THE FRIENDS WE KEEP by Susan Mallery is the first title I have read by Ms. Mallery, and I quite enjoyed it. The friends we keep play an important role in our life. For a relationship based purely on choice it does make quite an impact on our lives. Friends are like the backbone of our emotional life, to some friends matter more than for others. Often times we rely more on friends then on our immediate family. In this story of three friends, we see friendship playing a silent yet necessary and supportive role. It's about leaning on friends and trusting them to be there and keep us sane when life gets out of control.

The plot seamlessly blends friendship in the story. The lives of the characters are brought together beautifully with the calming touch of friendships. What I like about THE FRIENDS WE KEEP is the respect the friends have for each other and how they did not take each other for granted. Some of the characters were infuriating, but effectively played their roles in teaching some important life lessons. It brings home the reality of how lucky we are to choose our own friends and make up for not having a choice about our family and relatives.

Sometimes no one is at fault and everyone is to blame in relationships that die with time. I particularly enjoyed the vulnerabilities and pull between Nicole and the delicious Jairus. Gabby and Andrew show that even when we get scared giving up and running away the moment a warning alarm goes off isn't the right choice. Haley is someone who I couldn't fully understand, and that's all right because every once in a while we come across a character whose choice we may accept but not necessarily understand. THE FRIENDS WE KEEP portrays that leaning on partners and friends during moments of trials and happiness is what will make life a better place. I thoroughly enjoyed the strong sense of friendship and integrity in THE FRIENDS WE KEEP.

Book Summary

After five years as a stay-at-home mom, Gabby Schaefer can't wait to return to work. Oh, to use the bathroom in peace! No twins clamoring at the door, no husband barging in, no stepdaughter throwing a tantrum. But when her plans are derailed by some shocking news and her husband's crushing expectations, Gabby must fight for the right to have a life of her own.

Getting pregnant is easy for Hayley Batchelor. Staying pregnant is the hard part. Her husband is worried about the expensive fertility treatments and frantic about the threat to her health. But to Hayley, a woman who was born to be a mom should risk everything to fulfill her destiny —no matter how high the cost.

Nicole Lord is still shell-shocked by a divorce that wasn't as painful as it should've been. Other than the son they share, her ex-husband left barely a ripple in her life. A great new guy tempts her to believe maybe the second time's the charm…but how can she trust herself to recognize true love?

As their bonds of friendship deepen against the beautiful backdrop of Mischief Bay, Gabby, Hayley and Nicole will rely on good food, good wine and especially each other to navigate life's toughest changes.