Before Summer Ends / A Little Bit Pregnant

by Susan Mallery

A long, hot summer with her secret crush...

What could possibly go wrong?

Nissa Lang knows Desmond Stilling is out of her league. He's a CEO, she's a teacher. He's gorgeous, she's...not. So when her house-sitting gig falls through and Desmond offers her a place to stay for the summer, she vows not to reveal how she's felt about him since their first--and only--kiss.

Desmond should've known better than to bring temptation into his house. He decided long ago that his best friend's sister was too sweet, too good, for him. She deserves a guy who can give his heart. For her sake, he's stayed away. But as her laughter breathes life into his lonely mansion, he's not sure how long he'll be able to resist.

With a bonus story, A Little Bit Pregnant , originally published in 2003!

After acting on her crush on her boss Zane Rankin, Nicki Beauman ends up pregnant! She's willing to make things work with Zane, but his tragic past makes it difficult for him to open up--and when his overbearing protectiveness threatens her independence, Nicki will have to make hard choices.

New York Times Bestselling Author

Genres: Romance, Audiobook, Fiction, Summer Reads

448 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published April 27, 2021

About the author

#1 New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery writes heartwarming and humorous novels about the relationships that define women's lives—family, friendship, romance. She's best known for putting nuanced characters into emotionally complex, real-life situations with twists that surprise readers to laughter. Because Susan is passionate about animal welfare, pets play a big role in her books. Beloved by millions of readers worldwide, her books have been translated into 28 languages.

Critics have dubbed Mallery "the new queen of romantic fiction." (Walmart) Booklist says, "Romance novels don't get much better than Mallery's expert blend of emotional nuance, humor, and superb storytelling," and RT Book Reviews puts her "in a class by herself!" It's no wonder that her books have spent more than 200 weeks on the USA Today bestsellers list.

Although Susan majored in Accounting, she never worked as an accountant because she was published straight out of college with two books the same month. Sixteen prolific years and seventy-four books later, she hit the New York Times bestsellers list for the first time with Accidentally Yours in 2008. She made many appearances in the Top 10 before (finally) hitting #1 in 2015 with Thrill Me, the twentieth book in her most popular series, the Fool's Gold romances, and the fourth of five books released that year.

Susan lives in Washington state with her husband, two ragdoll cats, and a small poodle with delusions of grandeur. Her heart for animals has led Susan to become an active supporter of the Seattle Humane Society. Visit Susan online at www.SusanMallery.com.

Reviews

[Chris Conley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Susan Mallery always manages to introduce me to people I would like to know. Nissa is no exception to that rule. This was a fun little bit of summer confection.

[Gale · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think the first thing I read, on the back blurb of the book, captures this whole book: “A Long, Hot Summer with Her Secret Crush… What could possibly go wrong?” To say I devoured this story would be an understatement. I read straight thru the evening until 1 AM as I couldn’t put it down. And those two short sentences were so prophetic…

Loved Nissa! She is a strong character who just…puts herself out there. She is an amazing daughter, sister, friend, all the time. Nissa comes across as honest and true, and that’s no cliché. Read the story to find out how she gets into the situation she is in, with her school girl-long crush, Desmond. Oh man, did I love him, too. The two of them are good, strong, deeply feeling characters and so obviously good for one another. Of course, they are the last to see it.

Even with the hide-and-seek of their feelings for one another, and their personal goals to keep it all in the friendship lane, these two are always there for one another. For Desmond, it is refreshing to have friends (especially Nissa) who don’t just see him as an ATM machine. I’m sure that can be devastating to your psyche. And you wanna talk characters to dislike? Be sure to pay special attention to Desmond’s parents – OMG. I hate to think people like that truly exist in this world.

It was such a wonderful, heart-warming read. Nissa and Desmond are great. I was rooting for them thru the entire book. Loved, loved, loved it!

[Jennifer Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before Summer Ends
5 Stars
I'm not very fast with reading ebooks so this one took me longer even though it was good. The author does a good job with creating a romantic atmosphere between friends Nissa and Desmond. I would like to see if Marisol has a story out there somewhere. She deserves some romance too!

A Little Bit Pregnant
3.5 Stars
Not one of Ms. Mallery's better books. I did not like the way Nicki treated Zane, especially after she learned everything. I'm not saying to give in to him, but she could've talked to him better. Contains some steamy scenes.

[Marie Christensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great stories….I would love to see a book about Marisol & her girls from Before Summer Ends. I was happy that Nicki & Zane finally got their act together ;)

[Nancy Lathrop · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two books in one. Great summer romances. Fun to read and quick to read

[Julia Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little bit silly, a little bit smutty - quality beach read!

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chick lit at its finest, a good summer read. I’m Susan Mallery’d out for now.

[Donna Kiely · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy upbeat reads!

[Kathleen Booker · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can never go wrong with a book by Susan Mallery. Would love to see this made into a series.

[Macy · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a really nice surprise to find this book as a part of the Audible plus series. Two people so different with such different families and life experiences and yet they compliment each other so much and bring out the best in each other. Fun, sweet, a little heat and a sweet HEA. A fun enjoyable listen with terrific narration.

[Becky Tatar · Rating 5 out of 5]

A return to Silhouette's monthly series for Susan Mallery. Nissa Lang is somewhat homeless for the summer, after her house sitting gig falls through, and she's already subletted her condo. Plus, she's helping a friend, with her daughters, while her friend waits for a kidney transplant. But longtime family friend Desmond Stilling comes through with an offer for Nissa to stay at his house - he's plenty of room. And more. A billionaire's house, with more rooms than he needs, a housekeeper who's almost a mother figure and not much else. A teacher and a billionaire. Can this work out, especially with Desmond's past? It's Susan Mallery. What do you think?

Nicki Beauman and Zane Rankin work for the same security agency, and Nicki has had a crush on Zane for a long time. Finally, after dancing around their attraction, they are together, and suddenly, there's a baby coming. But Zane has grief he's never come to terms with, and he's not ready for a family. Or is he?

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Before Summer Ends Nissa Lang is a school teacher and her summer house sitting job fell through.
Now she has already rented out her place and is homeless. When she told her situation to her brother he suggested she stay with his best friend Desmond Stilling. Desmond grew up with the Langs and has done extremely well for himself. In NIssa's eyes his house is more like a palace and only for one person!!! She has had a crush on him since he took her to her senior prom years ago. How will they maneuver around each other while living together?

In A Little Bit Pregnant Nicki Beauman works for Zane Rankin. They have become best friends and Nicki is hoping for more. She knows that Zane is not the settling down type and rarely dates anyone for more than a few weeks. Still she is not going to give up but feels best friends are better than nothing.

I loved both of these stories and didn't want either to end. Two great stories by Susan Mallery.

[June · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the first more, maybe because by the second story I had had enough of the stoic, unavailable male.

4 stars Before Summer Ends - School teacher, Nissa, is trying to earn extra money for an Italian vacation that she has wanted for over a decade. However, her house sitting job falls through and she has already rented out her condo. Her brother has just started a relationship so he tells her to stay with his best friend. Can Nissa survive the summer staying with her crush from high school?

3 stars A Little Bit Pregnant Nicki has a crush on her boss. He is someone who accepts her completely and doesn't seem phased at all by her wheelchair. After going as each others dates, when hers cancels last minute sparks fly. However, Zane doesn't do relationships and Nicki doesn't do affairs. When Nicki realizes she's pregnant Zane wants to get married, but Nicki wants love.

Rounded up because I liked the humor of the first.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have previously written a review for this book but mistakenly I placed it with the audio version. It was a good story but I am not sure there is anyone as nice as Desmond Stilling. He helped his best friend’s sister, he helped her best friend just because he wanted to help. He was wealthy and had always tried to give to charities and this was a way of seeing his money working. Unfortunately he had been taught that money and work was more important than love and marriage but as usual, he learned. Just like the Tin Man, he found his heart.



The second book was also a good story although it was one of her earlier books. Nicki Beauman worked for Zane Rankin and had quite a crush on him knowing he did not believe in relationships or marriage. A surprise pregnancy made quite a change in Zane and not for the better. Good story

[JoAnne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another lovely read that left me wanting more. The paperback edition I read had BEFORE SUMMER ENDS as well as the bonus story, A LITTLE BIT PREGNANT, that was originally published in 2003 and one that I hadn't read before. Both held my interest from the first page to the last.

BEFORE SUMMER ENDS is a feel good romance that has Nissa and Desmond front and center. They come from two different worlds but he's been best friends with her brother, Shane, since boarding school. Desmond comes from money and his mther is always instilling in him what he needs to do in the business world but especially when he marries since he didn't succeed the first time. An heir, and maybe a spare, is definitely needed!

[Brenda Rumsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book takes you on a journey of how love can win, even when a part of you tries to resist what you just know is meant to be. I enjoyed the characters right from the start and wanted to encourage them to "Wake up and take a chance!"...lol. A story with heart that involves friendship, children, courage, and a giving spirit. 5 stars all the way. Susan Mallery is an excellent story teller. I recommend this fantastic book that leaves you feeling good.

You also get a bonus story...A Little Bit Pregnant, also by Susan Mallery. Right from page one you are taken on an adventure of romance and discovery. Loved getting to know the characters and watch them find their destiny together.

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great summer read with a strong leading character-Nissa Lang. Nissa, a
teacher has rented out her condo for the summer while she takes a
Summer job housesitting which falls thru when the lady finds herself pregnant.
Nissan is forced to stay with her brother’s best friend and do temp work to
Save for her dream trip to Italy. This is a fast read with a good deal of family
Interaction. Nissa loves people and is kind,loving, and shows concern. You will
Not be able to put this book down- it is a page turner. Enjoy!

[Dorene Schmidt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was delightful to read and hard to put down. That doesn't surprise me about Susan Mallery's books. "Before Summer Ends" had a little bit of everything in it -- except murder, theft, and the usual over descriptive sex in her other books (thank goodness). The main male character, Desmond was charming, loving, caring, helpful, and not self-centered. The main female character, Nissa Lang, was the same. I really enjoyed their story.

[Natasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who uses a wheelchair I really liked A little Bit Pregnant. I found my self relating to her experiences in the hotel even though her abilities are slightly different than mine. A huge thank you to Susan Mallory for writing a relatable experience where one of the main characters uses a wheelchair and it was so nice to read especially the fact that Zane doesn’t see the wheelchair when he looks at her!

[Cara Dobrev · Rating 1 out of 5]

I needed a light read, palate cleanser and I can usually count on Mallery for that. Both of these books took the light too far. An incredibly obvious plot that she failed to support with meaningful character development, usually her strength, and a sudden, inconsistent realization by the hero that he's loved the heroine all along. Meh.

[Kellie Schull · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the random odd jobs part of the character’s storyline. And the friendship connection and commitment that was present in light of the illness - good emotional tugs at the heart outside of only the traditional romantic relationship side. I enjoyed the house renovation portion too, maybe a nice dream for our house! Haha... overall good read.

[Gerri · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked Nissa and Desmond from the beginning and of course wanted their HEA which they got. I also liked the storyline of Nissa's friend, Marisol and her daughters. Kids always add good to a storyline.

Nissa and Desmond's family also added a lot of good to this story. I recommend this light read.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Slow burn, friends to lovers, brothers best friend, millionaire tycoon and the teacher. Add in her loving family, her odd summer side jobs, a sick single friend with twins and his cold, distant parents and what do you get? A Susan Mallery romance of course!! Not much spice, but good characters. I felt I could be friends with them.

[Patricia Powers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another winner from Susan Mallory

Treat yourself to these two love stories, you won’t be disappointed. They are short, not necessarily sweet with enough heat and intrigue to keep you riveted. Enjoy.

[Linda Zelinsky · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful story about a young woman who needs a place to stay over the summer. She ends up staying with her very wealthy friend of her brothers. From there he discovers what it means to love and be truly loved. He comes to see what he is losing and vows to do something about it.

[Devon Stokes · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun and endearing quick read. Susan Mallery delivered yet another magical love story between friends. It also shows us what kindness is and a little bit of kindness goes a long way to making others happy. Yeah!

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

It wasn't the best read and fell flat for me. I think the don't have a heart theme irked me throughout. And while I likes the characters and their banter well enough I spent a lot of time.picking apart the plot holes and inconsistencies. Like how did he get a hotel room key so fast?!

[Holley · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF I barely made it through the first story of the poor little millionaire with evil parents and the poor female friend who shows him how to enjoy life. The characters were caricatures.
The second story starts with unprotected sex between coworkers. I gave up.

[Inna Watson · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read first novel. It was so vanilla, so blend, plain and boring! Omg I can’t believe I finished it. Not sure why it has such positive reviews. I was bored out of my mind, there is no chemistry, it’s so predictable 😑 I hope second surprise story will be interesting

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the first half the book/ the other half was pretty good as well. Both books are worth the read.. chuckled, laughed, cried and was a little frustrated with somethings that went on... in the end I enjoyed.