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The Guest List
Two sisters hopeful for the future fail to see the monster creeping up from their past in this romantic suspense tale by the #1 New York Times–bestseller. For the first time ever, Abby Mitchell feels that the world is her oyster. Her first book has found a publisher, a daring new surgery promises to take away the birthmark that mars her lovely face, and there’s a new man in her life, a man who sees beyond her flaw . . . into her heart. Best of all though, Abby has been reunited with her sister Mallory. Separated as girls after their parents tragically died, Abby always dreamed that one day they would be together again. But while two loving sisters make up for lost time, danger hides in the shadows. Now, Abby and Mallory have planned a sumptuous party—unaware that their gathering will include and uninvited guest who will do anything to keep the past hidden . . .Praise for The Guest List “An eventful tale of sisterly love and simmering obsession . . . . Michaels has crafted a smoothly written, dramatic tale full of incident and emotion.” —Publishers Weekly
402 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2000
About the author
Fern Michaels
394 books5,853 followersFern Michaels isn’t a person. I’m not sure she’s an entity either since an entity is something with separate existence. Fern Michaels® is what I DO. Me, Mary Ruth Kuczkir. Growing up in Hastings, Pennsylvania, I was called Ruth. I became Mary when I entered the business world where first names were the order of the day. To this day, family and friends call me Dink, a name my father gave me when I was born because according to him I was ‘a dinky little thing’ weighing in at four and a half pounds. However, I answer to Fern since people are more comfortable with a name they can pronounce.
As they say, the past is prologue. I grew up, got a job, got married, had five kids. When my youngest went off to Kindergarten, my husband told me to get off my ass and get a job. Those were his exact words. I didn’t know how to do anything except be a wife and mother. I was also a voracious reader having cut my teeth on The Bobbsey Twins, Nancy Drew, The Hardy Boys, Cherry Ames and the like. The library was a magical place for me. It still is to this day. Rather than face the outside world with no skills, I decided to write a book. For some reason that didn’t intimidate me. As my husband said at the time, stupid is as stupid does. Guess what, I don’t have that husband any more. Guess what else! I wrote 99 books, most of them New York Times Best Sellers.
Moving right along here . . . Several years ago I left Ballantine Books, parted company with my agent, sold my house in New Jersey that I had lived in all my married life and in 1993 moved to South Carolina. I figured if I was going to go through trauma let it be all at one time. It was a breeze. The kids were all on their own at that point. The dump was a 300 year old plantation house that is listed in the National Registry that I remodeled. Today it is beyond belief as are the gardens and the equally old Angel Oaks that drip Spanish moss. Unfortunately, I could not get my ghost to relocate. This ghost has been documented by previous owners. Mary Margaret as we call her, is “a friendly”. She is also mischievous. It took me two weeks to figure out that she didn’t like my coffee cups. They would slide off the table or counter or else they’d break in the dishwasher. I bought red checkered ones. All are intact as of this writing. She moves pillows from one room to the other and she stops all the clocks in the house at 9:10 in the a.m. at least once a week. When the Azaleas are in bloom, and only then, I find blooms on my night stand. I have this glorious front porch and during the warm months I see my swing moving early in the morning when the air is still and again late in the day. She doesn’t spook the dogs. I always know when she’s around because the five of them line up and look like they’re at a tennis match. As of this writing we’re co-habiting nicely.
Most writers love what they do and I’m no exception. I love it when I get a germ of an idea and get it down on paper. I love breathing life into my characters. I love writing about women who persevere and prevail because that’s what I had to do to get to this point in time. It’s another way of saying it doesn’t matter where you’ve been, what matters is where you’re going and how you get there. The day I finally prevailed was the day I was inducted into the New Jersey Literary Hall of Fame. For me it was an awesome day and there are no words to describe it.
I’ve been telling stories and scribbling for 37 years. I hope I can continue for another 37 years. It wasn’t easy during some of those years. As I said, I had to persevere. My old Polish grandmother said something to me when I was little that I never forgot. She said when God is good to you, you have to give back. For a while I didn’t know how to do that. When I finally figured it out I set up The Fern Michaels® Foundation.
READ FERN MICHAELS' FULL BIOGRAPHY HERE: http://www.fernmichaels.com/biography/
As they say, the past is prologue. I grew up, got a job, got married, had five kids. When my youngest went off to Kindergarten, my husband told me to get off my ass and get a job. Those were his exact words. I didn’t know how to do anything except be a wife and mother. I was also a voracious reader having cut my teeth on The Bobbsey Twins, Nancy Drew, The Hardy Boys, Cherry Ames and the like. The library was a magical place for me. It still is to this day. Rather than face the outside world with no skills, I decided to write a book. For some reason that didn’t intimidate me. As my husband said at the time, stupid is as stupid does. Guess what, I don’t have that husband any more. Guess what else! I wrote 99 books, most of them New York Times Best Sellers.
Moving right along here . . . Several years ago I left Ballantine Books, parted company with my agent, sold my house in New Jersey that I had lived in all my married life and in 1993 moved to South Carolina. I figured if I was going to go through trauma let it be all at one time. It was a breeze. The kids were all on their own at that point. The dump was a 300 year old plantation house that is listed in the National Registry that I remodeled. Today it is beyond belief as are the gardens and the equally old Angel Oaks that drip Spanish moss. Unfortunately, I could not get my ghost to relocate. This ghost has been documented by previous owners. Mary Margaret as we call her, is “a friendly”. She is also mischievous. It took me two weeks to figure out that she didn’t like my coffee cups. They would slide off the table or counter or else they’d break in the dishwasher. I bought red checkered ones. All are intact as of this writing. She moves pillows from one room to the other and she stops all the clocks in the house at 9:10 in the a.m. at least once a week. When the Azaleas are in bloom, and only then, I find blooms on my night stand. I have this glorious front porch and during the warm months I see my swing moving early in the morning when the air is still and again late in the day. She doesn’t spook the dogs. I always know when she’s around because the five of them line up and look like they’re at a tennis match. As of this writing we’re co-habiting nicely.
Most writers love what they do and I’m no exception. I love it when I get a germ of an idea and get it down on paper. I love breathing life into my characters. I love writing about women who persevere and prevail because that’s what I had to do to get to this point in time. It’s another way of saying it doesn’t matter where you’ve been, what matters is where you’re going and how you get there. The day I finally prevailed was the day I was inducted into the New Jersey Literary Hall of Fame. For me it was an awesome day and there are no words to describe it.
I’ve been telling stories and scribbling for 37 years. I hope I can continue for another 37 years. It wasn’t easy during some of those years. As I said, I had to persevere. My old Polish grandmother said something to me when I was little that I never forgot. She said when God is good to you, you have to give back. For a while I didn’t know how to do that. When I finally figured it out I set up The Fern Michaels® Foundation.
READ FERN MICHAELS' FULL BIOGRAPHY HERE: http://www.fernmichaels.com/biography/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 294 reviews
July 22, 2022
.Abby's mother hates her because she has a port wine stain on her face, and is constantly throwing vitriol her way, Abby's sister Mallory often joins in with hateful comments. Right after Abby's father decides to divorce her mother, they both end up dead. Abby and Mallory are then taken in by friend and brother-in-law Donovan, who marries his girlfriend Carol to help him raise the girls. Carol is just as open about her hate of Mallory, who is soon sent to an institution.
Years later, Abby and Mallory reunite and try to heal past wounds. They are planning a party to celebrate their reunion, plus the publication of Abby's new novel. But their past will not leave them alone.
This is a mystery with few twists and turns and is not the best offering from Fern Michaels. The guilty party is pretty obvious from the start, and some of the characters are way too over the top. There are some poignant moments, such as Abby's feelings about her port wine stain birthmark, how it has affected her life, and how she deals with that. But otherwise I just couldn't connect with the characters or gain much interest in the story.
This book was actually published 20 years ago and appears to be a re-release.
I received a free copy of this book from the publishers via Netgalley. My review is voluntary and my opinions are my own.
Years later, Abby and Mallory reunite and try to heal past wounds. They are planning a party to celebrate their reunion, plus the publication of Abby's new novel. But their past will not leave them alone.
This is a mystery with few twists and turns and is not the best offering from Fern Michaels. The guilty party is pretty obvious from the start, and some of the characters are way too over the top. There are some poignant moments, such as Abby's feelings about her port wine stain birthmark, how it has affected her life, and how she deals with that. But otherwise I just couldn't connect with the characters or gain much interest in the story.
This book was actually published 20 years ago and appears to be a re-release.
I received a free copy of this book from the publishers via Netgalley. My review is voluntary and my opinions are my own.
December 13, 2014
Ugh. I knew the whodunit so early as to be ridiculous.
The writing... ouch, just ouch. Wooden, no rhythm, painful to read. I kept going, hoping it would get better. And remained disappointed throughout.
This is way outside my wheelhouse in terms of both genre and quality, but I wanted a tub read that I didn't care if I dropped it in the water.
Now I kinda wish I had. Would have been better to not have wasted my time on this schlock.
The writing... ouch, just ouch. Wooden, no rhythm, painful to read. I kept going, hoping it would get better. And remained disappointed throughout.
This is way outside my wheelhouse in terms of both genre and quality, but I wanted a tub read that I didn't care if I dropped it in the water.
Now I kinda wish I had. Would have been better to not have wasted my time on this schlock.
February 21, 2013
This book kept interest going at first. However, mid way through the book it was obvious who the villain was. Even though the end was interesting, there were no big surprises. I wished the author kept more room for speculation. I loved the writing style, clear and direct to the point.
August 15, 2020
Funny story. I was highly recommended by a friend to read The Guest List. I read the book and thoroughly enjoyed it. Lots of twists and turns. I found it hard to put down as I wanted to find out what really happened. I don't want to spoil anything for anyone so I'm not saying anything. The book is a murder mystery. When I finished the book I texted my friend a thank you for recommending this page turner. It turned out there is a new book by the same title that she was actually recommending. Now she is reading this book on my recommendation and hopefully enjoying it. I told my book club to read the Fern Michaels The Guest List and they plan to.
May 18, 2020
I've always been a huge Fern Michaels fan, so I don't know how I missed this one (published in 2000) but I'm glad I discovered it now. Don't want to give anything away, but I will say it had all my favorite things: A mystery, romance, and dogs!! A very enjoyable read.
August 5, 2022
Fern Michaels is well known for her character series, she portrays women who have struggled to succeed but still manage to live full lives and help others. I've read many of her books. This is a re-release of an older title but still a good read.
THE GUEST LIST follows a young woman, Abby, from her troubled youth to her successful celebration of publishing her first book and reuniting with her only sister after many years apart. There is a mystery throw in for interest but the characters carry the story. This was a fast read for me.
THE GUEST LIST follows a young woman, Abby, from her troubled youth to her successful celebration of publishing her first book and reuniting with her only sister after many years apart. There is a mystery throw in for interest but the characters carry the story. This was a fast read for me.
July 26, 2022
A twisty tale. Abby and Mallory as children were not close. Mallory was a horrible child, coddled and spoiled by an over indulgent mother. Abby was the ugly duckling due to her birth mark on her face, a fact her mother never let her forget. Events change very quickly. I was torn between who was the real villain and puppet master until almost the very end. The ending seemed hurried and thrown together, but I still enjoyed the read.
Thanks to Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for the early read.
Thanks to Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for the early read.
June 11, 2022
My first thought as I started reading The Guest List was this isn’t a book that is going to age well. A mother’s detachment towards a child for a wine stain birth mark felt over the top. But I under estimated the author. What follows is a decent mystery. Mallory and Abby are sisters but their mother pitted the older against the younger child. When their parents die an uncle and his new wife gets custody and adopts them. Unable to control Mallory’s behavior she is sent to an institutionalized school. Years later Mallory and Abby reconnect and secrets and lies come out. Abby has become a mystery writer and Mallory is her public face and research assistant. When Mallory convinces Abby to base her next book on their parents murder things start happening.
I enjoyed the pacing but wish the author could have kept some viable red herring suspects. It became obvious to me less than half way in who was behind everything. But at least it was something that I could see and figure out and not a last minute surprise that comes from no where. Fern Michael’s is a solid writer. Her writing style is a little old fashioned, no graphic love scenes or gore. This is a republishing of a book from 2000 and it held up better to time than I expected. Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed the pacing but wish the author could have kept some viable red herring suspects. It became obvious to me less than half way in who was behind everything. But at least it was something that I could see and figure out and not a last minute surprise that comes from no where. Fern Michael’s is a solid writer. Her writing style is a little old fashioned, no graphic love scenes or gore. This is a republishing of a book from 2000 and it held up better to time than I expected. Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 22, 2021
Had a book by the same title on my “to read” list. Picked this up not realizing it was a different book. Once I realized my mistake I kept going because I don’t like not finishing a book it f possible. However I should have ditched it…
Poor character development, very predictable plot, and completely unrealistic dialogue. Found myself over and over asking “who speaks like this??”…. Anyway, skimmed over the last 1/2 of the book just to get through it - a wasted few days.
Poor character development, very predictable plot, and completely unrealistic dialogue. Found myself over and over asking “who speaks like this??”…. Anyway, skimmed over the last 1/2 of the book just to get through it - a wasted few days.
February 8, 2011
I did really like this. I enoyed the characters, the mystery was good. It became too evident too early who was villainous, however, the main characters' doubt fueled my own.. that was good and so was the ending. pretty much just right.....liked that.
July 20, 2010
Predictable and repetitive. I finished it, but mostly just hoping that the ending would be a surprise. It wasn't.
September 3, 2022
Very confusing! Perspectives change mid paragraph, non consistent character traits, constant time skips that cause you to question timelines. It had a great idea was just poorly executed.
June 13, 2022
Fluffin' Puffin! 😳😯🤯🥹
Oh my flip flappin' chicken wings! I absolutely adored this! I happily hunkered down during a rainstorm today, with an iced coffee & my dog to dig into this comforting novel. This was such a great suspenseful mystery with an added bonus of a heart warming story mixed in that I loved! This was such a type of cozy comfort mystery for me and I adored it! Think chocolate cake with a mystery show!
Mყ 𝐒ყɴ𝐨ρѕιѕ: This novel takes place in the 80's & 90's, starting with two young sisters, Mallory and Abby. Mallory was older, prettier and self centred, while Abby was smart, sensitive and marked with a port-wine stain on half of her face. Tragedy struck their lives early when both their parents died and their Uncle Donovan & Aunt Carol took them in. However, as their stories unfold, as they grow, learn, go through ups and downs, and as the sisters grow close again after a hiatus of years apart; Abby's job and Mallory's suspicions will unearth something so sinister and heart-wrenching, it could cost both of them.
Even though I had it figured it out 3/4 of the way through, I absolutely fell in love with their characters, their journey and how it all unravelled. I enjoyed it so much. A mystery wrapped up in a warm hug! It was beautiful and poignant with an excellent added mystery. I always love reading Fern Michaels and this was no exception. When I need something lighter, but still with meat, she never lets me down!
Thank you to NetGalley & Kensington Books for this ARC.
Re-Release Date: July 26, 2022
𝐌𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐭: 4 / 5 Beach Waves! 🌊
Oh my flip flappin' chicken wings! I absolutely adored this! I happily hunkered down during a rainstorm today, with an iced coffee & my dog to dig into this comforting novel. This was such a great suspenseful mystery with an added bonus of a heart warming story mixed in that I loved! This was such a type of cozy comfort mystery for me and I adored it! Think chocolate cake with a mystery show!
Mყ 𝐒ყɴ𝐨ρѕιѕ: This novel takes place in the 80's & 90's, starting with two young sisters, Mallory and Abby. Mallory was older, prettier and self centred, while Abby was smart, sensitive and marked with a port-wine stain on half of her face. Tragedy struck their lives early when both their parents died and their Uncle Donovan & Aunt Carol took them in. However, as their stories unfold, as they grow, learn, go through ups and downs, and as the sisters grow close again after a hiatus of years apart; Abby's job and Mallory's suspicions will unearth something so sinister and heart-wrenching, it could cost both of them.
Even though I had it figured it out 3/4 of the way through, I absolutely fell in love with their characters, their journey and how it all unravelled. I enjoyed it so much. A mystery wrapped up in a warm hug! It was beautiful and poignant with an excellent added mystery. I always love reading Fern Michaels and this was no exception. When I need something lighter, but still with meat, she never lets me down!
Thank you to NetGalley & Kensington Books for this ARC.
Re-Release Date: July 26, 2022
𝐌𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐭: 4 / 5 Beach Waves! 🌊
January 12, 2022
I have read mini mini books by Fern Michaels. I have enjoyed many books by Fern Michaels. However, this Hass to be one of her top five! This book has everything. From the beginning of the book, you will find yourself addicted, hooked in! Suspense, excitement, romance, love, and much much more. This only scratches the surface. Two sisters, as children, torn apart. Torn apart by life circumstances! Torn apart by things they do not understand, and things that are out of their control. Two sisters, as adults, brought back together. Things have become so much more difficult. Their lives are on the line! You will not believe, why their lives are on the line, and who is behind at all!
August 4, 2018
Enjoyable, but very obvious who the murderer is midway through the book. It was a bit annoying that it took Abby and Mallory so long to figure it out.
February 13, 2021
Just when you think these characters couldn't get any dumber, they do. I won't be looking g for anymore if this author's books.
August 6, 2021
It was okay. Seemed to drag out. Not really want twists either. It did want to finish it though.
September 3, 2021
A book of forgiveness, mystery and murder.
November 1, 2019
Great story. Couldn’t put it down. Loved it.
March 26, 2020
I do not understand all the great reviews for this book. It was extremely predictable. Almost immediately it was very obvious who the villain was. Didn't really seem like a mystery at all. The characters were not developed at all. Also, Abby was supposedly a murder mystery writer and couldn't put two and two together!
March 26, 2011
It was an OK book. I knew who the killer was almost immediately. However, it was better than some of her Sisterhood books.
July 30, 2011
Loads of suspense. I knew about half way through who the killer was. It seemed obvious. The only thing that annoyed me about the girls was that they over looked who it really could be.
May 27, 2015
Romance/mystery novel with intense details and complex plots. The twists and turns were more obvious than some others but they lead the reader easily into the next turn before they twist again.
January 4, 2014
This was a very predictable story. I knew who the villain was early on in the story. I thought of putting the book down and walking away but I kept on as it was such an easy read.
December 6, 2014
Excellent up all night reading
Couldn't put this one down
Couldn't put this one down
April 5, 2022
This ARC was provided to me via Kindle, Kensington Books and by #NetGalley. Opinions expressed are completely my own.
An enjoyable book club or beach read for fans of the author and genre.
An enjoyable book club or beach read for fans of the author and genre.
July 23, 2022
Guest List, Fern Michaels, 7/16/2022
I haven’t read many books by this author. I immediately noticed that this was a re-publication from 20 years ago, which did not bother me in the least. The story takes place in 1976 in New Jersey, think rotary phones, vinyl records and 8-Track tapes, and smoking in restaurants.
This book encompasses many facets of life: heartbreak, romance, suspense, death, healing of scars, and revolving family drama. The book begins with very a sad nuclear family. The Mitchell Family consisted of John and Harriet and their two young daughters Abby and Mallory. Harriet doated on Mallory, who was the perfect little princess (like her mom in many ways). However, the way she treated Abby was horrific. She called her an ugly freak because she had a port wine stain covering half of her face. Harriet even rewarded Mallory for treating her sister badly. John was Abby’s advocate and savior.
The only extended family was brother-in-law Donovan, he and John were close friends who were married to sisters.
While the girls were still small, their mother and father died under suspicious circumstances, and Donovan became their guardian. He married Carol and they adopted the two children.
Carol could not deal with Mallory’s outbursts and had her placed in an institution. Abby then became the golden child and grew up well with her new family, which eventually included little brother Bobby.
As adults, Mallory and Abby reunited and became the sisters that they were meant to be. However, one by one, people close to the sisters began to die. It didn’t take long for them to become suspicious, and they began to try and put the mysterious pieces together. The closer they got to solving the mystery, the more danger they were in.
The story moved slowly at first, but as the characters were further developed and suspense was added, it picked right up. Overall, I enjoyed the book and will certainly read more of the author’s books. I received this advanced reader’s copy from Author Fern Michaels, Kensington Books, and NetGalley. This is a voluntary review. All comments and opinions are entirely my own.
I haven’t read many books by this author. I immediately noticed that this was a re-publication from 20 years ago, which did not bother me in the least. The story takes place in 1976 in New Jersey, think rotary phones, vinyl records and 8-Track tapes, and smoking in restaurants.
This book encompasses many facets of life: heartbreak, romance, suspense, death, healing of scars, and revolving family drama. The book begins with very a sad nuclear family. The Mitchell Family consisted of John and Harriet and their two young daughters Abby and Mallory. Harriet doated on Mallory, who was the perfect little princess (like her mom in many ways). However, the way she treated Abby was horrific. She called her an ugly freak because she had a port wine stain covering half of her face. Harriet even rewarded Mallory for treating her sister badly. John was Abby’s advocate and savior.
The only extended family was brother-in-law Donovan, he and John were close friends who were married to sisters.
While the girls were still small, their mother and father died under suspicious circumstances, and Donovan became their guardian. He married Carol and they adopted the two children.
Carol could not deal with Mallory’s outbursts and had her placed in an institution. Abby then became the golden child and grew up well with her new family, which eventually included little brother Bobby.
As adults, Mallory and Abby reunited and became the sisters that they were meant to be. However, one by one, people close to the sisters began to die. It didn’t take long for them to become suspicious, and they began to try and put the mysterious pieces together. The closer they got to solving the mystery, the more danger they were in.
The story moved slowly at first, but as the characters were further developed and suspense was added, it picked right up. Overall, I enjoyed the book and will certainly read more of the author’s books. I received this advanced reader’s copy from Author Fern Michaels, Kensington Books, and NetGalley. This is a voluntary review. All comments and opinions are entirely my own.
June 30, 2022
This cozy mystery was written over twenty years ago, thus the setting includes pay phones and smoking was still allowed in a restaurant. The story begins in 1976 New Jersey with John attempting to work up the courage to tell his perfect wife, Harriet, that their newborn baby girl isn't perfect. They already have daughter Mallory, who is beautiful and perfect, just like Harriet. Baby Abby was born with a large birthmark, a port-wine stain covering half her face.
It's kind of a Cinderella story, with one daughter a beautiful princess, the mean Mom, and the ugly, imperfect other daughter. Harriet is evil, self-centered and hateful to Abby. The descriptions of her treatment of Abby are vivid and painful to imagine. Her preferential treatment towards Mallory is unimaginable.
John and Donovan are best friends and brother-in-law's. They married sisters Harriet and Emma. Emma died in childbirth. Donovan tries to convince John to leave Harriet.
Then the unexpected mysterious deaths of John and Harriet leaves widower Donovan the girls guardian. He quickly marries an attractive acquaintance, Carol, accepts a job with his cousin and moves to Charleston, SC with the girls.
Carol turns out to be another controlling, manipulative woman who tells Donovan to either institutionalize Mallory or she's leaving him.
Mallory is packed off for psychiatric help to a special school in Atlanta, Argone. She's at Argone for many years until she's declared cured.
There is an equal amount of the story devoted to Abby. Her college days, career ambitions, best friend and boyfriends. It culminates with their reunion and further family drama. It was an easy read, but not very hard to figure out. There are very detailed descriptions and good character development.
Not really sure why the book is just now being released, but I have read and enjoyed this author before.
Thanks to NetGalley for the advance digital reader copy of "The Guest List " by Fern Michaels and to Kensington Books. These are my honest personal thoughts an opinions give voluntarily.
It's kind of a Cinderella story, with one daughter a beautiful princess, the mean Mom, and the ugly, imperfect other daughter. Harriet is evil, self-centered and hateful to Abby. The descriptions of her treatment of Abby are vivid and painful to imagine. Her preferential treatment towards Mallory is unimaginable.
John and Donovan are best friends and brother-in-law's. They married sisters Harriet and Emma. Emma died in childbirth. Donovan tries to convince John to leave Harriet.
Then the unexpected mysterious deaths of John and Harriet leaves widower Donovan the girls guardian. He quickly marries an attractive acquaintance, Carol, accepts a job with his cousin and moves to Charleston, SC with the girls.
Carol turns out to be another controlling, manipulative woman who tells Donovan to either institutionalize Mallory or she's leaving him.
Mallory is packed off for psychiatric help to a special school in Atlanta, Argone. She's at Argone for many years until she's declared cured.
There is an equal amount of the story devoted to Abby. Her college days, career ambitions, best friend and boyfriends. It culminates with their reunion and further family drama. It was an easy read, but not very hard to figure out. There are very detailed descriptions and good character development.
Not really sure why the book is just now being released, but I have read and enjoyed this author before.
Thanks to NetGalley for the advance digital reader copy of "The Guest List " by Fern Michaels and to Kensington Books. These are my honest personal thoughts an opinions give voluntarily.
July 3, 2022
I would like to thank Netgalley, Kensington Books and Fern Michaels for the E ARC of this book.
We meet two sisters Abby and Mallory Mitchell. Both have had tough lives but have both made the most of their opportunities to make a good life for themselves. At the beginning of the book both girls live with their patents but a double tragedy means they end up living with their father’s best friend Donovan and his new wife Carol. However, they are soon separated. Abby doesn’t forget about Mallory and vide versa, they are able to reunite after university, but things start to happen that make both ladies rethink things from the past.
I loved Abby, she was a very genuine character, who wanted to be loved for herself and always tried to see the best in others. I liked that she didn’t let her wine stain birthmark hold her back. Mallory, I felt sorry for, she was made by her mother to be nasty to Abby, because of her birthmark but that is not who she wanted to be. She was manipulated and damaged but with help she managed to become a nice lady that would do anything to protect her sister.
As Abby becomes a famous writer Mallory joins her and deals with all the PR and appearances. However, the idea for her next book comes from a suggestion by Mallory and this starts things happening to them both.
This was a well-paced book; it was a page turner as I kept wanting to know what happened next. I did work things out but that did not detract from the enjoyment. The characters were well developed and I found the situation they were in very believable.
This was my first Fern Michaels book and it won’t be my last.
We meet two sisters Abby and Mallory Mitchell. Both have had tough lives but have both made the most of their opportunities to make a good life for themselves. At the beginning of the book both girls live with their patents but a double tragedy means they end up living with their father’s best friend Donovan and his new wife Carol. However, they are soon separated. Abby doesn’t forget about Mallory and vide versa, they are able to reunite after university, but things start to happen that make both ladies rethink things from the past.
I loved Abby, she was a very genuine character, who wanted to be loved for herself and always tried to see the best in others. I liked that she didn’t let her wine stain birthmark hold her back. Mallory, I felt sorry for, she was made by her mother to be nasty to Abby, because of her birthmark but that is not who she wanted to be. She was manipulated and damaged but with help she managed to become a nice lady that would do anything to protect her sister.
As Abby becomes a famous writer Mallory joins her and deals with all the PR and appearances. However, the idea for her next book comes from a suggestion by Mallory and this starts things happening to them both.
This was a well-paced book; it was a page turner as I kept wanting to know what happened next. I did work things out but that did not detract from the enjoyment. The characters were well developed and I found the situation they were in very believable.
This was my first Fern Michaels book and it won’t be my last.
June 28, 2022
Suspense and thrills and plenty of red herrings in this book. In this delightful whodunit, what you think you know is not always what is true. In this book, Abby Mitchell has led a charmed life, adored by her adopted father Donovan and his wife, Carol, after the suspicious death of her parents in a tragic event. Against odds, she has blossomed at college, has a best friend, and there is a boy who loves her for who she is disregarding her facial disfigurement due to a birth mark. Abby has also become an accomplished author and is set to soar in the adult world. But then her older sister, Mallory, whom used to shame her terribly for her birth disfigurement had been cast away to an institution as a young child, returns to Abby's life. Mallory tries to make amends to Abby and seeks to reunite the loving sisters. Can Abby trust that Mallory is cured and changed for the better? Or does she believe her adoptive mother, Carol, who wants to keep Abby dependent on her, that Mallory is a bad seed not to be trusted. Soon, there is a murder or two of people close to Abby who all seem to die of the same ailment and she is conflicted whether someone she loves is connected or not. Abby and Mallory put themselves in danger as they try to figure out exactly how their parents died.
Well written, Fern Michels knows how to put out a suspenseful story. Although the sisters had it in mind who the murderer was, the reader is provided glimpses that would tell you otherwise. This was a page turner and the clues and red herrings had me continue reading and thinking, aha! Michels provides lots of clues and has you reflecting back to specific moments. It was fun to read to see if I was correct (I was) and you will enjoy the twist at the end. Grab this today for a cozy mystery.
Many thanks to #netgalley #fernmichaels #theguestlist for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Well written, Fern Michels knows how to put out a suspenseful story. Although the sisters had it in mind who the murderer was, the reader is provided glimpses that would tell you otherwise. This was a page turner and the clues and red herrings had me continue reading and thinking, aha! Michels provides lots of clues and has you reflecting back to specific moments. It was fun to read to see if I was correct (I was) and you will enjoy the twist at the end. Grab this today for a cozy mystery.
Many thanks to #netgalley #fernmichaels #theguestlist for the opportunity to read and review this book.
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