Book Review and Giveaway: A Million Little Things

By Melissa Amster

**Synopsis may contain spoilers for the previous Mischief Bay novels.**

From the bestselling author of The Girls of Mischief Bay and The Friends We Keep comes a twisty tale of family dynamics that explores what can go terribly, hysterically wrong when the line between friendship and family blurs…

Zoe Saldivar is more than just single—she’s ALONE. She recently broke up with her longtime boyfriend, she works from home, and her best friend Jen is so obsessed with her baby that she has practically abandoned their friendship. The day Zoe accidentally traps herself in her attic with her hungry-looking cat, she realizes that it’s up to her to stop living in isolation.

Her seemingly empty life takes a sudden turn for the complicated—her first new friend is Jen’s widowed mom, Pam. The only guy to give her butterflies in a very long time is Jen’s brother. And meanwhile, Pam is being very deliberately seduced by Zoe’s own smooth-as-tequila father. Pam’s flustered, Jen’s annoyed, and Zoe is beginning to think “alone” doesn't sound so bad, after all.

Friendship isn’t just one thing—it’s a million little things, and no one writes them with more heart and humor than book club sensation Susan Mallery! (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

I've been enjoying Susan Mallery's Mischief Bay series, so I was glad to receive A Million Little Things to review. I devoured it quickly, as in 200 pages in one day. It flowed nicely and was very hard to put down. Like spending time with some close friends.

It was nice to revisit with Pam and see how things were going with her a couple of years after her story left off. However, there were times in this book that she was very frustrating to deal with. Even when I saw her through her own perspective. There was a lot of gray area to her feelings on a situation that happens in this novel.

Jen also could be frustrating at times, but I felt more connected with her and got annoyed with people judging her parenting decisions. I understood what she was going through in terms of being concerned that her son wasn't talking at 18 months old and also feeling anxious about things that were beyond her control, such as stuff that could happen at her husband's job.

I felt for Zoe a lot, as her life went through the most changes in this novel. She is a new character who is very easy to sympathize with. I was impressed with how she handled being trapped in an attic. I wouldn't have fared so well. I also liked the relationship and dialogue between Zoe and her father, Miguel.

Overall, another great visit to Mischief Bay. I can't wait for the next installment in the series and hope that Shannon will take center stage again.

I cast the main (and a few side) characters in my reviews (linked to the titles) of The Girls of Mischief Bay and The Friends We Keep. I had fun casting this one too!

Zoe: Rosa Salazar
Jen: Kelen Coleman
Lucas: Johnny Messner (He's currently on Jane the Virgin and he totally fits the role)
Miguel: Antonio Banderas 
Steven: Chris Pratt
Pam: Still picturing Julie Warner
Olympia: Rose Abdoo

Thanks to MIRA for the book in exchange for an honest review. They have one copy to give away!

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Giveaway ends March 6th at midnight EST.