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Road Trip: A Novel
The Queen of the Summer Read is back with her first novel in two years!
Maeve and Therese Dunigan are sisters—but the two have been estranged for years. They could not be more Maeve, a rule-follower and Therese, a rebel. But when their mother's death brings the family back together, the two find that they have inherited a painting—one that could be worth millions and could save each of them from their respective wolves at the door. The only issue is, the painting might be a fake and the only way the can solve the problem is to find the original. This means a road trip—to Ireland, to their family roots, and to a mysterious crime that occurred years ago. With tensions simmering, the two hit the road and find themselves on twisty lanes, in colorful villages, at local pubs, and with handsome men whose gift of the gab is surpassed only by their charm. Can Maeve and Therese find the real painting, remove a family curse, solve a cold case, and actually survive without killing each other? Join Mary Kay Andrews on a road trip that will entertain you for miles.
Maeve and Therese Dunigan are sisters—but the two have been estranged for years. They could not be more Maeve, a rule-follower and Therese, a rebel. But when their mother's death brings the family back together, the two find that they have inherited a painting—one that could be worth millions and could save each of them from their respective wolves at the door. The only issue is, the painting might be a fake and the only way the can solve the problem is to find the original. This means a road trip—to Ireland, to their family roots, and to a mysterious crime that occurred years ago. With tensions simmering, the two hit the road and find themselves on twisty lanes, in colorful villages, at local pubs, and with handsome men whose gift of the gab is surpassed only by their charm. Can Maeve and Therese find the real painting, remove a family curse, solve a cold case, and actually survive without killing each other? Join Mary Kay Andrews on a road trip that will entertain you for miles.
Audio CD
First published June 2, 2026
About the author
Mary Kay Andrews
57 books15.1k followershttps://marykayandrews.com/
https://www.facebook.com/marykayandre...
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MARY KAY ANDREWS is the New York Times bestselling author of 30 novels (including The Homewreckers, The Santa Suit, The Newcomer; Hello, Summer; Sunset Beach; The High Tide Club; The Weekenders; Beach Town; Save the Date; Ladies’ Night; Christmas Bliss; Spring Fever; Summer Rental; The Fixer Upper; Deep Dish; Blue Christmas; Savannah Breeze; Hissy Fit; Little Bitty Lies; and Savannah Blues), and one cookbook, The Beach House Cookbook.
A native of St. Petersburg, Florida, she earned a B.A. in journalism from The University of Georgia. After a 14-year career working as a reporter at newspapers including The Savannah Morning News, The Marietta Journal, and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, where she spent the final ten years of her career, she left journalism in 1991 to write fiction.
Her first novel, Every Crooked Nanny, was published in 1992 by HarperCollins. She went on to write ten critically acclaimed mysteries under her real name, Kathy Hogan Trocheck. In 2002, she assumed the pen name Mary Kay Andrews with the publication of Savannah Blues. In 2006, Hissy Fit became her first New York Times bestseller, followed by twelve more New York Times, USA Today and Publisher’s Weekly bestsellers. To date, her novels have been published in German, Italian, Polish, Slovenian, Hungarian, Dutch, Czech and Japanese.
She and her family divide their time between Atlanta and Tybee Island, GA, where they cook up new recipes in two restored beach homes, The Breeze Inn and Ebbtide—both named after fictional places in Mary Kay’s novels, and both available to rent through Tybee Vacation Rentals. In between cooking, spoiling her grandkids, and plotting her next novel, Mary Kay is an intrepid treasure hunter whose favorite pastime is junking and fixing up old houses.
https://www.facebook.com/marykayandre...
https://www.instagram.com/marykayandr...
MARY KAY ANDREWS is the New York Times bestselling author of 30 novels (including The Homewreckers, The Santa Suit, The Newcomer; Hello, Summer; Sunset Beach; The High Tide Club; The Weekenders; Beach Town; Save the Date; Ladies’ Night; Christmas Bliss; Spring Fever; Summer Rental; The Fixer Upper; Deep Dish; Blue Christmas; Savannah Breeze; Hissy Fit; Little Bitty Lies; and Savannah Blues), and one cookbook, The Beach House Cookbook.
A native of St. Petersburg, Florida, she earned a B.A. in journalism from The University of Georgia. After a 14-year career working as a reporter at newspapers including The Savannah Morning News, The Marietta Journal, and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, where she spent the final ten years of her career, she left journalism in 1991 to write fiction.
Her first novel, Every Crooked Nanny, was published in 1992 by HarperCollins. She went on to write ten critically acclaimed mysteries under her real name, Kathy Hogan Trocheck. In 2002, she assumed the pen name Mary Kay Andrews with the publication of Savannah Blues. In 2006, Hissy Fit became her first New York Times bestseller, followed by twelve more New York Times, USA Today and Publisher’s Weekly bestsellers. To date, her novels have been published in German, Italian, Polish, Slovenian, Hungarian, Dutch, Czech and Japanese.
She and her family divide their time between Atlanta and Tybee Island, GA, where they cook up new recipes in two restored beach homes, The Breeze Inn and Ebbtide—both named after fictional places in Mary Kay’s novels, and both available to rent through Tybee Vacation Rentals. In between cooking, spoiling her grandkids, and plotting her next novel, Mary Kay is an intrepid treasure hunter whose favorite pastime is junking and fixing up old houses.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,188 reviews
June 3, 2026
Four 🍀 road trip stars for this sister story.
And I was actually on a road trip today (just from KC to Columbia and back) while finishing. Bonus!😎
It has been a couple of years since Mary Kay Andrews released a summer title. This one is worth reading and here is why:
👭Therese and Maeve Dunigan have a coffee can full of money and a dying wish to fulfill from their dear mother. Go visit Ireland together and find their roots. It took some convincing, but off they finally go.
🥈Mary Kay Andrews gives us a past timeline through narrative and letters highlighting their great grandmother Kathleen. Meanwhile as the sisters learn more about their Irish beginnings, they are inspired to do hard things like Kathleen did when she emigrated to America in the 1920's.
🖼A famous portrait has been in the Dunigan home their whole lives. Family lore indicates it was passed down through many generations and dates back to before Rachel left Ireland. Could this be the real deal? An IRA heist is also in the mix and gives the sisters a mystery to solve on their tip.
😎You'll need your shades to behold the brightest of endings in this one. I was impressed with the way Mary Kay Andrews ties up loose ends and makes old things new.
Thank you to St. Martins Press and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. Available as of June 2, 2026.
And I was actually on a road trip today (just from KC to Columbia and back) while finishing. Bonus!😎
It has been a couple of years since Mary Kay Andrews released a summer title. This one is worth reading and here is why:
👭Therese and Maeve Dunigan have a coffee can full of money and a dying wish to fulfill from their dear mother. Go visit Ireland together and find their roots. It took some convincing, but off they finally go.
🥈Mary Kay Andrews gives us a past timeline through narrative and letters highlighting their great grandmother Kathleen. Meanwhile as the sisters learn more about their Irish beginnings, they are inspired to do hard things like Kathleen did when she emigrated to America in the 1920's.
🖼A famous portrait has been in the Dunigan home their whole lives. Family lore indicates it was passed down through many generations and dates back to before Rachel left Ireland. Could this be the real deal? An IRA heist is also in the mix and gives the sisters a mystery to solve on their tip.
😎You'll need your shades to behold the brightest of endings in this one. I was impressed with the way Mary Kay Andrews ties up loose ends and makes old things new.
Thank you to St. Martins Press and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. Available as of June 2, 2026.
June 9, 2026
⭐️ 3.5 ⭐️ While on a road trip myself, my family and I listened to this audiobook together! We had an amazing time and loved the narration. It was like going on two road trips together, our own and another one where we had to solve a mystery regarding a long-lost painting. We went into the story expecting a light mystery but came out with a heartfelt story about two sisters and how the past and family history has an uncanny ability to shape our lives.
Little summary:
Road Trip is a family drama/mystery/historical fiction that is set primarily in Ireland and follows the story of two estranged sisters who are somewhat forced to reconnect after the passing of their mother. Maeve and Therese have barely spoken for years due to long standing resentment and family conflicts. When they come together to settle their mother's affairs, they are surprised to discover that they were left with a painting that is worth a fortune. For majority of the novel, the mystery of a painting drives much of the plot, pushing the sisters to spend more time together and essentially take a road trip out to Ireland that will not only serve as a bonding experience but also take us on the journey of identity, belonging and ancestry. The story will unfold through two timelines--present and the past, with the past historical storyline that will explain how this mysterious portrait became linked to their family and why it's so important.
Our thoughts:
Overall, we found loved how the mystery unfolded and how the sister relationships were explored. Our favorite part of the story was the family ancestry and the past. As someone who had a pleasure to visit Ireland a few times, I enjoyed the journey across Ireland here. I loved how Andrews wrote about the pubs, the villages, small communities and their traditions, the struggle of Irish immigrants and even the emigration to America. The historical timeline was our favorite and now my kids are nagging me to take them to Ireland. I think Ireland here was a character in itself and showed the importance of roots, of where you come from. The trip to Ireland helped the sisters get reacquainted with their roots, who they are and what they want for themselves above all else. Its quite an uplifting novel about self rediscovery and how heritage can help you heal and reconcile with other people.
The sister relationships were personally my favorite. What started as judgment and miscommunication turned into understanding and forgiveness. I don't have a sister, so I cannot relate in that regard but I can recognize pain from a mile away. Both characters were forced to confront old wounds and resentments and help each other see reason and come out much stronger. I always appreciate an emotional portrayal and Road Trip had plenty of that!
What we didn't like as a family was how long this book was. I think 16 hours is a long time for an audiobook and while we all appreciated how Andrews really wanted to take her time to unravel the story, for a fiction book it's a lot. We found the begging to be extremely slow. The heart of the story doesn't take off up until 45%-50% into the book and that can often be off-putting. My kids (and I understand it's not tailored for kids etc etc) found the first half very boring but the second half really changed their opinion (and the parents too)! A minor complaint: some parts were just too wordy and sometimes less is better. Because of the wordiness, some parts very stagnant and repetitive and just needed to be moved along faster.
The story has some romance but it's almost tertiary to everything else and very minor in my opinion. The sisters encountered lovely Irish men that added some emotional growth and lightness. But we weren't really invested in the romantic subplots and think this story would have been just as good without any romance.
Overall, this was a great book for out trip and the ending was very uplifting!
Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martins Press and the author, Mary Kay Andrews for an early ARC!
Many thanks to Macmillan Audio for an early ALC!
Narrator: Kathleen McInerney
Duration: 14 hours 56 minutes
Speed: 1.5x
Publication date: June 2, 2026
Little summary:
Road Trip is a family drama/mystery/historical fiction that is set primarily in Ireland and follows the story of two estranged sisters who are somewhat forced to reconnect after the passing of their mother. Maeve and Therese have barely spoken for years due to long standing resentment and family conflicts. When they come together to settle their mother's affairs, they are surprised to discover that they were left with a painting that is worth a fortune. For majority of the novel, the mystery of a painting drives much of the plot, pushing the sisters to spend more time together and essentially take a road trip out to Ireland that will not only serve as a bonding experience but also take us on the journey of identity, belonging and ancestry. The story will unfold through two timelines--present and the past, with the past historical storyline that will explain how this mysterious portrait became linked to their family and why it's so important.
Our thoughts:
Overall, we found loved how the mystery unfolded and how the sister relationships were explored. Our favorite part of the story was the family ancestry and the past. As someone who had a pleasure to visit Ireland a few times, I enjoyed the journey across Ireland here. I loved how Andrews wrote about the pubs, the villages, small communities and their traditions, the struggle of Irish immigrants and even the emigration to America. The historical timeline was our favorite and now my kids are nagging me to take them to Ireland. I think Ireland here was a character in itself and showed the importance of roots, of where you come from. The trip to Ireland helped the sisters get reacquainted with their roots, who they are and what they want for themselves above all else. Its quite an uplifting novel about self rediscovery and how heritage can help you heal and reconcile with other people.
The sister relationships were personally my favorite. What started as judgment and miscommunication turned into understanding and forgiveness. I don't have a sister, so I cannot relate in that regard but I can recognize pain from a mile away. Both characters were forced to confront old wounds and resentments and help each other see reason and come out much stronger. I always appreciate an emotional portrayal and Road Trip had plenty of that!
What we didn't like as a family was how long this book was. I think 16 hours is a long time for an audiobook and while we all appreciated how Andrews really wanted to take her time to unravel the story, for a fiction book it's a lot. We found the begging to be extremely slow. The heart of the story doesn't take off up until 45%-50% into the book and that can often be off-putting. My kids (and I understand it's not tailored for kids etc etc) found the first half very boring but the second half really changed their opinion (and the parents too)! A minor complaint: some parts were just too wordy and sometimes less is better. Because of the wordiness, some parts very stagnant and repetitive and just needed to be moved along faster.
The story has some romance but it's almost tertiary to everything else and very minor in my opinion. The sisters encountered lovely Irish men that added some emotional growth and lightness. But we weren't really invested in the romantic subplots and think this story would have been just as good without any romance.
Overall, this was a great book for out trip and the ending was very uplifting!
Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martins Press and the author, Mary Kay Andrews for an early ARC!
Many thanks to Macmillan Audio for an early ALC!
Narrator: Kathleen McInerney
Duration: 14 hours 56 minutes
Speed: 1.5x
Publication date: June 2, 2026
June 2, 2026
This was an enjoyable story that combined family history, mystery, and travel in a way that kept me interested from beginning to end. After their mother's death, sisters Maeve and Therese are sent on a trip to Ireland to uncover clues about their ancestors and fulfil her final wishes. Along the way, they discover long-buried family secrets, meet new people, and uncover pieces of the past that help explain their family's story. The mix of present-day events and historical details made for an engaging and heart warming read.
I really liked the characters and how much they grew throughout the book. Maeve and Therese start out with a strained relationship, but their journey together slowly helps them reconnect and understand each other better. Watching them search for answers about their family history was one of my favorite parts of the story. The Irish setting added so much charm, from the small villages to the welcoming locals, and it was easy to picture every place they visited. The mystery surrounding their ancestors, letters from the past, and the search for hidden truths kept the story moving and made me want to keep reading.
I had a great time with this book. It was a touching story about family, forgiveness, and discovering where you come from. I enjoyed the balance of mystery, history, and personal growth, and I found myself invested in both the sisters' relationship and their search for answers. While I would have loved even more details about their ancestors' story, I still found this to be a warm, entertaining, and satisfying read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
I really liked the characters and how much they grew throughout the book. Maeve and Therese start out with a strained relationship, but their journey together slowly helps them reconnect and understand each other better. Watching them search for answers about their family history was one of my favorite parts of the story. The Irish setting added so much charm, from the small villages to the welcoming locals, and it was easy to picture every place they visited. The mystery surrounding their ancestors, letters from the past, and the search for hidden truths kept the story moving and made me want to keep reading.
I had a great time with this book. It was a touching story about family, forgiveness, and discovering where you come from. I enjoyed the balance of mystery, history, and personal growth, and I found myself invested in both the sisters' relationship and their search for answers. While I would have loved even more details about their ancestors' story, I still found this to be a warm, entertaining, and satisfying read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
June 12, 2026
4.5 stars—the perfect summer read!!
Read
February 16, 20264 ⭐
This one was worth waiting for!
You’ll love the quirky cast of characters and agree that MKA has blended mystery, romance and family in perfect proportions. She makes the Irish setting come alive, highlighting heritage, family bonding and long-buried secrets. There are multiple threads to pull together as well as time hops, so hunker down and enjoy the journey.
While the above are great essentials for this road trip, it was the small steps taken towards healing and an attempt at finding common ground that pulled me into the story.
As one member of a sister-sibling dynamic, I identified with Therese and Maeve and their journey and was along for the ride as their relationship changed and shifted with age, distance, pain and love. I understood their long memory and the deep emotional thread that bound them and I appreciated a fun, engaging story about heritage and sibling bonds that anchored MKAs story.
Some gifts we anticipate, some we love and then there are others that are more than just a gift - they’re the bridge to discovering more about ourselves and those we love - the Dunigan sisters’ gift, a final wish by their mother, is one such gift.
I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.
This one was worth waiting for!
You’ll love the quirky cast of characters and agree that MKA has blended mystery, romance and family in perfect proportions. She makes the Irish setting come alive, highlighting heritage, family bonding and long-buried secrets. There are multiple threads to pull together as well as time hops, so hunker down and enjoy the journey.
While the above are great essentials for this road trip, it was the small steps taken towards healing and an attempt at finding common ground that pulled me into the story.
As one member of a sister-sibling dynamic, I identified with Therese and Maeve and their journey and was along for the ride as their relationship changed and shifted with age, distance, pain and love. I understood their long memory and the deep emotional thread that bound them and I appreciated a fun, engaging story about heritage and sibling bonds that anchored MKAs story.
Some gifts we anticipate, some we love and then there are others that are more than just a gift - they’re the bridge to discovering more about ourselves and those we love - the Dunigan sisters’ gift, a final wish by their mother, is one such gift.
I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.
June 8, 2026
What a perfect summer read!! I had so much fun with this one! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
June 8, 2026
the setup…
Maeve Dunigan has cared for her mother the last few years and now that Mary Helen Dunigan has passed, the older prodigal daughter Therese has returned home for the funeral. It’s been seven years since Maeve last saw her and they are polar opposites. While they struggle to get along, both are united in their commitment (and need) to restore Mary Helen’s estate. She left them some cash to pursue the origins of a century old painting brought from Ireland by their great grandmother. Therese determines it could possibly be worth millions so they decide to go to Ireland to research their ancestry and the painting’s provenance.
the heart of the story…
This isn’t your traditional road trip (thankfully) and the trek to Tarrymore had its series of challenges. I found the family lore fascinating and as I lost my heart to Ireland years ago, the setting was equally appealing. It’s a small village with lots of colorful characters who run the gamut in receptivity. Maeve and Therese find common ground as they discover their roots and work to unravel the mystery.
the narration…
Kathleen McInerney is one of my favorite narrators and storytellers, ideal for this one. She provided distinctive voices for those important to the tale, especially those with accents, delivering a great performance.
the bottom line…
This is a lovely family saga that brings together two estranged sisters to explore their ancestry and the true history behind that infamous painting. There’s a bit of mystery and romance to add color to the story and I was swept up in it all while being immersed in this Irish town. It was a wonderful listening experience.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
Maeve Dunigan has cared for her mother the last few years and now that Mary Helen Dunigan has passed, the older prodigal daughter Therese has returned home for the funeral. It’s been seven years since Maeve last saw her and they are polar opposites. While they struggle to get along, both are united in their commitment (and need) to restore Mary Helen’s estate. She left them some cash to pursue the origins of a century old painting brought from Ireland by their great grandmother. Therese determines it could possibly be worth millions so they decide to go to Ireland to research their ancestry and the painting’s provenance.
the heart of the story…
This isn’t your traditional road trip (thankfully) and the trek to Tarrymore had its series of challenges. I found the family lore fascinating and as I lost my heart to Ireland years ago, the setting was equally appealing. It’s a small village with lots of colorful characters who run the gamut in receptivity. Maeve and Therese find common ground as they discover their roots and work to unravel the mystery.
the narration…
Kathleen McInerney is one of my favorite narrators and storytellers, ideal for this one. She provided distinctive voices for those important to the tale, especially those with accents, delivering a great performance.
the bottom line…
This is a lovely family saga that brings together two estranged sisters to explore their ancestry and the true history behind that infamous painting. There’s a bit of mystery and romance to add color to the story and I was swept up in it all while being immersed in this Irish town. It was a wonderful listening experience.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
June 2, 2026
**Happy Publication Day!!**
Mary Kay Andrews's stories are always such a delight! In this novel, two estranged sisters have to come together after their mother dies to prove an inherited family portrait is authentic. Their great-grandmother brought it with her when she came to America from Ireland in 1926 so they are off to Ireland to trace their family roots.
The hallmarks of a great MKA story are the well-depicted characters and descriptive setting. And of course one can expect some romance with a little mystery thrown in. Everyone who follows Mary Kay Andrews on social media knows she is an avid estate-sale shopper and her eye for antiques and art is on display in this story.
Be sure to put this one on your list for fun and entertaining summer reading. Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an arc via NetGalley.
Mary Kay Andrews's stories are always such a delight! In this novel, two estranged sisters have to come together after their mother dies to prove an inherited family portrait is authentic. Their great-grandmother brought it with her when she came to America from Ireland in 1926 so they are off to Ireland to trace their family roots.
The hallmarks of a great MKA story are the well-depicted characters and descriptive setting. And of course one can expect some romance with a little mystery thrown in. Everyone who follows Mary Kay Andrews on social media knows she is an avid estate-sale shopper and her eye for antiques and art is on display in this story.
Be sure to put this one on your list for fun and entertaining summer reading. Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an arc via NetGalley.
April 2, 2026
Mary Kay Andrews is back and ready to slay… an Irish jig, that is!
The Queen of the Summer Read packs her characters bags for Ireland in ROAD TRIP, and it’s exactly the kind of fun, messy, escapist ride I want from her. Sisters at odds, researching a possibly priceless (or totally fake 👀) painting, family secrets, and a road trip full of charm, chaos, and a little romance? Say less.
Full of her signature wit, heart, and a splash of mystery, this is one road trip absolutely worth taking. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Queen of the Summer Read packs her characters bags for Ireland in ROAD TRIP, and it’s exactly the kind of fun, messy, escapist ride I want from her. Sisters at odds, researching a possibly priceless (or totally fake 👀) painting, family secrets, and a road trip full of charm, chaos, and a little romance? Say less.
Full of her signature wit, heart, and a splash of mystery, this is one road trip absolutely worth taking. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Sometimes you just need a book not filled with mayhem and murder, which is my usual fare. Anyway, Mary Kay Andrews is my go-to author for some prime anything but murder and mayhem reading. I have finally decided after much head scratching that Mary Kay Andrews writes Romance-w-Mystery. I have declared it and it is so. Period. End of debate. Drop the mike. Don't even bother trying to convince me that this book is just Chick-Lit. It has some elements, like the sisters who can't seem to agree, sure. But the cozy-romance, the mystery they unravel all scream Romance-w-Mystery. It is a formula that has been a winner for me for several wonderful books and this one is just as wonderful, and fun, and with heartwarming fun scenes.
The Dunigan Sisters, Maeve and Therese, have been estranged for years. Maeve is the dutiful one, caring for their mother through her illness. Therese was an actress who followed her own path. Now mom has died and left behind a painting that could be worth millions and a mortgaged to the rafters' family home. Mom was not all there near the end. She also left a tin can of money she wanted the girls to use on a trip to Ireland and get to the bottom of a family legend.
When the Dunigan Sisters work together, they are a force of nature. Tarrymore, Ireland will never be the same. Maeve, for sure will never be the same after meeting and falling for a whisky distiller, Liam Grogan, whose voice is as smooth as his whisky. Old family secrets have a way of coming out when these two determined Americans start turning over the rocks and finally get the answers they want.
My thanks to the Publisher, and Author, for providing a complimentary digital Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this novel via NetGalley. This is my fair, honest and personal review. All opinions are mine alone and were not biased in any way.
The Dunigan Sisters, Maeve and Therese, have been estranged for years. Maeve is the dutiful one, caring for their mother through her illness. Therese was an actress who followed her own path. Now mom has died and left behind a painting that could be worth millions and a mortgaged to the rafters' family home. Mom was not all there near the end. She also left a tin can of money she wanted the girls to use on a trip to Ireland and get to the bottom of a family legend.
When the Dunigan Sisters work together, they are a force of nature. Tarrymore, Ireland will never be the same. Maeve, for sure will never be the same after meeting and falling for a whisky distiller, Liam Grogan, whose voice is as smooth as his whisky. Old family secrets have a way of coming out when these two determined Americans start turning over the rocks and finally get the answers they want.
My thanks to the Publisher, and Author, for providing a complimentary digital Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this novel via NetGalley. This is my fair, honest and personal review. All opinions are mine alone and were not biased in any way.
June 4, 2026
Mary Kay Andrews has written a story that brings the characters of sisters Maeve and Therese to life is a real and believable way. After their mother's death, they are pushed to visit their Irish roots as their mother wished. The two need money and an old portrait brought to the US by their great grandmother is possibly worth a lot of money. So they left the lovely and historical city of Savannah to visit the old country of Ireland to find answers and where they meet a cousin that helps. The two sisters are so opposite and are humorous to watch and what an adventure they find. This is another great story by MKA inspired by a relative of her own..
I received a copy for the purpose of an honest review. These are my thoughts.
I received a copy for the purpose of an honest review. These are my thoughts.
June 10, 2026
Review soon. Loved it 4 ⭐️ and such a cute cover 🥰🍀
March 22, 2026
I am not sure if I read the same book everyone else did. I love Mary Kay Andrews; I have read every single one of her books....but this one felt off. I am so sad to give it the rating I did. It didn't feel like her writing. It felt like someone trying to write as MKA. The transitions within the same scene and between scenes felt silted and very awkward at times. There were so many secondary characters, it was hard to keep them all straight. I do love the story ARC of sisters learning to heal and the love story along the way. But overall.......so disappointed.
June 9, 2026
Road Trip by Mary Kay Andrews
Contemporary romance, chick lit. Multiple timelines.
When their mother dies, Maeve and Therese Dunigan return to their childhood home to clean and sell the property. Unfortunately, their mother’s illness lead to bad finance decisions. The only thing left is a painting that may or may not be worth anything. Maeve and Therese travel to Scotland, hoping to trace the painting origins and prove its legitimacy.
Maeve and Therese are sisters but have gone in very different directions in their lives. The rule-follower and a rebel arrive in the small town of Tarrymore, Ireland to find that history isn’t forgotten and grudges still hold. Each of the women follow their own instincts in unraveling fact from fiction along from the locals, and old letters.
Can they prove their heritage or do they go home empty handed?
🎧I listened to an audiobook narrated by Kathleen McInerney. The performance brings the sisters to life with unique voices and a backstory of emotions. Irish accents are included for the locals when they travel to Ireland but they mild and easily understood. I particularly enjoyed the brisk scathing tone and attitude of the matriarch.
An audiobook that held my attention to the happy ending.
A historical story from the letters had me wishing for more.
Sweet and colorful, hope, remembrance just a smidge of mystery. Add in a few drops of romance and it’s a Road Trip to remember.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley and Macmillan Audio.
Contemporary romance, chick lit. Multiple timelines.
When their mother dies, Maeve and Therese Dunigan return to their childhood home to clean and sell the property. Unfortunately, their mother’s illness lead to bad finance decisions. The only thing left is a painting that may or may not be worth anything. Maeve and Therese travel to Scotland, hoping to trace the painting origins and prove its legitimacy.
Maeve and Therese are sisters but have gone in very different directions in their lives. The rule-follower and a rebel arrive in the small town of Tarrymore, Ireland to find that history isn’t forgotten and grudges still hold. Each of the women follow their own instincts in unraveling fact from fiction along from the locals, and old letters.
Can they prove their heritage or do they go home empty handed?
🎧I listened to an audiobook narrated by Kathleen McInerney. The performance brings the sisters to life with unique voices and a backstory of emotions. Irish accents are included for the locals when they travel to Ireland but they mild and easily understood. I particularly enjoyed the brisk scathing tone and attitude of the matriarch.
An audiobook that held my attention to the happy ending.
A historical story from the letters had me wishing for more.
Sweet and colorful, hope, remembrance just a smidge of mystery. Add in a few drops of romance and it’s a Road Trip to remember.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley and Macmillan Audio.
June 12, 2026
This is the story of Maeve and Therese Dunigan, two estranged sisters that must travel together to Ireland to fulfill their mother's dying wish. And in doing so they must investigate the authenticity of a painting left to them that could be worth millions.
This takes them on a journey where they discover a long-buried family mystery, meet several interesting characters, have run-ins with the law and even find romance.
Like night and day we see the sisters slowly bond together during their adventure.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an arc of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
This takes them on a journey where they discover a long-buried family mystery, meet several interesting characters, have run-ins with the law and even find romance.
Like night and day we see the sisters slowly bond together during their adventure.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an arc of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
June 11, 2026
Mary Kay Andrews writes books that are so perfect for summer. I really enjoyed being transported to Ireland in this women's fiction tale. Full of complex family dynamics, a little mystery and a sprinkle of loved. I loved the character arc of two sisters who were a bit estranged and were forced together as part of their mom's dying wish.
The novel was transportive and engaging, a great escape!
I was able to listen to some of this book, and I thought both formats were superb. The narrating was great and this is the type of story that is enhanced by great narration. Kathleen McInerney was superb.
The novel was transportive and engaging, a great escape!
I was able to listen to some of this book, and I thought both formats were superb. The narrating was great and this is the type of story that is enhanced by great narration. Kathleen McInerney was superb.
May 6, 2026
I don't believe MKA could write a book that wasn't terrific. This one, of course, is no exception.
Two sisters as different as night and day, need to join forces after their mother dies. They need to put their mother's house on the market, fast, since they're both broke. Unfortunately it's not going to easy. They discover their mother wasn't very good about managing her money towards the end of her life. I'll save the details for your reading pleasure! A bright spot in the story is an elegant oil painting of what they believe to be their great-grandmother, that may have significant value.
Their uncle discovers cash that Mom saved over the years but with a stipulation. The money must be used for a trip to Ireland to discover more about their roots and that mystery painting; but they must take the trip together.
When they do get to Ireland much awaits them. Eccentric family, a handsome man and the ancestors' mansion and grounds. Atmospheric, sentimental and serious fun await the reader. I highly recommend.
Thanks Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press.
Two sisters as different as night and day, need to join forces after their mother dies. They need to put their mother's house on the market, fast, since they're both broke. Unfortunately it's not going to easy. They discover their mother wasn't very good about managing her money towards the end of her life. I'll save the details for your reading pleasure! A bright spot in the story is an elegant oil painting of what they believe to be their great-grandmother, that may have significant value.
Their uncle discovers cash that Mom saved over the years but with a stipulation. The money must be used for a trip to Ireland to discover more about their roots and that mystery painting; but they must take the trip together.
When they do get to Ireland much awaits them. Eccentric family, a handsome man and the ancestors' mansion and grounds. Atmospheric, sentimental and serious fun await the reader. I highly recommend.
Thanks Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
ROUNDING UP to 3.5 STARS
Maeve and Therese are estranged sisters and their mom's final wish was for them to go to Ireland where their great-grandmother emigrated from in 1926. They only agree to go when they realize the painting of their ancestor that's been hanging on their wall could be worth millions and they need to figure out why their great-grandmother Kathleen ended up with it.
This one did not hit the MK Andrews mark for me. From the description I was looking forward to some good sisterly drama and banter on their road trip. But there's really not much of that. The story starts out good and I love the characters and where it is headed, but it than just starts to really drag midway in and takes will the last five chapters to pick back up speed and interest. Is the book romance? Is it a history lesson on Ireland? Is it a mystery/ thriller? It's trying to be too much (in my opinion). And Mauve is a wonderful character, but Theresa needs to be featured more and maybe the POV (I like her feistiness). I was hoping for more banter between the sisters from the de
Thank You Net Galley and Mary Kay Andrew for the ARC copy of ROAD TRIP!!! All opinions remain my own.
Maeve and Therese are estranged sisters and their mom's final wish was for them to go to Ireland where their great-grandmother emigrated from in 1926. They only agree to go when they realize the painting of their ancestor that's been hanging on their wall could be worth millions and they need to figure out why their great-grandmother Kathleen ended up with it.
This one did not hit the MK Andrews mark for me. From the description I was looking forward to some good sisterly drama and banter on their road trip. But there's really not much of that. The story starts out good and I love the characters and where it is headed, but it than just starts to really drag midway in and takes will the last five chapters to pick back up speed and interest. Is the book romance? Is it a history lesson on Ireland? Is it a mystery/ thriller? It's trying to be too much (in my opinion). And Mauve is a wonderful character, but Theresa needs to be featured more and maybe the POV (I like her feistiness). I was hoping for more banter between the sisters from the de
Thank You Net Galley and Mary Kay Andrew for the ARC copy of ROAD TRIP!!! All opinions remain my own.
April 20, 2026
Road Trip ended up as a 4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ for me overall. At points it did dip well below that, especially at the start but I'm glad I kept reading as I was so invested by the end! It is a light read if you need a refresher and would be fun for anyone especially if you have Irish roots and sibling drama/trauma.
Maeve and Therese are sisters who have no relationship but are forced to come together after the death of their beloved mother who (to their surprise) left them money to go on a trip to Ireland to discover their heritage, and perhaps repair their relationship while there? Mix in an heritage painting of a supposed very distant relation and the story is well on route.
Being a sister myself, the disfunction at the start didn't feel fun to read and although more of a Maeve myself, I felt Therese's character was a bit of a caricature in it's description, constantly noting her band tees and her drinking, I didn't feel like I knew who she actually was for a long time in the book. The issues that the sisters had just before and after their Mom's death with money etc. also felt a bit exaggerated and unrealistic and it drew me out of the story at times in the start wondering how any of this would actually happen.
Once we headed to Ireland, I was all in, I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and the story and was rooting for them. (I still felt like Therese never fully formed for me as a character but I was able to still enjoy the read despite that.)
Some of my favourite parts were the flashbacks to their great grandmother's life and experience both told in narrative and from her letters. I wanted more!
All in all, once engaged, I didn't want to put this one down and I closed the cover feeling satisfied. This will be the perfect summer read for anyone who wants to follow the Dunigan sister's on their overseas Road Trip! Publishing June 2nd 2026, put this one on your list!🚙🍀👯♀️
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the Advance Reader Copy! 😊
Maeve and Therese are sisters who have no relationship but are forced to come together after the death of their beloved mother who (to their surprise) left them money to go on a trip to Ireland to discover their heritage, and perhaps repair their relationship while there? Mix in an heritage painting of a supposed very distant relation and the story is well on route.
Being a sister myself, the disfunction at the start didn't feel fun to read and although more of a Maeve myself, I felt Therese's character was a bit of a caricature in it's description, constantly noting her band tees and her drinking, I didn't feel like I knew who she actually was for a long time in the book. The issues that the sisters had just before and after their Mom's death with money etc. also felt a bit exaggerated and unrealistic and it drew me out of the story at times in the start wondering how any of this would actually happen.
Once we headed to Ireland, I was all in, I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and the story and was rooting for them. (I still felt like Therese never fully formed for me as a character but I was able to still enjoy the read despite that.)
Some of my favourite parts were the flashbacks to their great grandmother's life and experience both told in narrative and from her letters. I wanted more!
All in all, once engaged, I didn't want to put this one down and I closed the cover feeling satisfied. This will be the perfect summer read for anyone who wants to follow the Dunigan sister's on their overseas Road Trip! Publishing June 2nd 2026, put this one on your list!🚙🍀👯♀️
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the Advance Reader Copy! 😊
June 5, 2026
3.5
Trigger Warnings:
* Death of a parent
* Grief and loss
* Family conflict
* Sibling estrangement
* Alcohol misuse
* Infidelity
* Financial hardship
* Emotional manipulation
* Mild violence
Road Trip by Mary Kay Andrews is set in present-day Savannah, Georgia, and County Wicklow, Ireland, Road Trip follows sisters Maeve and Therese Dunigan, whose already strained relationship is pushed to the breaking point after their mother’s death. Expecting a sizable inheritance, they are stunned to learn that the family fortune is gone. Instead, they are left with a mysterious portrait and a set of clues that send them on a journey across Ireland in search of answers about their family’s past. As they travel together, old resentments resurface, family secrets begin to unravel, and both women are forced to reevaluate what they thought they knew about their mother and each other. Filled with picturesque Irish settings, humor, mystery, and a touch of romance, the story is ultimately about family, forgiveness, and discovering that some of life’s greatest treasures have little to do with money. It has the warm, entertaining feel Mary Kay Andrews fans have come to expect while also exploring the complicated bonds between sisters and the lasting impact of
Trigger Warnings:
* Death of a parent
* Grief and loss
* Family conflict
* Sibling estrangement
* Alcohol misuse
* Infidelity
* Financial hardship
* Emotional manipulation
* Mild violence
Road Trip by Mary Kay Andrews is set in present-day Savannah, Georgia, and County Wicklow, Ireland, Road Trip follows sisters Maeve and Therese Dunigan, whose already strained relationship is pushed to the breaking point after their mother’s death. Expecting a sizable inheritance, they are stunned to learn that the family fortune is gone. Instead, they are left with a mysterious portrait and a set of clues that send them on a journey across Ireland in search of answers about their family’s past. As they travel together, old resentments resurface, family secrets begin to unravel, and both women are forced to reevaluate what they thought they knew about their mother and each other. Filled with picturesque Irish settings, humor, mystery, and a touch of romance, the story is ultimately about family, forgiveness, and discovering that some of life’s greatest treasures have little to do with money. It has the warm, entertaining feel Mary Kay Andrews fans have come to expect while also exploring the complicated bonds between sisters and the lasting impact of
June 15, 2026
Typical Mary Kay Andrews book full of intrigue, sweet romance and of course laughter. Her books are always such a fun ride. In Road Trip, you will encounter estranged sisters who have just lost their mother, a road trip of course, family secrets, a valuable art mystery, a murder, a handsome Irishman and strong female characters. There's something for everyone!
December 31, 2025
Thank you to #StMartinsPress and #NetGalley for the digital ARC of #RoadTrip. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.
This came to me unsolicited from the publishers and it was the right book at the right time for me. I needed something lighter to finish the year on an upbeat note. I've read a few of Andrews other books and this is definitely my favorite.
Sisters Maeve and Therese are together in their childhood home following the death of their mother. Both are counting on their inheritance for different reasons. Turns out their mom mortgaged the house to send money to a televangelist in Texas, but she saved $9000 with the explicit instructions that the girls go to Ireland together to investigate their family heritage. Mayhem, mystery and romance ensue with a generous dose of sibling tension, quirky characters and Irish charm.
Set in Savannah (Andrews usual setting) and County Wicklow, Ireland, the book mostly takes place in current day with a few flashbacks via letters to when their great grandmother immigrated to the US. Some part were a little predictable, but overall a really fun read.
This came to me unsolicited from the publishers and it was the right book at the right time for me. I needed something lighter to finish the year on an upbeat note. I've read a few of Andrews other books and this is definitely my favorite.
Sisters Maeve and Therese are together in their childhood home following the death of their mother. Both are counting on their inheritance for different reasons. Turns out their mom mortgaged the house to send money to a televangelist in Texas, but she saved $9000 with the explicit instructions that the girls go to Ireland together to investigate their family heritage. Mayhem, mystery and romance ensue with a generous dose of sibling tension, quirky characters and Irish charm.
Set in Savannah (Andrews usual setting) and County Wicklow, Ireland, the book mostly takes place in current day with a few flashbacks via letters to when their great grandmother immigrated to the US. Some part were a little predictable, but overall a really fun read.
March 2, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read this ARC. All opinions are my own.
I am a huge Mary Kay Andrews fan so I went into this book already with high hopes.
At first, I did feel it was a slow start and was nervous there would be too many characters to keep up with. As the story goes on, the writing really zooms in on the two sisters and their relationship which I really enjoyed as it made me think of my relationship with my own sister.
No surprise that I really enjoyed this book, but what did surprise me was the fact that this is so different than any of the other MKA stories I’ve read. I loved that this book still had her signature southern charm with a twist while also giving some historical fiction vibes with how we see the story unfold in Ireland in dual timelines!
I would recommend this book to anyone interested in beach reads with a mystery (typical MKA 😊) and historical fiction.
I am a huge Mary Kay Andrews fan so I went into this book already with high hopes.
At first, I did feel it was a slow start and was nervous there would be too many characters to keep up with. As the story goes on, the writing really zooms in on the two sisters and their relationship which I really enjoyed as it made me think of my relationship with my own sister.
No surprise that I really enjoyed this book, but what did surprise me was the fact that this is so different than any of the other MKA stories I’ve read. I loved that this book still had her signature southern charm with a twist while also giving some historical fiction vibes with how we see the story unfold in Ireland in dual timelines!
I would recommend this book to anyone interested in beach reads with a mystery (typical MKA 😊) and historical fiction.
June 7, 2026
Thanks to @stmartinspress and @macmillan.audio #macaudio2026 #partner for the gifted review copy and audiobook!
🚗 REVIEW - ROAD TRIP 🚗
Author - Mary Kay Andrews
Pub Date - 6/2/2026
Mary Kay Andrews is one of my go-to authors when I’m looking for a beach read with great storytelling, and she has really delivered with her latest novel, Road Trip. It’s the perfect blend of family drama, history, mystery, road trip shenanigans, and even a hint of romance.
The story centers on Maeve and Therese, two estranged sisters, who come together for their mother’s funeral, only to learn that her dying wish was for the two of them to reunite. She has left them money to take a trip to Ireland together where they can reconnect while learning more about their heritage. When the sisters learn there’s a huge mortgage that needs to be paid off, they look to a family heirloom, a portrait that has been in the family for as long as anyone can remember, the sisters decide to use the trip to also trace the origin of the portrait to determine if it’s priceless or worthless.
I don’t know much about art, but I was fascinated by the tracing of the portrait’s history, especially as we get glimpses into how their ancestor first came over to the U.S. from Ireland. When Maeve and Therese start researching the portrait, they ultimately discover some long buried secrets. The trip also teaches them a great deal about themselves so it’s a journey of discovery on several fronts.
Andrews skillfully weaves together the mystery of the portrait and the unraveling of secrets, while still keeping the story heartwarming and fun overall as we follow the sisters as they fulfill their mom’s last wish and reconnect as they road trip across Ireland. Ireland is on my travel bucket list, so I was completely charmed by the Irish setting, both the villages and the people.
If you’re looking for a bingeable beach read with a little something for every reader, definitely check out Road Trip!
Kathleen McInerney narrates the audiobook and does a wonderful job capturing the overall spirit of this story.
4 1/2 STARS
🚗 REVIEW - ROAD TRIP 🚗
Author - Mary Kay Andrews
Pub Date - 6/2/2026
Mary Kay Andrews is one of my go-to authors when I’m looking for a beach read with great storytelling, and she has really delivered with her latest novel, Road Trip. It’s the perfect blend of family drama, history, mystery, road trip shenanigans, and even a hint of romance.
The story centers on Maeve and Therese, two estranged sisters, who come together for their mother’s funeral, only to learn that her dying wish was for the two of them to reunite. She has left them money to take a trip to Ireland together where they can reconnect while learning more about their heritage. When the sisters learn there’s a huge mortgage that needs to be paid off, they look to a family heirloom, a portrait that has been in the family for as long as anyone can remember, the sisters decide to use the trip to also trace the origin of the portrait to determine if it’s priceless or worthless.
I don’t know much about art, but I was fascinated by the tracing of the portrait’s history, especially as we get glimpses into how their ancestor first came over to the U.S. from Ireland. When Maeve and Therese start researching the portrait, they ultimately discover some long buried secrets. The trip also teaches them a great deal about themselves so it’s a journey of discovery on several fronts.
Andrews skillfully weaves together the mystery of the portrait and the unraveling of secrets, while still keeping the story heartwarming and fun overall as we follow the sisters as they fulfill their mom’s last wish and reconnect as they road trip across Ireland. Ireland is on my travel bucket list, so I was completely charmed by the Irish setting, both the villages and the people.
If you’re looking for a bingeable beach read with a little something for every reader, definitely check out Road Trip!
Kathleen McInerney narrates the audiobook and does a wonderful job capturing the overall spirit of this story.
4 1/2 STARS
June 6, 2026
4.25⭐
Reeling from their mother's death, two sisters go to Ireland to figure out their family history/secrets and hopefully repair their own relationship.The story is engaging even as they mostly go their separate way, and then compiling the results. Really enjoyed the relationship between them. Definitely recommend this book for anyone interested in Ireland, family drama and mystery. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
Reeling from their mother's death, two sisters go to Ireland to figure out their family history/secrets and hopefully repair their own relationship.The story is engaging even as they mostly go their separate way, and then compiling the results. Really enjoyed the relationship between them. Definitely recommend this book for anyone interested in Ireland, family drama and mystery. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
April 15, 2026
Maeve and Therese are estranged sisters, but the death of their mother brings them on a "Road Trip" to Ireland to find information about their heritage. Along the way they find family secrets and adventure. And of course, they both find love.
I had a very hard time putting this book down. I would love Mary Kay Andrews to write a sequel to this one. I want to find out more about Maeve and Therese. Thank you to Netgalley for letting me read this book early.
I had a very hard time putting this book down. I would love Mary Kay Andrews to write a sequel to this one. I want to find out more about Maeve and Therese. Thank you to Netgalley for letting me read this book early.
June 10, 2026
Two estranged sisters from Georgia go on a trip to Ireland to uncover their family tree. The book is full of madcaps but also warm moments between sisters. The book also has a lovely man (sadly not called Jamie. I have a thing for Irish men called Jamie).
The Irish lands are described so beautifully, it felt I was there. The antics of American sisters in rural Ireland was also a delight to read.
There was some lag in the middle section, but then it caught up soon. The dual timeline was also done quite well and managed to maintain the distinct voices of the past and the present.
Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC.
4 stars
The Irish lands are described so beautifully, it felt I was there. The antics of American sisters in rural Ireland was also a delight to read.
There was some lag in the middle section, but then it caught up soon. The dual timeline was also done quite well and managed to maintain the distinct voices of the past and the present.
Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC.
4 stars
June 21, 2026
Thank you to netgalley, Mary Kay Andrews and Netgalley for allowing me to read Road Trip. I have read other Mary Kay Andrews books and find them to be a comfortable read. However, this book was disappointing where it used foul language numerous times. Road trip was a journey that involved a mystery. The writing was good but. I was looking for a refreshing book without profanity. These are my honest views about this book.
June 3, 2026
I had a hard time getting into this book. I did not connect with the two female main characters at the beginning. As the story developed, I did enjoy it more. I liked how there was a mix of romance, family secrets, and mystery. I did also like the small town, Irish setting. Overall, it was a good read. Thank you netgalley for the advanced reader copy.
Read
May 6, 20263.5 ⭐️
Something about MKA books that just feel cozy and warm. They’re never quick reads in a sense but rather like putting on a spot of tea and sinking into them.
With her latest one (out in June!) it’s the story of two estranged sisters and a mystery with a painting that has been hanging in their (now deceased) mother’s house.
The painting (and their mother’s death) is what takes them to Ireland but it’s really just a backdrop to the heart of the story. Which is how (very different) sisters find their way back to each other.
It’s charming and cozy; and as expected has the happily ever after you are looking for. For me, it was a little long for this storyline (slowed up a tad too much midway) but I did enjoy the Ireland pieces, the love story and the sister bond pieces
Thank you S&S Canada for the gifted copy! .
Something about MKA books that just feel cozy and warm. They’re never quick reads in a sense but rather like putting on a spot of tea and sinking into them.
With her latest one (out in June!) it’s the story of two estranged sisters and a mystery with a painting that has been hanging in their (now deceased) mother’s house.
The painting (and their mother’s death) is what takes them to Ireland but it’s really just a backdrop to the heart of the story. Which is how (very different) sisters find their way back to each other.
It’s charming and cozy; and as expected has the happily ever after you are looking for. For me, it was a little long for this storyline (slowed up a tad too much midway) but I did enjoy the Ireland pieces, the love story and the sister bond pieces
Thank you S&S Canada for the gifted copy! .
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