The Friendship List: A Novel by Susan Mallery

(Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:

Already a worldwide success in mass market and trade paperback formats, Susan Mallery’s newest hardcover is an emotional, witty, and heartfelt story about two best friends who are determined to help one another shake things up and live life to the fullest...only to discover that possibilities are everywhere--especially in the most unexpected of places.

Ellen and Unity have been best friends basically since birth, but they couldn’t be more different. Unity married her childhood sweetheart just after high school and became an Army wife, moving from base to base…until her husband's shocking death in the line of duty leaves her a widow. Grief-stricken, it’s time for Unity to come back home to Ellen—the only person she can trust to help her rebuild her life. But Ellen has troubles of her own. Boys never seemed to notice Ellen…until one got her pregnant in high school and disappeared. Her son is now 17 and she’s wondering what to do with herself now that he’s heading off to college and he's literally her entire world.

But now that Ellen and Unity are reunited, they’re done with their stale lives. It’s time to shake things up and start living again, knowing that they'll always have one another to lean on. So they create a list of challenges they have to accomplish--everything from getting a tattoo to skydiving to staying out all night. And whoever completes the most challenges is the winner. But with new adventures and love just around the corner, there’s no such thing as losing…

my thoughts:

What a fun, engaging, and heartwarming story about friendship, love, and family. The Friendship List by Susan Mallery was such a treat to read on a rainy afternoon. I just fell in so deep, that I wound up finishing the book in one sitting. It was just too good to put down.

Ellen and Unity are BFFs who have known each other since birth. They have been there for one another all of their lives.  Middle-aged and feeling out of sorts, the two decide to create a list - challenges to push them to shake up their lives. Challenges like, getting a tattoo to skydiving. Yep, these two want to show everyone around them that they are just fine and living life to the fullest. You see, Unity is a widow, mourning her husband; while Ellen's son is afraid to go to college and leave her all alone.  By joining forces, these two best friends plan on embracing life once more and having a few exciting adventures of their own.

Talk about a love letter to friendship! This book shows the true meaning of friendship through Unity and Ellen's relationship.The ups and downs they go through, their deep bond, and the love they have for one another just shines through. I really enjoyed getting to know them both and reading all about their misadventures. Such a great story!

I would happily recommend The Friendship List to fans of Mallery and anyone looking for their next great read.




Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of the book!