Otherwise Engaged by Susan Mallery is a stand alone novel about mothers and daughters. Shannon, Victoria, Cindy and Ava are the main characters with each woman playing a key part in the story. The book is a story about mothers and daughters and all their dealings and foibles.
Cindy was young when she had Shannon. For years, she scraped by taking care of her daughter and her father. Eventually, she was able to get a job that allowed for more security. Shannon was undecided about what she wanted to do with her life. She knew her mother scraped and worked hard to bring her up and allow her to participate in various activities. Now Cindy was on a stable financial standing and Shannon is struggling to find hers. The only thing she knows is that Aaron is her man/love/fiance. Shannon has not shared the information with her mom, Cindy as Cindy is planning for her own wedding to a wonderful man. Shannon is horrified at the thought of doing a double wedding, so she keeps the biggest secret from her mom.
Ava is happily married and raised Victoria from a baby. A baby they adopted, which Victoria knew and thought explained why she and her mother were so different from each other. Victoria felt her mother was always trying to push her into other careers, but she was a stunt double. After years of gymnastics and cheering, she was writing a screen play secretly from her mom (although she showed it to her father). Unfortunately, CIndy was badly hurt on a set accident and is dependent on needing help from her folks.
Into these separate but interesting stories, the stories merge in the present based on a happening in the past. As the characters interact, more of the story comes out and intertwines. A secret is never a secret for that long. The daughters’ and the mothers’ relationships are strained as everyone comes to grips with the truth.
Otherwise Engaged by Susan Mallery is an interesting read with lots of surprises and misunderstandings. My only regret is the book seems to just stop, not end. There are ideas for discussion questions at the end. Otherwise Engaged by Susan Mallery is a good read.
The book comes out early November. The opinions in this review are my own. An ARC novel was given to me by the publisher.
