Tulips from Mal

by Gabriella Margo

Tulips from A warm, humorous and moving enemies-to-lovers romance 'A compelling story full of heart and soul. Be prepared to laugh, cry, and cheer on these two characters right until the very end. You will never forget them!' JENNIFER BARNAO Perfect for fans of Christina Lauren, Abby Jimenez and Emily Henry. She gets married. Then she meets the love of her life. Georgie de Luca is a tradeswoman who runs an all-female pool cleaning business in Sydney. Managing The Pool Chicks is challenging, but it's her dream. Surrounded by a supportive group of women and a well-to-do surgeon husband, Georgie's got everything she could ever want. Life is perfect. Or so she thinks. Every marriage has its ups and downs... but Georgie is beginning to see what's really beneath the surface of hers. When she meets her new neighbour, Drew, a Navy pilot from Perth, she avoids his cheeky grin and shirtless torso at all costs. But over time, as their friendship blossoms and Drew becomes her closest ally, she can't help but What if she has married the wrong man? And is her husband really the good guy he appears on paper? To Drew, Georgie is perfect - and he has fallen head over heels for her. Even his dog, Mal, adores her. When Georgie's husband is involved in an accident and Drew is deployed to the Middle East, she has some big decisions to make - and fast. Will she risk her integrity, and everything she has, to follow her heart? More importantly, is this the beginning or the end of Georgie's love story? A heart-warming contemporary romance, Tulips from Mal is about forgiveness, second chances ... and most importantly, love.

Genres: Romance

366 pages, Paperback

Published June 21, 2022

Reviews

[Suz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do not read a lot of romance, and I’m always very happy when it turns out to be a great choice. This was one a very easy and engaging read as instantly gelled with the characters. Set in Sydney, this was a relatable and realistic story with the unexpected and welcome addition of the MC being in the military. Drew is a Naval pilot and all-round nice guy. Georgie lives next door, running a company called the Pool Chicks, the perfect job of pool cleaning all around Sydney, unafraid to get her hands dirty.

These two are drawn to each other, but as Georgie is married, this is weaved in sensitively as they navigate the tension from both sides. Why is she always grumpy and mean? The ending seemed to be a little sudden to me, leaving me with one unanswered question – I wasn’t sure if I’d completely missed something along the way!

Georgie’s husband is not a good guy, his only redeeming quality being his work as a surgeon and volunteering his skills overseas pro bono, but that’s where the positives end. It raises the question as to how these two end up married in the first place, but we do see Georgie’s growth as the story progresses.

I enjoyed the letter aspect which featured, a refreshing bonus in this era of emails and texts messages, adding an extra layer to the growing emotions of those far away from the ones they love.

Drew’s dog is Mal is gorgeous, he’s the perfect match maker as Georgie unexpectedly embraces her neighbour’s fun-loving dog. This book comes with a trigger warning for animals which is almost It is hard to apply without spoilers – I read a review and knew straight away what the outcome was. So please don’t read this if you have sensitivities toward animals.

The banter and easy-going relationships between Georgie and Drew is contagious making for an easy flowing light hearted read. This does end neatly, welcomed by me as I read a lot of heavy nonfiction. This really hit the spot. As this is the author’s debut, I am interested to look further into Gabriella Margo’s further work as this was a well written and engaging read.

Many thanks to the author for my signed copy to read and review.

[Sarina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aussie Aussie Aussie, oi oi oi!!!
This is my first time reading an Australian book, and it was such a fun experience! It was also the first time I've read the married/cheating trope, but it was written in such an understanding and dare I say *tasteful* way?

I especially appreciated how this author was able to voice both the heroine and the hero. Often, a male perspective can throw me off when reading a romance, but it was so pleasant and enjoyable this time.

Thanks for a fun and heart-warming read, Gabriella Margo!

[Beccabeccabooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the moment Sydney pool cleaner/former chef Georgie met her new neighbour, she knew she'd have a BIG problem. Naval helicopter pilot Drew is not only friendly, kind, considerate and a bit flirty: he's also verrrryyyyy easy on the eye. Especially when he's shirtless 😉. The clincher? Drew is also rescue doggo Mal's human and it's not just the mutt who has heart eyes for the fiery Italian.

They're the loves of their lives. But.... Georgie's already married. Byron is a revered heart surgeon doing good in the world. He's also everything that Drew isn't. There's no doubt that Georgie is unhappy in her marriage. How can she be when she's underappreciated and unloved? Still, she made a commitment: meaning that those new, fluttering desires for Drew are a no go zone.

Despite all of this, Georgie and Drew strike up a close friendship. Then comes the unthinkable. Byron is injured overseas and Drew is sent on a six month deployment..

Where will Georgie's heart lead her?

Tulips From Mal was absolutely, completely wholesome. I found myself sitting up way beyond bedtime just to finish it. My only issue is that there wasn't an epilogue!

Why is Drew the perfect bookish boyfriend? Also, why is Byron and his brother utter pigs? Plus Mal and Pepper will always remain the most out of control and adorable doggos to exist. If I knew that the title was in honour of a dog, I'd probably have read this sooner. Nawwww. I'm here for matchmaking Mal. There's just something about a pet bringing two people together!

I'm left with a big smile upon my face because everything turned out as it should have. Despite a few tears along the way.

Can I give this a 11 out of 10 please? Goodreads ratings don't make sense sometimes.

[Ramune · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐🥹❤️

Vis pažvelgdavau į šią knygą ir pasirinkdavau kažką kitką klausyti. Ech..kad žinotume kas slepiasi puslapiuose prieš paimdami knygą į rankas.. Būčiau žinojusi, kad taip įtrauks istorija, bučiau čiupusi ją ankščiau..❤️

O ši istorija nukelė mane į Australiją.. Saulė, vandenynas, paplūdimiai, ir du žmonės, nežinantys, kad jų pažintis netrukus taps lemptinga. ❤️

Ji gyvena nusistovėjusį (sakytum tobulą) šeimyninį gyvenimą. Jis - viengungis, kuris su savo šunimi Mal atsikrausto į naujus namus.
Vieną dieną, ji tiesiog nukrenta nuo tvoros į jo kiemą ir elgiasi lyg niekur nieko, dar ir "duoda velnių" jam. Pirma naujųjų kaimynų pažintis nebuvo maloni, tačiau netrukus jų pasauliai apsiverčia aukštyn kojomis.

Užkabino ši knyga mane nuo pirmų puslapių ir nepaleido iki paskutinių minučių. ✨
Uždrausti jausmai, ryškūs ir spalvingi veikėjai, o dar ir padūkęs šuo veiksmų sukuryje.. Daug visko čia buvo, ir meilės, ir netekčių ir širdį draskančių liūdesio akimirkų. Nėra tai visiškai saldi istorija, tačiau romantikos ir žavių akimirkų tikrai čia rasite. ❤️
Labai patiko, nuoširdžiai rekomenduoju. 🥹
Ši knyga privers ir nusijuokti, bet ir pykti ant veikėjų ir likimo mestų netikėtumų. Tačiau, tuo pačiu patikėti, kad viskam savas laikas, kad viskas bus gerai.❤️

[Chloe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was very lucky to win the debut novel from Gabriella Margo herself - its my first signed book in my personal collection 🥰.

Georgie is married, runs an all female pool cleaning business and has everything she wants in life.

Then handsome Drew moves in next door, and she realises her perfect life has cracks beneath the surface. Over time, her friendship with Drew blossoms and even his dog wins her over.

Georgie finds herself wondering ... has she married the wrong man?

This one was a sweet story set in Sydney Australia. I loved the Aussie touches! I found myself with a grin on my face a lot of the way through, and then a twist made me cry. Emotional roller-coaster!

I loved the dog Mal (I'm totally a sucker for dogs in books 🥰).

⚘ Enemies to lovers
⚘ Slow burn
⚘ Humour
⚘ Cute dogs
💔 Cheating
💔 Death of a pet

[Abby Boss · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this on audio. Great story of neighbors who become friends around a dog. Lots of sadness but a lovely ending. Drew was a great character.

[Lillian Lumley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tulips from Mal was a delightful read! This forbidden love story is written from both the perspective of Georgie and Drew and whilst a sweet story, it also delves into more serious issues such as loss and guilt. I devoured this book in days.

[banana · Rating 1 out of 5]

Absolutely HORRIBLE book. I didn’t even finish. And I never ever dnf books.

*Warning spoilers*

I fully believe in the sanctity of marriage and to actually write a book about a cheating spouse is disgusting, distasteful, and truly the “author” needs therapy. I truly hope this writer is not married because if they are, their spouse should be very concerned.

I don’t care how awful your spouse is, you don’t cheat, you leave them and then move on once the divorce is final. But to emotionally and then build it up to physically cheating on your spouse is NOT OK. I read someplace that the husband ends up dying in the book. But I had already stopped reading long before that point and I still disagree with cheating emotionally or physical.

This writer tried so hard to make the husband seem awful to try and justify the wife cheating. And was he great, no. But he in no way deserves to be cheated on. I didn’t finish the book so I have no idea of the husband also cheated but it wouldn’t matter, nobody deserves to be cheated on. In reality the wife is wayyyyyy worse then the husband no matter how hard the write tried to justify the character.

Overall none of the human characters are good at all. Not one of them.
The only character that was good was the sweet dog, Mel, and the author (if you can even give this person that title) had the audacity to kill him off. I mean it’s truly sick.

I do NOT understand how this has more than 1 star. This book shouldn’t even have A star. If I could give it a negative million starts I would. Horrible horrible book.

[Michele (michelethebookdragon) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book made me laugh, it made me cry and it made me swoon and blush a little 🤭

I must say that romance is not my genre (I have a bit of a black heart 🖤) but it was genuinely taken in by these characters. I loved the banter and the flirting. I loved the build up of the tension between our leads, Georgie and Drew.

Georgie is married to Byron when sexy single Drew moves in next door. For Drew there is an instant attraction and while Georgie can acknowledge that Drew is more than handsome and seems like such a good guy, she stays her distance emotionally.

There is someone that inadvertently brings these two closer - Mal. Mal is very sweet with beautiful blue eyes. And a glossy coat and four paws. Drew's dog Mal acts like cupid and Georgie starts to see a different life she could have if she was with Drew.

When the unthinkable happens and both Drew and Georgie's lives are upended what will happen to their blossoming romance?

This was a story with heart and soul and I found that I was invested in their story and I wanted that happy ever after to happen so much. You'll have to read it to find out if it did.......

[Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

Georgie has a new neighbor, Drew, that drives her crazy. She goes over to him one day to tell him off and ends up making a fool of herself, which turns into somewhat of a friendship between them. Drew has a dog named Mal and asks Georgie if she can watch him while he’s gone for work. They keep hanging out as friends but develop feelings for each other - that aren’t acted on right away because Georgie is married (to a truly terrible guy).

I have such mixed feelings on this 😫
things I liked - Drew, as a whole. How it’s set in Australia (and the voice actors are Australian!). Mal the big floofy pup. The chemistry between Georgie and Drew. Friends to lovers.

What I didn’t like - cheating 🥴 as big of an asshole as her husband was (and you really find out how terrible he is) I just feel like we could’ve avoided the cheating. A bit of miscommunication. Some of the plot didn’t seem fleshed out enough so it felt a bit jumpy. The ending was SUPER abrupt with no epilogue.

Overall, I did like the story, it was funny and cute and a great debut!!

[Kacy Leal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I’ve read a lot of books from characters from far away lands and countries I have yet to visit, but there was something so delightful about how quintessentially Australian this was. Margo gave voice to some great characters who I would love to meet, and have a beer with, and a love story that was all the more powerful because it wasn’t easy. Love often comes with overcoming huge obstacles and isn’t always easy to know when you’re making the right decision and I really enjoyed being invested in their story and being along for that journey. If you are after a great romance that has the chemistry, the warmth and some laughs this is a perfect read for a weekend away.

[Belle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great debut from Gabriella Margo! This was a little unconventional as far as the genre goes (set in Australia with a married female protagonist) but I found that actually kept me more engaged.

Set in Sydney, Georgie is married to a surgeon who, on paper, seems wonderful, but in reality is manipulative and dismissive. A trained Italian chef (foodies will love this book!), she now works with a great team of friends who clean pools. Her new next door neighbours are Drew and his delightful dog Mal. This is a fun tale of how neighbours can grow close with a little help from furry friends.

As someone who live in Sydney, loves dogs and loves food - this was gold!

[Victoria Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an absolutely charming romance novel set in Sydney. I fell in love with the main character Drew from the get go. The chemistry between Drew and Georgie was electric. There were moments of silly humour, great sadness, moments of passion and heartbreak. It was a wonderful roller coaster. The story will stay with me for some time. I demolished this book and it left me wanting more from these two characters.

[Danielle Tierney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and couldn’t put it down! And when I did, I found myself thinking of the characters long after. This book had me laughing out loud and in tears in the matter of pages. I loved Georgie and Drew and was truly sad for the book to end! I can’t wait to read more from Gabriella Margo!

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

You had me captured from page 1. I didn’t want to stop reading as I felt the characters grow on me very quickly. Loved the fact I could relate to the themes as well as the mentioned suburbs of Sydney.
Wonderful read of the highs and lows of romance.
Thank you Gabriella Margo, I look forward to the next book! Cheers

[Carrie Clarke · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a roller coaster! This book is not short on heartbreak, and is full of sliding-door moments right up until the very last, keeping you guessing about how - and even if -Drew and Georgie's story is going to work out.
And can I just say, Drew should for sure make it onto a list of best book boyfriends!

[Joslyn Kuliana · Rating 4 out of 5]

She gets married.. Then she meets the love of her life.

Georgie de Luca co-runs an all female pool cleaning business in Sydney. Managing The Pool Chicks is challenging, but she loves it. Between that and her surgeon husband, Georgie's got everything she could want, or so everyone thinks. Every marriage has its ups and downs... but Georgie is beginning to clearly see hers. When a new neighbor, Drew, a Navy pilot from Perth moves in next door, she tries to avoid his cheeky grin and shirtless torso. But over time, their friendship blossoms and Drew becomes her closest confidant. Soon Georgie can't help but wonder: What if she has married the wrong man?

Okay, I will admit, this book sat in my TBR pile for far too long, AND IT DID NOT DESERVE THAT. From jump this book had me hooked. It was told from the POV of both Georgie and Drew, which I loved. I felt for Georgie, she was really going through it with her marriage. Drew, there was nothing not to like about Drew, he was a great book boyfriend. AND ONE OF THE MAIN CHARACTER'S WAS DREW'S DOG MAL. I will be honest with you, had I realized that the book was named for a beloved canine companion, I would have read it instantly.

The book was well written, and it had twists that I was not expecting. This was not just a cheesy romance novel, the book had depth.

[Amanda Freeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great to read a romance novel set in Sydney. I was hocked and could not put the book down! A light read that allowed complete escapism. Full of love, laughter, drama, tears and everything in between. Will definitely read the authors next book.

[Kate B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed the pace and suspense of this book. A real page turner that holds your hand through some turbulent ups and downs. Readers be prepared for some heart fluttering and tear jerking.
Great debut Gabi!!

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

I honestly love the book. The characters made me appreciate dogs more than ever. I cried after reading those letters from drew. I so love this book. Hope to visit Australia soon and read more books from her 😍

[Hana Yue · Rating 5 out of 5]

This romance book was such a delight. I got excitement towards the end of the book and genuinely didn't want it to end. It was beautifully written and I adored the use of language and incredible imagery while also having an epic storyline that just kept delivering.

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book to help me wind down at the end of a busy day. I would look forward to going to bed to read a chapter or two, an easy read with a good balance of detail and plot twists to keep it interesting. Thank you for getting me back jnto romance novels!

[Kylie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

[Meaghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s a light hearted, easy read and I could not put this book down! Highly recommend.

[Sue Crellin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't usually read romance novels but this was a gift. Have to admit it was a breath of fresh air. I thoroughly enjoyed it and look forward to more from this new author.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic and easy read. I was engrossed in the characters/storyline and it left me wanting to keep reading to find out what happened next.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

TFM was a great read with plenty of laughs, some heartbreak and strong female lead. It’s a page turning story that kept me entertained from start to finish.

[Emma Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Looked forward to each breastfeed so I could read again!! Thanks Gabi! Can’t wait for more.

[Brooke Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a charming, moving, beautiful read from a natural writer. A fresh and original romcom with pathos and heart. Just read it!

[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute Aussie RomCom.