Review - - Secrets of the Tulip Sisters

Secrets of the Tulip Sisters

By Susan Mallery

Publisher: Harlequin HQN
Release Date: July 11, 2017
Reviewed by Janga

Kelly Murphy’s stable, ordinary life as a fifth-generation tulip farmer in Tulpen Crossing, Washington, is shaken by the return of two people. First, Griffith Burnett, her high school crush whose careless words broke her heart thirteen years ago, has been back for a year. For the last several months, Griffith is everywhere Kelly turns. He even shows up at her previously all-female book club. When Kelly confronts him about his Johnny-on-the-spot appearances, he is direct and honest. He is looking for a long-term girlfriend, and he thinks Kelly is exactly what he needs although he cautions her that he is not interested in love and marriage. He tried that, failed at it, and has no plans for a repeat.

While Kelly is still reeling from Griffith’s announcement, her younger sister Olivia, who hasn’t returned to Tulpen Crossing since she was sent away to school more than a decade ago, decides to come home for the summer. Growing up, Kelly and Olivia were close, but Kelly was always closer to her father while Olivia was her mother’s daughter. When their mother left town and their parents divorced, Olivia felt like an outsider, a feeling that was magnified when she was taken out of the local high school and sent to a Colorado boarding school. The sisters have rarely seen each other over the years, and they have lost the sisterly bonds that connected them as children. Kelly has a guilty secret, and she is uneasy about Olivia’s sudden appearance.

Olivia is uncertain of her reception. She lacks a sense of belonging to the family. She also has secrets of her own, and she is less than open about all her reasons for coming home. Her high school boyfriend, Griffith’s younger brother Ryan, may have been the catalyst, but he is ultimately less important than all the other forces that drive her. Life in her hometown has more to offer than Olivia expected. Not only are her relationships with her father and sister becoming more intimate and fulfilling, but she also finds a career niche. Then, there is Sven the Viking God, who makes Ryan look like the spoiled, irresponsible jerk he is.

Helen Sperry, Kelly’s best friend and owner of the local diner, is guarding a secret too. She is in love with Jeff Murphy, Kelly and Olivia’s father. She has nurtured feelings for him for years while she played the role of good friend and fellow music lover, but she decides that it is time to make a move. Jeff at first insists that the age difference is too great to be overcome, but he eventually relents. Just when everything is going well for the Murphys as a family and with their love interests, secrets are revealed and the return of another former resident adds to the turmoil. These developments put all the relationships in jeopardy. It will take honesty, understanding, and forgiveness in generous portions to see family ties, friendship, and romances restored.

Susan Mallery’s latest women’s fiction novel is a winner. The three main female characters are likable and sympathetic with enough flaws to make them believable. Olivia’s journey of self-discovery is the most complex and best developed, but Kelly and Helen also learn things about themselves. Both sisterhood and female friendship are integral to the story. However, since this is a Mallery book, it will come as no surprise to readers that the romantic element is strong indeed. The romances of Kelly and Griffith and Helen and Jeff are more interesting and more developed than that of Olivia and Sven. I preferred Griffith and Jeff, but Sven is a fun character. He figures heavily (pun intended) in the promotion for the book. If this is the first of a new series, readers can doubtless expect to see more of Sven and Olivia. (And the puns persist.)

Another thing I really liked about this book is the role of work. Kelly and Jeff are committed to the family tulip farm with its rich history. Griffith is invested financially and emotionally in his micro housing business, both the commercial and the philanthropic divisions. Helen finds owning the Parrot Café unexpectedly rewarding and Olivia’s new career goals are a significant part of her growth. Mallery gives readers enough information about all these jobs to lend credence to the fact that her primary characters are people whose work is important to who they are. I found it immensely satisfying to see work meriting more than an occasional reference.

Susan Mallery is one of the best at giving readers emotionally rich women’s fiction that also satisfies the romance reader’s expectation of a love story (or in this case, three) that is engaging with an upbeat ending. She is at the top of her game in The Secrets of the Tulip Sisters. I highly recommend this book.

Excerpt Tour & Giveaway: Susan Mallery's Secrets of the Tulip Sisters

Secrets of the Tulip Sisters
By Susan Mallery
Publisher: HQN
Release Date: July 11, 2017
Available for Pre-Order:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Books-A-Million

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? 

Excerpt:

Kelly Murphy was willing to accept certain injustices in the world. That brownies had more calories than celery. That wearing white pants meant getting her period—regardless of where she was in her cycle. That her car would be low on gas only on days when she was running late. What she did not appreciate or accept was the total unfairness of Griffith Burnett not only returning to Tulpen Crossing, Washington nearly a year ago, but apparently waking up last month and deciding that stalking her was how he was going to spend his day.

The man was everywhere. Every. Where. He was the aphid swarm in the garden of her life. He was kudzu and rain at an outdoor wedding and someone blurting out the end of a movie right when you were getting to the good part, all rolled into one.

“You’re putting a lot of energy into the man,” Helen Sperry pointed out in a let’s-humor-the-crazy-girl tone.

“This isn’t about me,” Kelly told her. “I’m not the one who’s always there. I’m not the one lurking.”

“If you keep seeing him wherever you go, a case could be made that you’re stalking him.”

“I’m not going to dignify that with a response,” Kelly muttered as she pulled in front of the craft mall and parked her truck.

“Did you know Griffith back in high school?” Helen asked. “You’re what? Three years younger? You couldn’t have had the same friends.”

“We didn’t. I was a sophomore when he was a senior,” Kelly admitted. “We didn’t have any classes together.”

But not having the same classes in no way meant she hadn’t known who he was. Everyone had known Griffith Burnett. He’d been one of those godlike figures blessed with good looks, a brain and athletic talent. She’d been the slightly weird girl he’d never noticed…until he’d broken her delicate, young girl’s heart.

“I’m sure him being everywhere you are is just one of those things,” Helen said. “I’m sorry to use logic, but we live in a tiny, little town. You and I cross paths with each other all the time. I see you like five hundred times a day.”

Kelly smiled. “But we’re friends and I like seeing you.”

“Back at you.” Helen looked at her. “You okay or is there something going on I don’t know about?”

“Nothing but Griffith,” Kelly told her. “I’m sure you’re right. I’m sure it’s just a coincidence that I can’t take two steps without seeing him.” Words that sounded great but that she didn’t believe for a second.

If she were anyone else, or if he weren’t who he was, she might think he was interested in her…in a boy-girl kind of way. He always spoke to her when he saw her, and smiled. His gaze seemed to linger. But there was no way he wanted anything like that from her. Kelly had proof.

Thirteen years and some odd months ago, she’d turned a corner and run into Griffith. She’d been on her way to AP English and he’d been…well, she had no idea what he’d been doing. For less than a second, as her books had gone flying, she and Griffith had been plastered together from chest to thigh. She’d never been so close to a boy before. Never been so aware…so everything.

Then he’d stepped back. He’d helped her pick up her books, winked when she’d stuttered an apology then had lightly, and oh so gently, squeezed her hand before she’d darted off to the safety of her class.

In those magic seconds, when his fingers had touched hers and their eyes had locked together, she’d fallen totally and completely in love with Griffith.

It had been the kind of true love born only of a pure and inexperienced heart. She’d never even been kissed. From that moment on, she dreamed only of Griffith.

Just a week later, she’d walked by him standing with his friends. One of the guys had called out something about her being “doable.” A gross and disgusting comment that had made her cringe, but that had been nothing compared to Griffith’s casually uttered, “I couldn’t be less interested.”

She’d been devastated and had immediately turned and run. She’d been so upset and hurt that she’d needed somewhere to put all that emotion. That evening she’d had a fight with her mother, the kind where things best left unsaid were spoken and lives altered forever. Kelly knew in her head that what had happened with Griffith had nothing to do with her mother walking out on their family less than twelve hours later, but for her, the two incidents were forever linked.

She shook off the memories and grabbed her copy of Eat, Pray, Love. Their book club was discussing it tonight—for the third time—and she vowed that from this second on, she wouldn’t think about Griffith ever again. At least not for the next three hours.

She followed Helen out of the truck and into Petal Pushers—the name du jour for the local craft mall the town hoped would be a tourist draw. There were booths where people could sell everything from handmade crafts to antiques to food. At the far end of the huge space was a big stage and reception area, along with a few community meeting rooms. All that was missing were the tourists. Vacationers loved to come to Tulpen Crossing for the tulip festival every spring, but beyond that, not so much.

Kelly wanted to say that wasn’t her problem, but as a member of the tourism development committee, she did have a vested interest in getting people back to their small slice of heaven.

It was early on Tuesday night and Petal Pushers was closed. The long corridor to the meeting rooms was dimly lit and their footsteps echoed on the worn linoleum—Kelly’s more than Helen’s, actually. Probably because while Helen wore cute flats, Kelly hadn’t bothered to change out of her work boots. Or her jeans. Or her slightly stained T-shirt.

One day, she promised herself. One day she would care about clothes and buy a push-up bra and be, if not girly, then at least vaguely feminine. She should let Helen inspire her.

Her friend was tall, with inky black hair that fell past her shoulders, and startlingly blue eyes. She had plenty of curves and always managed to look sexy, no matter what she wore. Helen worried about carrying a few extra pounds, but Kelly didn’t see that at all. Helen was lush while Kelly was…boring. She had brown hair she wore in a ponytail. Brown eyes. No curves, no noticeable features at all. She was plain.

She supposed she could do something to be more Helen-like but who had the time? And even if every few months she swore she was going to do something about her appearance—like wear mascara—she quickly got distracted and forgot. Until the next time. 

So here she was, clumping along in boots that might or might not have mud on them. At least book club would be fun. There was always good conversation and wine. 

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I don't know about you but after reading that excerpt I can't wait to find out more about Kelly, Griffith, Olivia, and everyone else in Tulpen Crossing. I'm off to pre-order Secrets of the Tulip Sisters!   

Do you ever pre-order books or do you wait until they are released?

Have you read Susan Mallery's books? Do you have a favorite book or series?

Kelly's hometown of Tulpen Crossing is known for its Tulip Festival. For what is your town or region known?

One very lucky person who leaves a comment before 11:00 PM (EST) April 18, 2017 will receive a beautiful bouquet of tulips from Susan Mallery. The winner decides who will receive this lovely bouquet. You can have it sent to you, a friend, a relative...whoever you choose! **U.S. only**

To receive the tulips, the winner must provide their name, phone number, and the name and address of their chosen recipient.

For a full list of the tour stops, click below:

http://tlcbooktours.com/2017/03/susan-mallery-author-of-secrets-of-the-tulip-sisters-on-tour-aprilmay-2017/