Interesting turn of events. Being an ex-wife with a high school daughter Erica was the financial support for her family. Her multiple spas and salons were doing well, and her daughter Summer was as well. School was okay and Summer excelled and loved her softball. In Erica’s eyes, she and Summer were a team. Teamwork and schedules were an essential part of their life. Peter, the ex was still in the picture, at least for Summer. Now remarried he and his new wife Allison were expecting their second child. In many ways, Allison seems like the polar opposite of Erica. Definitely not ambitious. And now clueless about the legal problems Peter is experiencing.
Peter carefully nurtured the facts about their divorce. He came away as the injured party. Erica let that go to lessen the effects on Summer. Even now it’s still poor Peter syndrome. And now it seems Summer is troubled by poor Allison since Peter has been arrested for some security issues. Erica doesn’t see where any of this falls under her umbrella. But the problems just may have a cascading effect on all of them.
Erica had kept it concealed that Peter, as her accountant, had stolen money from her businesses. She had of course moved her businesses out of his firm. And now years later it seems as if Peter’s firm just may have been involved in something less than legal.
Erica has no intention of letting Summer get sucked into the misery that her ex caused.
The path of the storyline in FOR THE LOVE OF SUMMER was unexpected. Fabulous of course as literary art by Susan Mallery. This is a testimony to a mother’s love and devotion even at their own expense. You may not be comfortable with the situation that ensues in this life examination. But the relationship between mothers and children is sacrosanct.
Susan Mallery presents us with an experiment. Through the dialog between mother, daughter, and grandmother you are part of the dynamic. The relationship between Erica and the man she is seeing – note not referred to as the boyfriend - Killion is just another example of what talented Susan Mallery can conjure up. In a discussion between Killion and Erica, her response is “fine.” Killion’s response to fine is that it isn’t an acceptable answer. Fine, either means they don’t want to talk about it or guess what’s bothering me. The exchange between these two characters is very enlightening and once again illustrates the mastery of Susan Mallery.
Suffice it to say be prepared to be swept off your feet by FOR THE LOVE OF SUMMER. From start to finish these characters will just blow you away with their witty repartee, sass, and heartfelt chats. Pure Susan Mallery. Sure to make new fans and enthrall her old ones.
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery comes an unforgettable tale about finding friendship with the unlikeliest person…
As the owner of Twisted, Seattle’s best salons, Erica knows that the sharpest cuts come from the people we love. She’s terrified that she’s losing her teen daughter, Summer, to her “other” family, especially to her stepmom, Allison.
All it takes to blow up Allison’s happy life is one collect call. From prison. Her beloved husband, Peter, has been arrested, leaving Allison pregnant, broke, scared and alone with a toddler. But when her stepdaughter ferrets out the truth, the teen rushes to the last person Allison wants to ask for help—her husband’s battle-ax ex.
Erica would do anything for Summer, even take in the woman her daughter loves like a second mom. Allison feels intimidated by Erica—a woman who would never let herself become so dependent on a man. But the more time they spend together, the more Allison realizes what Erica truly needs is a friend. Can two women who married the same man move beyond their complicated past and rethink what it means to be family?