Book Review - Secrets of the Tulip Sisters by Susan Mallory

Book Synopsis
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Daughters of the Bride comes the charming tale about the problem with secrets, the power of love and the unbreakable bond between sisters

Kelly Murphy’s life as a tulip farmer is pretty routine—up at dawn, off to work, lather, rinse, repeat. But everything changes one sun-washed summer with two dramatic homecomings: Griffith Burnett—Tulpen Crossing’s prodigal son, who’s set his sights on Kelly—and Olivia, her beautiful, wayward and, as far as Kelly is concerned, unwelcome sister. Tempted by Griffith, annoyed by Olivia, Kelly is overwhelmed by the secrets that were so easy to keep when she was alone.

But Olivia’s return isn’t as triumphant as she pretends. Her job has no future, and ever since her dad sent her away from the bad boy she loved, she has felt cut off from her past. She’s determined to reclaim her man and her place in the family…whether her sister likes it or not. For ten years, she and Kelly have been strangers. Olivia will get by without her approval now.

While Kelly and Olivia butt heads, their secrets tumble out in a big hot mess, revealing some truths that will change everything they thought they knew. Can they forgive each other—and themselves—and redefine what it means to be sisters?

Told with Mallery’s trademark heart and humor, the Tulip Sisters are in for the most colorful summer of their lives…

 

Purchase Links

Amazon | Books-A-Million | Barnes & Noble

My Review
Secrets of the Tulip Sisters takes place in a little town called Tulpen Crossing, Washington.  In this book you will meet tulip farmer Kelly Murphy and her prodigal sister Olivia.  As the sisters sort out their differences and secrets kept and shared, they also are looking for love, connection, and happiness. 

Let me admit this first -- this book has both tulips and tiny houses, which predisposed me to love it. 

Tulips are my favorite flowers and I thought that reading about a tulip farm would be fascinating.  It was!  I loved the details about tulips and the day-to-day farming life recounted in this novel.

It was a fun surprise to learn that Kelly's crush Griffin worked as a tiny house designer.  Tiny houses are one of my obsessions!  I really loved reading about the tiny houses Griffin designed and the way they were constructed and displayed at his business.

This is just a perfect summer read.  I really liked all the characters, loved the unique setting, and enjoyed the fresh, lively writing.   The book begins:

"Kelly Murphy was willing to accept certain injustices in the world.  That brownies had more calories than celery.  That wearing white pants meant getting her period - regardless of where she was in her cycle.  That her car would be low on gas only on days when she was running late.   What she did not appreciate or accept was the total unfairness of Griffith Burnett not only returning to Tulpen Crossing, Washington nearly a year ago, but apparently waking up last month and deciding that stalking her was how he was going to spend his day" (p. 7). 

How could you resist an opening like that?   The book only gets better as you meet the characters and learn about their lives. 

This is my first Susan Mallery read, but it will not be my last.  I recommend Secrets of the Tulip Sisters as a perfect book to pack for your vacation or enjoy at home on a lazy weekend.

Author Bio

Susan Mallery is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of books about the relationships that define women’s lives—romance, friendship, family. With compassion and humor, Susan keenly observes how people think and feel, in stories that take readers on an emotional journey. Sometimes heartbreaking, often funny, and always uplifting, Susan’s books have spent more than 200 weeks on the USA Today bestsellers list, thanks to her ever growing legions of fans.

Critics, too, have heaped praise on “the new queen of romantic fiction.” (Walmart) Booklist says, “Romance novels don’t get much better than Mallery’s expert blend of emotional nuance, humor, and superb storytelling,” and RT Book Reviews puts her “in a class by herself!”

Although Susan majored in Accounting, she never worked as an accountant because she was published straight out of college with two books the same month, January of 1992. Sixteen prolific years and seventy-four books later, she hit the New York Times bestsellers list for the first time with Accidentally Yours in 2008. She made many appearances in the Top 10 before (finally) hitting #1 in 2015 with Thrill Me, the twentieth book in her most popular series, the Fool’s Gold romances, and the fourth of five books released that year.
Susan lives in Seattle with her husband, two ragdoll cats, and a tattletale toy poodle. Her heart for animals has led Susan to become an active supporter of the Seattle Humane Society. Animals play a big role in her books, as well, as she believes they’re an integral component to a happy life.

Connect with Susan

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I received a copy of this book from TLC Book Tours.