Monday, May 30, 2016

The Weekenders - Mary Kay Andrews - Review and Giveaway

Summer reading has officially begun when Mary Kay Andrews releases her latest book - and it's here! The Weekenders has just released - and I have a copy to giveaway to one lucky reader.  I always love her covers - doesn't this one just shout beach!

Riley Griggs' family is one of the oldest on Belle Isle, North Carolina, developing summer homes and managing others. It's Riley's 'happy place.' Riley and her daughter Maggy are headed over to the island to open up their home on the Memorial Day weekend. Riley's husband Wendell is supposed to join them, but he's a no show and the ferry leaves without him. But, when Riley arrives there's a foreclosure notice on her door.....

The Weekenders is a little bit heavier in tone than previous releases. There's murder, family problems, health concerns, financial woes and lots of secrets. But all of that is accompanied by Mary Kay's trademark romance and overall 'chick lit' feel.

I liked Riley as a character and empathized with her plight. A wee bit of me was angry with her for not being a bit more proactive when it came to her own finances. No chick lit romance is complete without some push/pull, yes/no, back and forth before - well, you know. Loved the love interest in this book. And of course there needs to be a best friend sidekick, who's a little brash, but who would do anything for her bestie. And Parrish is all that. Daughter Maggy is a handful - and Andrews depicts that teen 'tude very well. The rest of the supporting cast is just as well drawn and explores other social and family issues.

That murder? Well, there's lots of suspects to choose from - and whodunit wasn't quite who I expected it to be at all!

Mary Kay's settings always leave me wishing I lived there. And Belle Isle was no exception - descriptions of weathered wood, whitewashed walls and the sound of waves sounds absolutely perfect to me.

The Weekenders was an engaging, entertaining, satisfying escapist read to start off my summer. (Pack drinks and snacks in in your bag too - it's a delicious 450+ pages.)  Read an excerpt of The Weekenders.

"Mary Kay Andrews is the New York Times bestselling author of the novels Beach Town, Save the Date, Ladies' Night, Christmas Bliss, Spring Fever, and Summer Rental, all from St. Martin's Press, as well as The Fixer Upper, Deep Dish, Blue Christmas, Savannah Breeze, Hissy Fit, Little Bitty Lies, and Savannah Blues, all HarperPerennial.  A former journalist for The Atlanta Journal Constitution, she divides her time between Atlanta and Tybee Island, Georgia." You can connect with Mary Kay Andrews on: ||  Website  ||  Twitter  ||  Facebook  ||  Pinterest  ||

And if you'd like to take The Weekenders to the beach with you, enter to win a copy using the Rafflecopter form below. Ends Jun 18/16. Open to US only, no PO boxes please.

14 comments:

Carol M said...

This sounds good! Thank you for a chance to win a copy.

bermudaonion said...

Her books are so much fun!

Mystica said...

This sounds good.

scottsgal said...

she writes the perfect beach reads

traveler said...

Thanks for this ideal summer book giveaway.

Erin P said...

looks like a great summer read

holdenj said...

Always enjoy a new MKA for summer!

rhonda said...

Perfect read for my summer vacation.😍

Grandma Cootie said...

I love it when it's time for all these great summer reads. And I think we must all have that bag with the red handles that's on the cover! Thanks for the giveaway.

Jennifer Tar Heel Reader said...

MKA's books are perfect for the beach - I can get interrupted a million times by all that's going on and get right back into it (and I love that). :)

Carl Scott said...

Great beach book, you know this one's gonna get dog-eared as we all take our turns. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.

Anita Yancey said...

I love her books. This one sounds really good and would make a fantastic summer read. Thanks for having the giveaway.

Tammy Dalley said...

Thanks for the chance to win, sounds like an awesome read!

Cafinated-Reads Molly said...

This book sounds amazing! Thanks for the chance to win!