Book Review: The Summer of Sunshine & Margot by Susan Mallery

Title: The Summer of Sunshine & Margot
Author: Susan Mallery

My review: This book was such a fun read! Two sisters, twins, very different in looks but not so different in their big hearts, how they care for others, and bad luck in the romance department. Margot is successful at what she does - though I don't know what to call it. She teaches people how to behave in situations where they may not have any experience - usually business-wise. Her new client is an older famous actress who has been known to be a little outrageous and is engaged to a diplomat from another country. Very much in love, she does not want to embarrass him at social engagements or worse yet, get him fired. She has a son, Alec, who has grown up successful himself, but unlike his mother, likes his world controlled and well-maintained.

The other sister, Sunshine, is a nanny that is always successful in connecting with the children she cares for, but tends to disappear from their lives when the new flavor of the month comes along - so she is not very reliable, and not successful in romance.  Her current client is a single dad Declan, with a young son Connor.  They hit it off very well as Sunshine is trying to change her ways.  

Two pretty sisters, two eligible single men, and of course love will be on the horizon.  There are some upsets and roadblocks and some humorous situations (gotta love Bianca - Alec's mom) and it is overall a very entertaining read.  Would be great for taking to the beach or on vacation.

How to Make Friends with the Dark by Kathleen Glasglow

Title: How to Make Friends with the Dark
Author: Kathleen Glasglow

From Goodreads: Here is what happens when your mother dies.

It’s the brightest day of summer and it’s dark outside. It’s dark in your house, dark in your room, and dark in your heart. You feel like the darkness is going to split you apart.

That’s how it feels for Tiger. It’s always been Tiger and her mother against the world. Then, on a day like any other, Tiger’s mother dies. And now it’s Tiger, alone.

Here is how you learn to make friends with the dark. 

My thoughts:  This book dealt with a tough subject.  A young girl's mom dies, and as far as she knew, this was her only living relative.   She has to deal with the new reality of foster care and learning to care for herself and make her own decisions.  Her mom had been very protective so she hadn't really even been able to pick out her own clothes before.  It takes you into her world and how she now views her relationships with classmates, school, and the rest of her life. 

For me, I lost my dad when I was 17 (but still had a mom and siblings).  I am much older now, but it made me really look back on that time in my life and realize that I probably should have talked to a counselor or a therapist.  I made some not so great decisions in the five years following his death that have affected my entire life.  When you are going through the loss of a parent, it is hard to see how it is really affecting your mental state - it isn't until after that you realize how things changed.   I could have really benefitted from this book just to help me realize that the feelings I had were normal and learn how to navigate those waters that overtake you when you lose a parent.