This was my first Susan Mallery book, and I liked it. I see that a lot of her fans were disappointed with this book, so i look forward to reading the books people did like.

I like her writing style, and her light humor throughout. The book was cute. The second book, Sweet Spot, was my favorite.

I liked Claire and Wyatt's relationship for the most part. I especially liked Wyatt's daughter Amy. I wasn't a huge fan of Claire though. I know most people on here didn't like Nicole because she was such a biddy- but I didn't mind her. I know real people like her. It's people like Claire that don't exist. Her character was too perfect, or maybe I should say "sweet." But it was still a cute book. I liked it enough to buy the next two books in the series.

This is my first Susan Mallery, probably because I have made a practice of avoiding Harlequins since my late twenties. I can see that they have changed quite a bit, and for the better.

Now, in regard to this book about the Keyes sisters, specifically, Claire Keyes. She was a child prodigy whose parents chose to develop her genius to its fullest extent. Whether they did so for personal reasons or not was not fully discussed. What was apparent to me was that this was a fully dysfunctional family from my perspective. The mother was unhappy being a mother, and left her oldest child at home to take over her own responsibilities, leaving a bitter and ill-used Nicole behind. Claire was like a sparkling show-horse for years, without a real life, and decided to come home to help her sister because she had just had enough.

Like a child learning her first steps, she learns to live life like a normal person, and not a celebrity. The fact that her sister hates her, whether fair, rational, or not, doesn't stop Claire from becoming a better rounded person. She falls in love with the first good, honest man to give her attention, and her life changes for the better.

As for Nicole, whom everyone seems to hate for her rigid rejection of her baby sister and unwillingness to forgive, I think she had a point about Jesse. I think the author could have made it better by making her more likeable, but the truth is, Nicole was the lynchpin for her family from the time she was six years old, and no one has the right to beat up on her for being the person she became. Her parents, who used her, her baby sister, who used and abused her, her sister Claire, who loved her but from a distance. Jesse was still unwilling or unable to admit her fault, and her weak excuse for why she climbed into bed with Nicole's husband didn't hold water. It's kind of like that joke about the man slipping on the floor and ending up with his p**** you know where. Nicole wanted a simple admission of wrong and a sincere apology, but all she got from Jesse was weak excuses and accusations.

On the other hand, Nicole's rabid anger at her sister Claire's absence from her life was unfair, in that Claire's absence wasn't her choice, and a rational Nicole would have admitted that much sooner. None of them dealt with their parent's huge blame for their situation, but all blamed themselves for their parent's choices, which ended up hurting each sister terribly.

That Claire was able to make a true emotional and binding connection with Wyatt was a plus. I find that I like Mallery's ability to draw characters with whom I can relate, or with whom I respond strongly. They are not milk and water people for the most part, and sometimes too much in one direction, but that is what has made this series interesting to read. I have actually already read the second in the series, and so far, I like both, and do like both Claire and Nicole. Yes, Nicole is a hard woman, but she is likeable if somewhat neurotic in the case of Jesse. I think you will like her better in her own story.

As a longtime Susan Mallery fan it pains me to say this, but this book was atrocious. I was clapping my hands with glee at the introduction of not one but THREE new Mallery novels, and best of all, a series. However, after forcing myself to finish just the FIRST book, I am not about to endure more of this literary letdown. The three sisters were so completely annoying and unlikeable. Nicole for starters, was a whiny, self pitying, DRAMA QUEEN with a galatic sized bitchy streak. WAH this, WAH that. To wish your own sister dead is inexcusable under ANY circumstances. Claire was just annoying. So she learned to make a meatloaf and we're supposed to cheer her foray into the outer fringes of rocket science? Puhleeze! If she wasn't portrayed as a world famous concert pianist I would think she was a bit simpleton. Nothing wrong with a 28 year old virgin, but her "responses" to the whole interlude had me thinking she had the mentality of a child. I mean, who acts like that in everyday reality? Even her panic attacks seemed utterly ridiculous. As a woman who realistically suffers from them, I find it hard to believe that "pretending" to endure them will actually "cause" them. Jesse was a liar and a tramp. I couldn't begrudge Nicole that much for kicking her to the curb. Anyone who would crawl in bed with her sister's husband is pure scum. And all she could offer up in the way of an excuse was to play the victim much like the sister she stabbed in the back. The supporting cast of characters were judgemental jacka##es who bought into one woman's nasty, barb slinging bouts of self pity and were ready to lynch Claire sight unseen. Would you take the side of someone who thinks nothing of airing her dirty laundry for the world to hear? I wouldn't want to associate with someone so tacky and classless. And to hear Knight Wyatt, in an alternate universe where she wasn't like a 'sister' to him, she would have been his dream woman. SAY WHAT?! Only in the land of make believe perhaps is a woman like that appealing. All in all, the opening story was just one colossal mess imo. I almost feel the need to apologize for shredding the work of an author I adore as much as Susan Mallery. Emphasis on the 'almost'. This book was nowhere NEAR the caliber of which I have always admired her for.

As a longtime Susan Mallery fan it pains me to say this, but this book was atrocious. I was clapping my hands with glee at the introduction of not one but THREE new Mallery novels, and best of all, a series. However, after forcing myself to finish just the FIRST book, I am not about to endure more of this literary crud. The three sisters were so completely annoying and unlikeable. Nicole for starters, was a whiny, self pitying, DRAMA QUEEN with a galatic sized bitchy streak. WAH this, WAH that. To wish your own sister dead is unforgivable. Claire was just annoying. So she learned to make a meatloaf and we're supposed to cheer her foray into the outer fringes of rocket science? Puhleeze! If she wasn't portrayed as a world famous concert pianist I would think she was a bit simpleton. Even her panic attacks seemed utterly ridiculous. As a woman who realistically suffers from them, I find it hard to believe that "pretending" to endure them will actually "cause" them. Jesse was a liar and a slut. I couldn't begrudge Nicole that much for kicking her to the curb. Anyone who would crawl in bed with her sister's husband is pure scum. And the supporting cast of characters were judgemental jacka##es who bought into one woman's nasty, barb slinging bouts of self pity and were ready to lynch Claire sight unseen. Would you take the side of someone who thinks nothing of airing her dirty laundry for the world to hear? I wouldn't want to associate with someone so tacky and classless. All in all, the opening story was just one colossal mess imo. I cringe to see an author I respect as much as Susan Mallery put her name to something so "unappetizing".

Child prodigy turned world renowned pianist Claire Keyes receives a distressing call from her estranged sister Jesse advising that her twin Nicole needs her assistance after surgery. Claire hasn't talked with either sister for years, but a bout with panic attacks and a chance at reconciliation has her packing her bags and heading to Seattle. As a young child, she was plucked from the comfort of her family to perform in concerts all over the world. When she was 12, her mother joined her on the road, and Nicole has never forgiven Claire for taking their mother from them - especially when their mother dies in a car accident when they are 16. Despite attempts at reconciliation, Nicole has rebuffed her for years.

No one is more surprised than Nicole when Claire arrives to take care of her and won't take no for an answer. Nicole is also nursing a broken heart after catching her soon-to-be-ex-husband in bed with youngest sister Jesse. Nicole's best friend Wyatt instantly takes a dislike to Claire due to all the nasty stories he has heard about her. But soon his attitude changes as he gets to know Claire and starts to desire her. Thinking that they will just have a quick physical relationship, he is not prepared for the depth of his feelings, particularly her relationship with his deaf daughter, Amy. Will Nicole and Claire be able to bury the hatchet and forgive each other? Will Wyatt be able to give his heart to another after being trampled by his ex-wife?

Mallery's first foray in the Keyes sister trilogy is a sweet tale. While so many authors opt to have a virginal heroine, none have handled a heroine's introduction into womanhood (I can't think of any other way to put it) as sensitively and realistically as Mallery does with Claire. Her enthusiasm and cluelessness as to what she is experiencing (and Wyatt's bewilderment) are at times funny and bittersweet. I also like how Claire was forced out of her comfort zone - where even a simple load of laundry or cooking a meatloaf is foreign to her.

The only real problem I had with the novel is the character of Nicole. She's completely nasty throughout 90% of the book (to both Claire and Jesse). While Claire grew as a person, Nicole remained pretty much the same (in fact, I couldn't even recall when the two reconciled - it left that little an impression on me). It makes me wonder how Mallery will redeem her character enough for me to care about her own story. I also hate the unexpected pregnancy plotline as it has been done so many times that it has become pretty trite.

© Tracy Vest, September 2008

Child prodigy turned world renowned pianist Claire Keyes receives a distressing call from her estranged sister Jesse advising that her twin Nicole needs her assistance after surgery. Claire hasn't talked with either sister for years, but a bout with panic attacks and a chance at reconciliation has her packing her bags and heading to Seattle. As a young child, she was plucked from the comfort of her family to perform in concerts all over the world. When she was 12, her mother joined her on the road, and Nicole has never forgiven Claire for taking their mother from them - especially when their mother dies in a car accident when they are 16. Despite attempts at reconciliation, Nicole has rebuffed her for years.

No one is more surprised than Nicole when Claire arrives to take care of her and won't take no for an answer. Nicole is also nursing a broken heart after catching her soon-to-be-ex-husband in bed with youngest sister Jesse. Nicole's best friend Wyatt instantly takes a dislike to Claire due to all the nasty stories he has heard about her. But soon his attitude changes as he gets to know Claire and starts to desire her. Thinking that they will just have a quick physical relationship, he is not prepared for the depth of his feelings, particularly her relationship with his deaf daughter, Amy. Will Nicole and Claire be able to bury the hatchet and forgive each other? Will Wyatt be able to give his heart to another after being trampled by his ex-wife?

Mallery's first foray in the Keyes sister trilogy is a sweet tale. While so many authors opt to have a virginal heroine, none have handled a heroine's introduction into womanhood (I can't think of any other way to put it) as sensitively and realistically as Mallery does with Claire. Her enthusiasm and cluelessness as to what she is experiencing (and Wyatt's bewilderment) are at times funny and bittersweet. I also like how Claire was forced out of her comfort zone - where even a simple load of laundry or cooking a meatloaf is foreign to her.

The only real problem I had with the novel is the character of Nicole. She's completely nasty throughout 90% of the book (to both Claire and Jesse). While Claire grew as a person, Nicole remained pretty much the same (in fact, I couldn't even recall when the two reconciled - it left that little an impression on me). It makes me wonder how Mallery will redeem her character enough for me to care about her own story. I also hate the unexpected pregnancy plotline as it has been done so many times that it has become pretty trite.

I'm not going to provide a summary of the book, there are plenty already posted, so I'm just going straight for my opinion of the book.

I thought the relationship between Claire, Nicole & Jesse was definitely realistic. There was a lot of animosity between all of them and each one thought they knew about the other's life/feelings. Boy, were they all wrong! I thoroughly enjoyed the fact that just because one said the words "I'm sorry" it didn't make the other one instantly forgive. With years of hurt and perceived betrayal, there is/was a lot to work through.

As for the romance between Claire & Wyatt - it was good. Not completely hot & sizzling (like I felt with Nicole & Hawk), but it worked. I admit there were points in the book where Claire's naiveness drove me insane! But, I guess when you have lived a sheltered life, that can happen.

No matter what though, I enjoyed the book and loved the series with the Keyes sisters. I'm sorry we won't be reading anymore about them.

I should premise this review by saying that as a child, I trained toward the goal of concert pianist. Certainly not a child prodigy like our heroine, Claire, but I delved into that life enough that I understand the world she was thrown into at such a young age.

I found Claire's sweetness, the naivete and willingness to be knocked down over and over again in order to regain some semblance of relationship to her sisters VERY believable. Claire has existed in such a small world, the tentative connections she has with her sisters become so much more important to re-establish. Claire is determined to build herself a normal life, to be a normal person... and when she comes home, she's thrown into what I would say is prime sibling warfare. :)

Claire, Nicole and Jessie were sisters in every sense of the word. Bratty at times, unlikable at times, lovable at others, but eventually Claire and Nicole find a way to recognize their own pain in each other and learn that they weren't the only ones hurting. There is no bond quite like that of a sibling, and Susan Mallery is the master at showing the funny and not-so-funny sides of sibling rivalry.

As for the romance... Claire came home with a To Do list of things she wanted to do and experience, and fall in love was one of them. Nicole's close friend, Wyatt is everything she's never had...and Claire is an instant, somewhat unwanted attraction on his part. As Claire slowly builds a normal life for herself, Wyatt becomes a deeper part of that. Their love story is sweet, romantic and enjoyable.

I'm very much looking forward to the other two books in this series.

While this isn't the worst book I've read, it certainly wasn't very good. It was well written and that's about it.

I liked Claire and found her to be sympathetic and sweet. I also like that she overcame several challenges, like teaching herself how to cook, shop and wash laundry, without coming off as a complete idiot. It was cute and I felt sorry that she was stuck with Nicole as a sister.

I hated Nicole. She was a bitch. Her sister, whom she has never said anything nice about, came home to take care of her following a gallbladder surgery and she was not remotely grateful. Nicole was nasty, hostile and down right mean.

I never felt that she and Claire ever made up. How can you make up with someone who wishes you dead? And when they did, Claire and Nicole ganged up on Jesse (the third and youngest sister) for sleeping with Nicole's husband. I feel bad for the husband and wish he and Jesse ever happiness. No one should have to be stuck with Nicole for a wife. She's horrid.

I also never got the romance part of this book. Wyatt and Claire had nothing in common. I was never rooting for them to be together and their relationship added nothing to the story. I was reading more to see if Claire and Nicole would patch things up in a satisfying way. (They didn't.) To be honest, I could have cared less about Claire and Wyatt as a couple.

While I am interested in Jesse's story, I could care less about Nicole. However, since I have all the books in the series, I'll probably end up reading them and hoping for the best.

The sisters in this book are so unrealistic,I cannot understand why any one would tolerate being treated so badly. I have read most of this authors books and enjoy a strong personality but the way Nicole treats Claire and Jesse is cruel and I was unconfortable through most of the book. I was looking forward to the third book where Jesse returns but if she is treated as badly as Claire (and the teaser leads us in that direction)I don't know if I will buy it.

Claire, a concert pianist renowned for being a child protigy, drops everything to fly home when her (long estranged and bitchy) sister Nicole is having surgery and unable to manage their family bakery.

Wyatt is Nicole's long time friend and the brother of her soon-to-be ex-husband. With a daughter and a family history of picking the wrong girl, he wants no part of a relationship. But of course there are sparks.

I noticed this book at a friend's house and read the first hundred pages while waiting on her. They were pretty well written and definitely drew me in so I bought the book upon returning home. Huge mistake.

Claire is a bit too perfect and sweet and INNOCENT (at twenty-eight). Her sisters are dysfunctional, predictable and very repetitive. At first I thought that the book was pretty good if you skipped over every time they opened their mouth but the book just got worse as you moved on.

Wyatt's daughter doesn't actually seem like a real character to me. Some called her one-dimensional and others just said she was a puppet for Mallery to say all the things she didn't know how to communicate to us. I don't know; she just wasn't realistic I think.

If you like Mallery and are thinking of ignoring my advice NOT to buy this book then just look at the bar graph. It can't be good when more reviewers gave it 1 star than 5.

"Sweet Talk" by Susan Mallery had me hooked on this trilogy before I found out the other two were going to come out soon afterward. I don't know why some of these reviews I've been reading from ya'll are so harsh on Susan Mallery for her portral of the Keyes' sisters relationship. I found the dynamic and intense relationships carried so much more feeling across to the reader than normal wishy-washy attempts by other authors. The Keyes sisters evolved during this novel in a very real way which showed that personal prejudices and opinions that people have are not always so easily changed. The fact that Nicole did not just accept her sisters' apologies so easily exposed the hurt and betrayed person inside of her in an agonizing way to the reader---mostly because it was so true to real life situations and events that happen. Family relationships (like the ones that Susan Mallery weaves in all her novels) are not always so simple and people who are hurt deeply are not always able to forgive. Claire Keyes' character impressed me with her strength of spirit and her wonderful wealth of kindness. This novel was a challenge to read because I felt the pain and hurt Claire felt, but it was also a joy because I was able to feel her reconnect with Nicole in only a way that sisters can....two thumbs up Susan Mallery!

The call to come home to help her twin sister during her recovery from surgery was a godsend for Claire Kent, but at the same time, a fearful thing. She has spoken to no one in her family for years, having been made an exiles thanks to a failure in communications. But, she does not hesitate to answer the call, even though running a bakery is something far removed from her life as a concert pianist. For various reasons, time away from her career is exactly what Claire needs. Every day back at home proves to be a challenge as she confronts Nichole's long held resentment. There are bright moments as well as Claire discovers new talents and new love as well as faces fears and seeks to heal the broken ties with her sister. However, Nichole is not one to let go of betrayal, and that leads to ugliness that Claire could not have anticipated.

*** Heartwarming and touching, this story gives readers a real treat for their summer perusal. Family and forgiveness are powerful elements that Ms. Mallory has used well here. ***

Amanda Killgore

This was such a poor effort by a normally really fun author. The characters were all totally unlikeable people who were verbally abusive and did unforgiveable things to their family members, but even more incredible was the nasty behavior of strangers toward our "heroine"--it's just not likely the employees or customers of a bakery would be so vicious upon seeing someone for the first time. Further, it's hard to believe she would make any attempt with her sisters after the years of neglect and disparagement, but after the constant put-downs and really ugly statements, any normal person would have headed for the hills. The love story was also without any basis in reality because the "hero" was such a jerk. All in all, I was sorry to see Susan Mallery's name on this garbage.

Susan Mallery has done it again. I love her new Sweet trilogy!

Sweet Talk introduces us to the 3 sisters and some of the secondary characters.

Claire Keyes is our heroine and she is so sweet! Claire is a world famous concert pianist and has been all over the world playing her music. She was a child prodigy, at 3 she picked out a tune after seeing and hearing her first piano, at 6 she and her grandmother were sent to New York City so she could study under the greats. Now at 28 she has come home to Seattle to take care of her fraternal twin after extensive gall bladder surgery. She was called by her younger sister, Jesse, who said she was unable to take care of Nicole and she needed to be taken care of.

Claire hasn't been home since her father died some years earlier. At the time Nicole and Jesse said they didn't need or want her around! So the call from Jesse was a surprise but a good one.

Her twin, Nicole, is under the impression that Claire is a spoiled and needy woman and is so surprised to see her there ready to take care of her and the bakery that has been in the family since their grandparents opened it years before. Nicole is a real witch with a B, most of the time but Claire has decided that now is the time to be a family and she wants to show Nicole that she cares and wants a relationship with her and Jesse.

Claire has a to-do list included in it is "fall in love" as she's never had a boyfriend--no time for one! She didn't mean to fall in love with Wyatt, Nicole's good friend, but she did. What a relationship they have!! Wyatt has an 8 y.o. daughter that Claire falls in love with too!

Good book as we watch the characters, the sisters, grow and learn to love each other again.

Claire Keyes has spent her life in a stark, cold spotlight. Sent away as a small child to perform, at twenty-eight Claire is a piano prodigy that has become estranged from her family and has no friends. Forget having a boyfriend!

When Claire's twin sister, Nicole, becomes ill, she returns home to care for Nicole and renew her relationship with her family. Claire also hopes to find love. The gorgeous Wyatt is exactly what Claire is looking for in a romance. Claire makes Wyatt's blood sizzle and want things that he never thought he could have.

I adore Susan Mallery's heroines and heroes. They feel like old friends. Amusing, heartfelt and wildly romantic, Sweet Talk is the perfect romance. Susan Mallery always delivers exceptional romance and does so again with Sweet Talk!

Annmarie
reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

The Keyes sisters are estranged from one another or at least with Claire since their dad's funeral several years ago. However, Jesse calls her sibling renowned pianist Claire to tell her Nicole is undergoing gallbladder surgery and will need help since she will be recuperating for six weeks and her bakery has apparently shut. Claire sees this as an opportunity to make up with her fraternal sis and agrees.

However, in Seattle, Claire learns that Jesse and Nicole are not talking to each other and that her ailing sibling does not want her here. Claire ignores Nicole's protest. When Claire meets Nicole's friend Wyatt Knight an attraction surfaces immediately. However, neither wants to pursue their desires because she is in town for Nicole so feels strongly she must reject any intrusions including a loving one and he has been burned in his previous relationships

The battling Keyes sisters are as dysfunctional siblings as one will find short of fratricide; each has what they perceive is a legitimate gripe against her siblings. In fact it is the interrelationships between the trio that is the key to this fine emotional tale. Even the romance between Claire and Wyatt, though well done, takes a back seat to the war as Nicole feels her close friend is betraying her by his attraction to her enemy sister. Susan Mallery provides a powerful passionate backdrop to a fine contemporary romance.

Harriet Klausner

This book is not just another fluffy romantic comedy. I liked the characters in this novel they were very real people with real problems and the book made me want to cry and laugh at the same time. The romance was sweet without being toothache sweet. I felt the book had a realistic feel that made me care about the characters and I wanted to root for each of the sisters as they fought their individual demons. Susan Mallery is a winner. I have read all of her books and enjoyed everyone of them. This author is a must read if you like Kasey Michaels, Rachel Gibson, Christie Ridgeway, or Nora Roberts you will love Suan Mallery.

I'm a huge Susan Mallery fan but could barely finish this one It's boring! Susan's books are usually juicy & fun this one did nothing for me. No sweet talk here, Lets hope the next one is better.