’s outstretched hand. “You’re older than I thought. Thirty-four, right? You couldn’t be my mom, but you wouldn’t be an older sister, either. Maybe an aunt.”

Finola had no idea what she was talking about. “Okay,” she said slowly. “I need to go out and greet the audience. Everyone is so excited to see you and watch you perform.”

Before she could turn away, Treasure grabbed her upper arm. Her fingers dug in just enough to be uncomfortable.

“It’s me,” she whispered, leaning close. “I’m the one he’s sleeping with. I’m the one who’s done things with him you can’t even imagine. It’s not just the sex, you know. It’s all of it.” She rolled her eyes. “He didn’t want to tell you about us, like he could hide me, but I had my manager book me on your show so he didn’t have a choice.”

Treasure’s smile turned cruel. “And now you know.”

Finola could only stare at her, even as her mind rejected the words. This isn’t happening, she thought desperately. It can’t be. Nothing the other woman was telling her could be true. Before she could react in any way, Treasure released her and walked away. Finola pressed a hand to her stomach, hoping to slow the bleeding just enough to not die that very moment.

She had to run, she told herself. She had to get out of here. She had to—

“Finola?”

Melody’s voice competed with the very loud buzzing in her head.

“Finola, you need to get on set now.”

The show. She had to do the show. It was live, so there was no second chance. She had to walk out there and face the two hundred people in the audience, not to mention the million or so in their homes. AM SoCal was hugely popular. She was well liked in the community and today they had on a massive star. Ratings would be huge.

“Finola?”

“I’m here.”

She drew in a breath and dug as deep as she could for every ounce of professionalism, not to mention self-preservation, she’d managed to accumulate in her life. She had to survive sixty minutes. Just sixty minutes and then she would be able to collapse. Just the next hour. That was all.

She walked out to face her audience.