"Amazing cast of characters bring this story to life."
Reviewed by Sandra Wurman
Posted December 4, 2017
Romance Contemporary
WOW, quite a case for nature versus nurture. Guilt and self-
condemnation for something done many years before, it seems
everyone involved is trying hard to live down the
repercussions of their actions. But truly, these decisions
weren't necessarily make with contempt or avarice. In the
end, the result was to wedge a huge chasm in a family
already in turmoil. Somehow Susan Mallery wants us to grow to understand, like
and forgive those directly involved in dividing this family.
And she gets the job done in her own special way, through
letting us get to know these characters, recognizing their
flaws and acknowledging their attributes. Susan Mallery's
booklist is filled with wonderful, memorable stories about
all kinds of families and in SECRETS OF THE TULIP SISTERS,
we are once again treated to a fabulous tale. Olivia and Kelly were enmeshed in the awful destructive life
and marriage of their parents who could no longer manage to
stay together. No amount of compromise would get this couple
over the hurdle and the anger was deep-seated and earned. No
doubt about it. Olivia and Kelly were the casualties. SECRETS OF THE TULIP SISTERS revolves around extraordinary
normal characters handling their own issues, mostly with
aplomb. But as in real life, everyone needs a good support
group or person and luckily these folk have that.
Friendship, family and unconventional relationships forged a
monumental, meaningful togetherness. It all seems to start with the return of Griffith Burnett to
Tulpen Crossing. For some reason, Griffith seems to pop up
where ever Kelly is. While in high school Kelly would have
bet he didn't even knew she existed which is the mantra of
every girl where the guy is the town football legend. They
would never be in the same universe. But that didn't stop
Kelly, young and impressionable, from dreaming and getting
her fragile feelings hurt. But now her grown-up imagination
is taking off. They are living in a small town. Bumping into
people is a common occurrence. Kelly's attitude and self-appraisal is a sad example of how
we beat ourselves up when we think we don't measure up.
Olivia, Kelly's sister, according to Kelly does. Kelly
takes after her father, down to earth, ordinary, hardworking
tulip farmers. Olivia takes after their mother. According to
Kelly's friend Olivia is like an exotic tulip. I'm sure
you are getting the picture. So in Kelly's mind, there is
absolutely no reason why Griffith seems to be paying
attention to her. No reason at all. And each time they bump
into each other it rackets up her angst to still another level. Griffith has an intriguing successful career, he designs and
builds tiny houses. And he knew what it would take to bring
his business to the next level. Griffith had his own
personal challenge, his ex-baseball playing brother Ryan.
Ryan knew how to take advantage and dodge any real
responsibility. Quite the opposite of his older brother
Griffith. And let's not forget the last little player in this books
drama, Olivia. Living the good life, staging homes to up her
margins in selling homes and playing second fiddle to her
boss. Olivia would give anything to try again for a
relationship with Ryan. Being with Ryan would mean she
finally made it. But being with Ryan meant going back home.
Ugh. It all points back to Olivia and Kelly's mother leaving
them and their father. Olivia still looking to be that
special person in someone's life. Kelly had that special
relationship with their dad. Olivia adored her mother. Well,
she did adore her mother until she started working for her.
And it seems as if that isn't working that well. So Olivia
is going home for the summer. All paths seem to converge in Tulpen Crossing. Don't miss a
minute of this amazing, page-turner that makes you realize
how talented Susan Mallery is. She created a world filled
with the most wondrous characters, leads and support cast.
SECRETS OF THE TULIP SISTERS is a truly standalone book, not
part of any series, but it could be. Saying goodbye to the
people you've met will be very difficult. Truly a Susan
Mallery masterpiece.
SUMMARY
Don't miss this heart-warming tale about family, and
the unbreakable bond between sisters. From the #1 New
York Times bestselling author of Daughters of the
Bride comes the feel-good novel of the year! 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…
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