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The Weekenders
Some people stay all summer long on the idyllic island of Belle Isle, North Carolina. Others come only for the weekends-and the mix between the regulars and “the weekenders” can sometimes make the sparks fly. Riley Griggs has a season of good times with friends and family ahead of her on Belle Isle when things take an unexpected turn. While waiting for her husband to arrive on the ferry one Friday afternoon, Riley is confronted by a process server who thrusts papers into her hand. And her husband is nowhere to be found. So she turns to her island friends for help and support, but it turns out that each of them has their own secrets, and the clock is ticking as the mystery deepens... in a murderous way. Cocktail parties aside, Riley must find a way to investigate the secrets of Belle Island, the husband she might not really know, and the summer that could change everything. Told with Mary Kay Andrews’ trademark blend of humor and warmth, and with characters and a setting that you can’t help but fall for, the New York Times bestseller The Weekenders is the perfect summer escape.
462 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 2016
2197 people are currently reading
21147 people want to read
About the author
Mary Kay Andrews
55 books14.6k 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 3,100 reviews
May 29, 2016
I had a tough time deciding what to rate this book. After all, I did finish it, so it wasn't terrible. I just can't justify giving it more than 2 stars, though. I have spoilers later on, so be careful reading too far.
It was advertised in the NYT Book Review, which is where I start with my book reading list, and just happened to be sold at Costco last time I was there. It represented 3 checkmarks on my 30 book reading list I got off the internet for 2016 - a book set in the summer, on the beach and easy to finish in one day - so I bought it.
I'll come clean at the beginning of my review that the dead man sort of reminds me of my ex-husband, right down to the massive failed real estate development and refinancing the house in a shady way, so that *may* have clouded my judgment.
The worst parts of the story are the over-the-top characters. Maggy is the rudest 12 year old I've seen in a book, and with no particular reason, and that's from the outset, not after she has the excuse of her father's murder. There's a previous homicide that was inexplicably swept away, because, hey, we can get rid of bodies with no problem, no explanation, right? The main characters' parents weirdly trust a man who married into the family more completely than they trust anyone else - I can tell you from a legal background that rich people DON'T give the gold digger the keys to the house, they try to protect their kids from them, just in case. Of course there's a hurricane to add some drama - and why anyone wants to wait until the sea is unsafe to evacuate or why the evacuation wasn't mandatory before the winds and waves hit, I won't guess. Thankfully (dripping with sarcasm) the entire murder sequence is revealed in an open discussion between a number of people, so you will know the exact sequence of events and twists.
To sum it up, the plot was amazingly simple, and the characters and events were over the top. It was still a fun read for a day, kind of like going to Taco Bell isn't great food, but something you like to do once in a while anyway.
It was advertised in the NYT Book Review, which is where I start with my book reading list, and just happened to be sold at Costco last time I was there. It represented 3 checkmarks on my 30 book reading list I got off the internet for 2016 - a book set in the summer, on the beach and easy to finish in one day - so I bought it.
I'll come clean at the beginning of my review that the dead man sort of reminds me of my ex-husband, right down to the massive failed real estate development and refinancing the house in a shady way, so that *may* have clouded my judgment.
The worst parts of the story are the over-the-top characters. Maggy is the rudest 12 year old I've seen in a book, and with no particular reason, and that's from the outset, not after she has the excuse of her father's murder. There's a previous homicide that was inexplicably swept away, because, hey, we can get rid of bodies with no problem, no explanation, right? The main characters' parents weirdly trust a man who married into the family more completely than they trust anyone else - I can tell you from a legal background that rich people DON'T give the gold digger the keys to the house, they try to protect their kids from them, just in case. Of course there's a hurricane to add some drama - and why anyone wants to wait until the sea is unsafe to evacuate or why the evacuation wasn't mandatory before the winds and waves hit, I won't guess. Thankfully (dripping with sarcasm) the entire murder sequence is revealed in an open discussion between a number of people, so you will know the exact sequence of events and twists.
To sum it up, the plot was amazingly simple, and the characters and events were over the top. It was still a fun read for a day, kind of like going to Taco Bell isn't great food, but something you like to do once in a while anyway.
June 28, 2016
6/23/16 Quit at page 176.
I really dislike all of these characters. Nor can I summon much sympathy towards the trials of these unpleasant (formerly) wealthy people. Spoiled much?
And, wow, the daughter is a jerk.
I'm outta here.
I really dislike all of these characters. Nor can I summon much sympathy towards the trials of these unpleasant (formerly) wealthy people. Spoiled much?
And, wow, the daughter is a jerk.
I'm outta here.
February 11, 2018
EXCERPT: Wendell Griggs was big on promises. Always had been. On their first date, he’d promised Riley Nolan she’d never want to date anybody else. When he’d presented her with her engagement ring—a three-carat diamond bigger than any of her girlfriends had—he’d promised it was the start of a life that would be big and rich and exciting. No doubt about it, her husband was a dreamer. And a schemer.
But lately, Wendell’s promises meant nothing. Just talk. Hollow words meant to placate or stall. Nothing more. What was it her grandfather used to say?
“All hat, no cattle.”
Like today. Wendell had promised—sworn—he’d meet them at the ferry dock at Southpoint in time to make the last boat over to Belle Isle.
It was Memorial Day weekend, a tradition they’d established even before they’d gotten married, kicking off the season on the island where Riley’s family had summered for the past hundred years.
And yet, here she stood. She brushed a stray lock of dark brown hair from her eyes and squinted down at the screen of her smartphone. Still nothing.
Her fingertips raced over the keys.
WHERE R U?
All caps. It was the texting equivalent of screaming. And that’s how she felt, like screaming.
THE BLURB: Some people stay all summer long on the idyllic island of Belle Isle, North Carolina. Others come only for the weekends-and the mix between the regulars and “the weekenders” can sometimes make the sparks fly. Riley Griggs has a season of good times with friends and family ahead of her on Belle Isle when things take an unexpected turn. While waiting for her husband to arrive on the ferry one Friday afternoon, Riley is confronted by a process server who thrusts papers into her hand. And her husband is nowhere to be found.
So she turns to her island friends for help and support, but it turns out that each of them has their own secrets, and the clock is ticking as the mystery deepens...in a murderous way. Cocktail parties aside, Riley must find a way to investigate the secrets of Belle Island, the husband she might not really know, and the summer that could change everything.
MY THOUGHTS: 3 stars for The Weekenders by Mary Kay Andrews, a pleasant, but pretty predictable love story with a little murder and fraud thrown in to muddy the waters. It is good light reading, which I seem to need right now, perfect for the beach, where unfortunately I am not.
It was not a read that I became deeply involved in, other than occasionally wanting to slap the pre-teen daughter Maggie or give Riley a good shake. If you need something not too demanding for any reason, this is the perfect read. Would I read/listen to more by this author? Probably.
I listened to The Weekenders, narrated by Kathleen McInerney, in audiobook via OverDrive. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own. Please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the 'about' page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com for an explanation of my rating system.
This review and others are also published on my blog sandysbookaday.wordpress.com https://wordpress.com/post/sandysbook...
But lately, Wendell’s promises meant nothing. Just talk. Hollow words meant to placate or stall. Nothing more. What was it her grandfather used to say?
“All hat, no cattle.”
Like today. Wendell had promised—sworn—he’d meet them at the ferry dock at Southpoint in time to make the last boat over to Belle Isle.
It was Memorial Day weekend, a tradition they’d established even before they’d gotten married, kicking off the season on the island where Riley’s family had summered for the past hundred years.
And yet, here she stood. She brushed a stray lock of dark brown hair from her eyes and squinted down at the screen of her smartphone. Still nothing.
Her fingertips raced over the keys.
WHERE R U?
All caps. It was the texting equivalent of screaming. And that’s how she felt, like screaming.
THE BLURB: Some people stay all summer long on the idyllic island of Belle Isle, North Carolina. Others come only for the weekends-and the mix between the regulars and “the weekenders” can sometimes make the sparks fly. Riley Griggs has a season of good times with friends and family ahead of her on Belle Isle when things take an unexpected turn. While waiting for her husband to arrive on the ferry one Friday afternoon, Riley is confronted by a process server who thrusts papers into her hand. And her husband is nowhere to be found.
So she turns to her island friends for help and support, but it turns out that each of them has their own secrets, and the clock is ticking as the mystery deepens...in a murderous way. Cocktail parties aside, Riley must find a way to investigate the secrets of Belle Island, the husband she might not really know, and the summer that could change everything.
MY THOUGHTS: 3 stars for The Weekenders by Mary Kay Andrews, a pleasant, but pretty predictable love story with a little murder and fraud thrown in to muddy the waters. It is good light reading, which I seem to need right now, perfect for the beach, where unfortunately I am not.
It was not a read that I became deeply involved in, other than occasionally wanting to slap the pre-teen daughter Maggie or give Riley a good shake. If you need something not too demanding for any reason, this is the perfect read. Would I read/listen to more by this author? Probably.
I listened to The Weekenders, narrated by Kathleen McInerney, in audiobook via OverDrive. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own. Please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the 'about' page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com for an explanation of my rating system.
This review and others are also published on my blog sandysbookaday.wordpress.com https://wordpress.com/post/sandysbook...
April 20, 2016
The Weekenders was received as part of the Goodreads Firstreads Giveaway.
This book made me sad in so many ways. I had read many of Mary Kay Andrews earlier 'beach reads' and had throughly enjoyed them. Since it had been awhile since I had read one of her books I was excited when I found out I had won an ARC of The Weekenders. The weather was warm and I'd be out of town for a few days - it seemed the perfect time for a fun mindless beach read! Sadly that did not prove to be the case. Instead of light and fun I found this book to be just sad and depressing. The tone was often light and flirty but it really didn't match up with the more serious subject matter and events taking place. The characters felt stereotypical - the female heroine who is oblivious to all that is going wrong around her, a beyond bratty and out of control pre-teen and the overbearing and controlling southern mother. Much of the book also required extreme suspension of disbelief to the point of ridiculousness - too many things occurred that just didn't make any sense.
Originally I thought that the mystery storyline might help save The Weekenders but while it started out as a strong part of the storyline it virtually disappeared to only be abruptly and randomly wrapped up toward the end. Also by the end of the book all issues and concerns had magically been resolved or just disappeared. So I am sad that this book was far from the fun beach read that I was hoping for. I am even sadder that I wasted my time on it.
This book made me sad in so many ways. I had read many of Mary Kay Andrews earlier 'beach reads' and had throughly enjoyed them. Since it had been awhile since I had read one of her books I was excited when I found out I had won an ARC of The Weekenders. The weather was warm and I'd be out of town for a few days - it seemed the perfect time for a fun mindless beach read! Sadly that did not prove to be the case. Instead of light and fun I found this book to be just sad and depressing. The tone was often light and flirty but it really didn't match up with the more serious subject matter and events taking place. The characters felt stereotypical - the female heroine who is oblivious to all that is going wrong around her, a beyond bratty and out of control pre-teen and the overbearing and controlling southern mother. Much of the book also required extreme suspension of disbelief to the point of ridiculousness - too many things occurred that just didn't make any sense.
Originally I thought that the mystery storyline might help save The Weekenders but while it started out as a strong part of the storyline it virtually disappeared to only be abruptly and randomly wrapped up toward the end. Also by the end of the book all issues and concerns had magically been resolved or just disappeared. So I am sad that this book was far from the fun beach read that I was hoping for. I am even sadder that I wasted my time on it.
October 11, 2020
When you have an emergency appendectomy and your loopy brain can’t really focus, you need fluff.
Andrew’s formula for mixing a Southern belle in a terrible pickle with a wacky family and an on-off-on again love interest provided a few hours of entertainment. There were more than a few dead bodies for a Mary Kay read, but all worked to move the plot along. And while one of the perpetrators was a bit of a stretch (more like put aside all common sense), this was an entertaining little trifle.
Beach read or when life is a beach read.
Andrew’s formula for mixing a Southern belle in a terrible pickle with a wacky family and an on-off-on again love interest provided a few hours of entertainment. There were more than a few dead bodies for a Mary Kay read, but all worked to move the plot along. And while one of the perpetrators was a bit of a stretch (more like put aside all common sense), this was an entertaining little trifle.
Beach read or when life is a beach read.
August 13, 2020
“She’s got the face of an angel and the soul of a pit bull–piranha hybrid.”
― Mary Kay Andrews, The Weekenders
Ha! Everybody loved t his! Every one but yours truly here who cannot figure it out.
I tried. I really did
But I was really really bored. I can’t really say a lot about this book because I started to skim and then stopped reading altogether and then started skimming again… I really don’t like not finishing a book although I do have a list of DNF'S.
But the thing that puzzled me about this book is that it’s bestseller because I missing something here. I am still trying to figure out what.
It was way too slow moving for me. Also given that the whole story has a beach location I expected I would maybe be transported there. I adore books that have the ability to transport the reader to the location. And I do like books that are very atmospheric.
But I didn’t get any of that with this one. It wasn’t scary in the slightest. Cozy mystery perhaps? I think it may have been more of a book that would appeal to cozy mystery fans and I am not an excessive reader of the genre so as a result this was not a book I really liked all that much.
But also missing was the element of fun. OK..I guess this book just wasn't for me. I do occasionally adore Women's fiction but the slow pace, unrealistic story line and just overall generic feel put me off. Cannot say I was a fan of this one.
― Mary Kay Andrews, The Weekenders
Ha! Everybody loved t his! Every one but yours truly here who cannot figure it out.
I tried. I really did
But I was really really bored. I can’t really say a lot about this book because I started to skim and then stopped reading altogether and then started skimming again… I really don’t like not finishing a book although I do have a list of DNF'S.
But the thing that puzzled me about this book is that it’s bestseller because I missing something here. I am still trying to figure out what.
It was way too slow moving for me. Also given that the whole story has a beach location I expected I would maybe be transported there. I adore books that have the ability to transport the reader to the location. And I do like books that are very atmospheric.
But I didn’t get any of that with this one. It wasn’t scary in the slightest. Cozy mystery perhaps? I think it may have been more of a book that would appeal to cozy mystery fans and I am not an excessive reader of the genre so as a result this was not a book I really liked all that much.
But also missing was the element of fun. OK..I guess this book just wasn't for me. I do occasionally adore Women's fiction but the slow pace, unrealistic story line and just overall generic feel put me off. Cannot say I was a fan of this one.
June 5, 2016
The motivations of the characters made no sense most of the time. The reactions of the main character seemed really unreasonable for someone whose husband died.
And most strange of all was the scene before the storm at the end. There was an impending storm and they sat around the table talking until it was too late? What a convenient plot device that made absolutely no logic.
What a disappointment for a book on the bestseller lists.
And most strange of all was the scene before the storm at the end. There was an impending storm and they sat around the table talking until it was too late? What a convenient plot device that made absolutely no logic.
What a disappointment for a book on the bestseller lists.
June 12, 2016
irritating. longer than it needed to be. unbelievable. not as good as her other books.
December 6, 2016
A special thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
2016 Best Southern Summer Beach Cover
Head to the North Carolina coast, with Mary Kay Andrews, this spring and summer for a southern mystery, and witty chick lit beach read, THE WEEKENDERS. Combining Mary Kay’s witty style, and Kathy Hogan Trocheck’s (Callahan Garrity Series) mystery, intrigue, and suspense, for an unforgettable journey into the secrets of Belle Island. Best Beach Cover of 2016!
Riley and Wendell Griggs’ marriage is on the rocks. It is Memorial Weekend, and the tradition was kicking off the season on the island on the North Carolina coast, where Riley’s family had summered for the past hundred years.
They had met in college and then Wendell became part of her dad’s booming real estate business. He was the son he had always wanted. Wendell was more about the grand gestures, money--more than his time. He had changed in the last two years. She had known divorce was coming and was prepared to discuss it during this summer vacation.
Riley Nolan Griggs, a former reporter for the local CBS affiliate in Raleigh—she currently was not happy with her husband, and once again he was not on the ferry. Of course the nosy busybody, Andrea Payne, Lily Pulitzer Barbie of Belle Island was on the ferry, bragging about her new Sub-Zero. Maggie her near teen age daughter (almost thirteen) would be disappointed if her father did not show.
On the ferry, Carolina Queen —she spots her old boyfriend, Nate Milas, taking her back to the horrible night in 1992—which ended their relationship. His parents own the ferry and the local eatery in town. Nate (hot, then and now), is now a mega-millionaire, having developed a real estate app—she just discovered he and partners had been recently featured in Fortune.
He could buy and sell the ferry or the entire Belle Isle, she was told by her friends. His father recently died, so possibly he is there to help out his mom. A real life tycoon. Of course, when she was dating him, her mother was not pleased, since he was hired help and not of wealth.
When her hubby doesn’t show —she catches a ride with her friends, Parrish and Ed (attorney) and her baby gay brother, Billy Nolan--irresponsible, drank too much, and a wildly talented unmotivated jazz pianist who worked only when it suited him, with a trust fund. His partner, Scott was a much in demand restaurant designer whose work took him around the world, meeting up later.
Upon arrival to their beautiful summer home, something is wrong. A foreclosure notice. Everything was locked up tight. Riley thought of herself as a strong, competent, modern woman. A hard-hitting former journalist. She had faced down cops, politicians, crooks, Hollywood publicists, even deranged fans; but tonight she did not know if she had it in her to deal with her mother and face what her husband had done. Now, she has no other choice but to stay with her mother, Evelyn.
Where was Wendell? He was not answering his texts.
Wendell was Belle Isle Enterprises, and had taken over the real estate business from his father in law. Soon everyone will know Wendell Griggs who managed to take a thriving family business, and in the space of two short years, driving it to bankruptcy, she soon discovers. From the stalled hotel project, his home, and all the innocent people, family, friends, who had invested in this project. Riley was blindsided. A real estate Ponzi scheme. Bank fraud.
Soon the news comes. Wendell is dead. Murdered. Does it have to do with all his enemies, the people who lost all their money, investing in his schemes? They have no money, no home. Everything is lost. Plus what will happen to the island and all its plans?
Now, Riley has to figure out a way to support herself and her daughter. Her days of TV may be over, since she is over the hill in TV media world. Soon she plays sleuth detective, with her friend Parrish and discovers he was having an affair. More fraud, and misdeeds--what was her husband capable of? Bank accounts cleaned out. Did she even know him?
Their primary home was in Raleigh and their house has sold, and the Sand Dollar Lane home was their second home. Now what? She feels betrayed and stupid. How could an intelligent woman, be sucked into this nightmare? She has to deal with the people on the island, lost investments, her mother, and unhappy daughter, and an investigation into her husband’s murder. There are a number of suspects, including her own family members.
In addition, there is something between she and Nate--tension.. He may be left to clean up Wendell’s mess. Some romance?
From a hurricane, and life’s messy storms-- secrets, lies, betrayal, and second chances. From memories—good and bad—Riley soon learns her past and present does not define her future. She would find the courage to move on—Reinvention; as well as some of the other characters.
For fans of MKA's older books (which I loved), this one will take you back to an island summer escape filled with drama and wit. I love bringing back a mix of contemporary women’s fiction, chick-lit, domestic, mystery, romance, and suspense—a nice combo.
JDCMustReadBooks
2016 Best Southern Summer Beach Cover
Head to the North Carolina coast, with Mary Kay Andrews, this spring and summer for a southern mystery, and witty chick lit beach read, THE WEEKENDERS. Combining Mary Kay’s witty style, and Kathy Hogan Trocheck’s (Callahan Garrity Series) mystery, intrigue, and suspense, for an unforgettable journey into the secrets of Belle Island. Best Beach Cover of 2016!
Riley and Wendell Griggs’ marriage is on the rocks. It is Memorial Weekend, and the tradition was kicking off the season on the island on the North Carolina coast, where Riley’s family had summered for the past hundred years.
They had met in college and then Wendell became part of her dad’s booming real estate business. He was the son he had always wanted. Wendell was more about the grand gestures, money--more than his time. He had changed in the last two years. She had known divorce was coming and was prepared to discuss it during this summer vacation.
Riley Nolan Griggs, a former reporter for the local CBS affiliate in Raleigh—she currently was not happy with her husband, and once again he was not on the ferry. Of course the nosy busybody, Andrea Payne, Lily Pulitzer Barbie of Belle Island was on the ferry, bragging about her new Sub-Zero. Maggie her near teen age daughter (almost thirteen) would be disappointed if her father did not show.
On the ferry, Carolina Queen —she spots her old boyfriend, Nate Milas, taking her back to the horrible night in 1992—which ended their relationship. His parents own the ferry and the local eatery in town. Nate (hot, then and now), is now a mega-millionaire, having developed a real estate app—she just discovered he and partners had been recently featured in Fortune.
He could buy and sell the ferry or the entire Belle Isle, she was told by her friends. His father recently died, so possibly he is there to help out his mom. A real life tycoon. Of course, when she was dating him, her mother was not pleased, since he was hired help and not of wealth.
When her hubby doesn’t show —she catches a ride with her friends, Parrish and Ed (attorney) and her baby gay brother, Billy Nolan--irresponsible, drank too much, and a wildly talented unmotivated jazz pianist who worked only when it suited him, with a trust fund. His partner, Scott was a much in demand restaurant designer whose work took him around the world, meeting up later.
Upon arrival to their beautiful summer home, something is wrong. A foreclosure notice. Everything was locked up tight. Riley thought of herself as a strong, competent, modern woman. A hard-hitting former journalist. She had faced down cops, politicians, crooks, Hollywood publicists, even deranged fans; but tonight she did not know if she had it in her to deal with her mother and face what her husband had done. Now, she has no other choice but to stay with her mother, Evelyn.
Where was Wendell? He was not answering his texts.
Wendell was Belle Isle Enterprises, and had taken over the real estate business from his father in law. Soon everyone will know Wendell Griggs who managed to take a thriving family business, and in the space of two short years, driving it to bankruptcy, she soon discovers. From the stalled hotel project, his home, and all the innocent people, family, friends, who had invested in this project. Riley was blindsided. A real estate Ponzi scheme. Bank fraud.
Soon the news comes. Wendell is dead. Murdered. Does it have to do with all his enemies, the people who lost all their money, investing in his schemes? They have no money, no home. Everything is lost. Plus what will happen to the island and all its plans?
Now, Riley has to figure out a way to support herself and her daughter. Her days of TV may be over, since she is over the hill in TV media world. Soon she plays sleuth detective, with her friend Parrish and discovers he was having an affair. More fraud, and misdeeds--what was her husband capable of? Bank accounts cleaned out. Did she even know him?
Their primary home was in Raleigh and their house has sold, and the Sand Dollar Lane home was their second home. Now what? She feels betrayed and stupid. How could an intelligent woman, be sucked into this nightmare? She has to deal with the people on the island, lost investments, her mother, and unhappy daughter, and an investigation into her husband’s murder. There are a number of suspects, including her own family members.
In addition, there is something between she and Nate--tension.. He may be left to clean up Wendell’s mess. Some romance?
From a hurricane, and life’s messy storms-- secrets, lies, betrayal, and second chances. From memories—good and bad—Riley soon learns her past and present does not define her future. She would find the courage to move on—Reinvention; as well as some of the other characters.
For fans of MKA's older books (which I loved), this one will take you back to an island summer escape filled with drama and wit. I love bringing back a mix of contemporary women’s fiction, chick-lit, domestic, mystery, romance, and suspense—a nice combo.
JDCMustReadBooks
February 8, 2017
Release Date: May 17, 2016
:: 5 Pretty Little Stars ::
This is the perfect beach read! Mary Kay Andrews has the unique ability to hook her readers into her stories from the get-go and this is no different with her newest novel, The Weekenders! Having read nearly all of her books, I knew when I saw this one that I had to read it. And I am so glad that I did because I absolutely loved this book. It has quite a bit of drama, mystery, and intrigue, but all of this is mixed together gives you a story that will keep you interested all the way through. This book is about 454 pages. Normally, with this amount of pages I would need a few days to read it. But because I was so enthralled in this novel I read it in one day!!! That is how good it is!
So this story is about a woman named Riley who has a summer home on Belle Isle (a sweet and quaint island off of the NC coast). Her family also lives on the island, so when she unexpectedly loses her husband (who was murdered) she has a lot of moral support to turn to. Unfortunately for Riley, she has more than just the murder of her husband to worry about. This is because her husband has left her and her daughter, Maggie, high and dry without a penny in the world. Her beautiful house has a foreclosure sign on it, her money is all tapped out at the bank, and she has no husband to get the answers from. What is supposed to be a summer of fun turns into a downright nightmare for Riley and her family as the begin to uncover the hidden secrets that her late husband was hiding from them all. And to crack the case, they all need to keep open minds and hearts.
Overall, I loved this story. It is an easy 5 star read for me and really quenches my thirst for an amazing chick lit book. Mary Kay Andrews knows how to draw her readers in and hook them until the last page. She has a brilliant writing style that never changes leaving her fans always feeling satisfied. On top of this, she brings her characters and the setting to life making us feel as if we are truly a part of the story. Fans of chick lit, mysteries, and Mary Kay Andrews will definitely want to pick up this novel!
:: 5 Pretty Little Stars ::
This is the perfect beach read! Mary Kay Andrews has the unique ability to hook her readers into her stories from the get-go and this is no different with her newest novel, The Weekenders! Having read nearly all of her books, I knew when I saw this one that I had to read it. And I am so glad that I did because I absolutely loved this book. It has quite a bit of drama, mystery, and intrigue, but all of this is mixed together gives you a story that will keep you interested all the way through. This book is about 454 pages. Normally, with this amount of pages I would need a few days to read it. But because I was so enthralled in this novel I read it in one day!!! That is how good it is!
So this story is about a woman named Riley who has a summer home on Belle Isle (a sweet and quaint island off of the NC coast). Her family also lives on the island, so when she unexpectedly loses her husband (who was murdered) she has a lot of moral support to turn to. Unfortunately for Riley, she has more than just the murder of her husband to worry about. This is because her husband has left her and her daughter, Maggie, high and dry without a penny in the world. Her beautiful house has a foreclosure sign on it, her money is all tapped out at the bank, and she has no husband to get the answers from. What is supposed to be a summer of fun turns into a downright nightmare for Riley and her family as the begin to uncover the hidden secrets that her late husband was hiding from them all. And to crack the case, they all need to keep open minds and hearts.
Overall, I loved this story. It is an easy 5 star read for me and really quenches my thirst for an amazing chick lit book. Mary Kay Andrews knows how to draw her readers in and hook them until the last page. She has a brilliant writing style that never changes leaving her fans always feeling satisfied. On top of this, she brings her characters and the setting to life making us feel as if we are truly a part of the story. Fans of chick lit, mysteries, and Mary Kay Andrews will definitely want to pick up this novel!
June 13, 2016
I am extremely disappointed. This was one of the most boring book ever written and so full of plot holes and then the whodunit reveal was so ridiculous and anti-climatic. I listened to the audiobook, so I apologize if I misspell names/places.
1) I hated Nate and Riley - there was no chemistry and she supposedly hated his guts for ruining her debutante ball and then it's off and on and she was mad at her husband for developing Pirate's Point and then suddenly she's ok that Nate is developing it.
2) If her husband and Melanie fraudulently took out a mortgage on her Sand Dollar Lane mansion and opened dummy corporations in Riley's name, then how was it legal to auction the house?
3) The dumb-country bumpkin sheriff cliche and FBI agent would not be revealing that much information and they certainly wouldn't take weeks to search the Belle Isle Enterprises office, weeks after they suspected foul play in Wendall's murder (allowing Riley and Parrish plenty of time to snoop themselves).
4) Billy was drinking and driving the golf cart and everyone was fine with his drinking until the last 1/4 of the book - but why would there still be alcohol available at Shutters, if his mom and sister were worried about his drinking. It was very blasé for a serious topic.
5) I cannot condone unprotected sex - although it wasn't implied either way.
6) Rue killing Wendall was so lame - and then she just "dies" in the lame storm. Followed by the most disjointed and boring epilogue. Ugh.
Seriously, what happened, Mary Kay Andrews?
1) I hated Nate and Riley - there was no chemistry and she supposedly hated his guts for ruining her debutante ball and then it's off and on and she was mad at her husband for developing Pirate's Point and then suddenly she's ok that Nate is developing it.
2) If her husband and Melanie fraudulently took out a mortgage on her Sand Dollar Lane mansion and opened dummy corporations in Riley's name, then how was it legal to auction the house?
3) The dumb-country bumpkin sheriff cliche and FBI agent would not be revealing that much information and they certainly wouldn't take weeks to search the Belle Isle Enterprises office, weeks after they suspected foul play in Wendall's murder (allowing Riley and Parrish plenty of time to snoop themselves).
4) Billy was drinking and driving the golf cart and everyone was fine with his drinking until the last 1/4 of the book - but why would there still be alcohol available at Shutters, if his mom and sister were worried about his drinking. It was very blasé for a serious topic.
5) I cannot condone unprotected sex - although it wasn't implied either way.
6) Rue killing Wendall was so lame - and then she just "dies" in the lame storm. Followed by the most disjointed and boring epilogue. Ugh.
Seriously, what happened, Mary Kay Andrews?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 20, 2016
I'm all for a breezy beach read but this book - what was the point? Listen to the top 1% whine? Listen to a horribly behaved 12 year old disrespect her entire family? Watch everyone enable alcoholic Billy? No thank you, not my idea of a good read.
May 25, 2016
First, being completely honest, I must state that I am a huge fan of Mary Kay Andrews. I read everything she writes and I feel truly fortunate to have had the opportunity to read and review her newest novel. Now on to the important stuff.
I think "The Weekenders" is the perfect summer read. Why, you ask? First, it's not all fluff. The author handles some tough topics and, second, this book moves slow enough for you to think about it and quickly enough so you don't get bogged down in the tough topics.
The plot is pretty easy to understand. But the characters are complex. For example, Riley is a modern woman whose world has centered around her family and an island her entire life. When her life implodes, it's very interesting to read how she handles it. The same is true for her brother and her mother and her daughter -- on and on. The plot is multi-faceted and while, not complex, is a little twisted.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the pleasure of reading and reviewing this book.
I think "The Weekenders" is the perfect summer read. Why, you ask? First, it's not all fluff. The author handles some tough topics and, second, this book moves slow enough for you to think about it and quickly enough so you don't get bogged down in the tough topics.
The plot is pretty easy to understand. But the characters are complex. For example, Riley is a modern woman whose world has centered around her family and an island her entire life. When her life implodes, it's very interesting to read how she handles it. The same is true for her brother and her mother and her daughter -- on and on. The plot is multi-faceted and while, not complex, is a little twisted.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the pleasure of reading and reviewing this book.
November 15, 2020
Another really good book. I enjoyed it entirely. Loved the main characters and the location. MKA always does such a good job of the beach read but this one is also a mystery which you don't figure out until end of the book. I was intrigued all the way through to find out "who done it". This is a light read but with such good characters I could not put it down. I have read almost all of MKA's books and I've have loved them all.
January 5, 2026
The Weekenders by Mary Kay Andrews is a contemporary novel set on Tybee Island, Georgia, in modern-day coastal South Carolina/Georgia low-country life. It follows a woman whose seemingly perfect life starts to unravel after her husband’s death, forcing her to face secrets, betrayal, and starting over. The beach-town setting adds charm and contrast to the heavier themes, making it both emotional and engaging. It’s a good mix of drama, mystery, and fresh starts, especially if you like stories set by the coast.
June 20, 2016
I've read worse, so I guess I should give it two stars. There was so much hype around this book and so many 4 & 5 stars that I gave it a try. Who are these people who read these books and think they're so amazing?! How is this by a best selling author? The writing is so juvenile. Disjointed. Filled will sections that are random filler that don't add anything to the story. The sections that should be important are written so quickly that they left me scratching my head as to why the scene was so rushed. None of the characters were particularly likable, and the 12-yr-old was horrible but only because her mother allowed her to be, which drove me crazy. There were so many inconstancies and improbabilities. It really felt like the author said, "I have this great idea for a story," and then asked her teenaged daughter to write it.
August 24, 2016
This book started off with what I call RWPP- Rich White People Problems. I find it hard to achieve sympathy when someone who lives a life of luxury suddenly has a problem and suddenly crumbles under pressure because they have to become one of us regular folk.
It started off okay for me, but the main character, Riley, was extremely unlikable. Her grudge with Nate was beyond stupid (#firstworldproblem) and then halfway through the book she suddenly turns into a flip-flopper with her feelings on people and it utterly annoyed me. And DON'T get me started on that ending. No.
Skip this one.
It started off okay for me, but the main character, Riley, was extremely unlikable. Her grudge with Nate was beyond stupid (#firstworldproblem) and then halfway through the book she suddenly turns into a flip-flopper with her feelings on people and it utterly annoyed me. And DON'T get me started on that ending. No.
Skip this one.
June 22, 2016
Meh. I didn't love this MKA at all. Set on Bell Isle, North Carolina, it's the story of a character named Riley Nolan whose husband, Wendell, has been murdered because he's a terrible person and probably got what he deserved. Along the way of figuring out what to do now that he's dead and has squandered her inheritance, Riley starts a relationship with a man from her past and works to find a new job and life for herself and her daughter.
There are just a lot of implausible plot points in this book, not to mention that none of the characters are particularly lovable. I feel bad for Riley but she doesn't strike me as someone I would really, really care about... her daughter is very annoying, her brother has his own SERIOUSLY AWFUL flaws, her mom's basically a hag... just not a gang I feel like is realistically worth hanging out with. I expect a lot more lighthearted fun from good old MKA so if you're hoping for one of her regular, delicious tales, then you may be a wee bit disappointed like I was. I read til the end but basically was ready for it to be over.
There are just a lot of implausible plot points in this book, not to mention that none of the characters are particularly lovable. I feel bad for Riley but she doesn't strike me as someone I would really, really care about... her daughter is very annoying, her brother has his own SERIOUSLY AWFUL flaws, her mom's basically a hag... just not a gang I feel like is realistically worth hanging out with. I expect a lot more lighthearted fun from good old MKA so if you're hoping for one of her regular, delicious tales, then you may be a wee bit disappointed like I was. I read til the end but basically was ready for it to be over.
December 5, 2016
I may have shaken my head a hundred times while reading this book. I just don't even know what to say. The POV changes multiple times (we have the main female character, Riley, her brother, and her love interest from when she was a teenager, Nate, and Riley's best friend whose name eludes me right now).
The flow was tedious and trying to loop a romance in with a mystery ultimately did not work. I think Andrews was going towards a more cozy mystery feel, and there was just too much going on for any one genre she was aiming for to fully work. Good news is that I was able to whiz through this book. Probably because I did not sit and think too hard at the implausible plots.
Riley, her 12 year old daughter Maggy (seriously the spelling of people's names in this book was maddening) and her husband are supposed to go to the family summer get away on Belle Isle, North Carolina. Belle Isle is a place for the truly rich (when you hear how much some of the homes cost I was left gobsmacked) and for those who want to pretend to be part of the in crowd for summer. Readers quickly find that not all things are as they seem in Riley's life and when she is left dealing with the aftermath of goings on that her husband did not tell her about, Riley is left trying to put everything back together.
Here's the thing. I was sympathetic to a certain extent to Riley. But, she's supposedly 41 I think at the beginning of this novel. And I had a hard time really mustering up any sympathy when you find out what was going on right under her nose that she had no idea about. Also Riley's family (her mother and brother) also not that bright. I don't want to give too much away. But all of them just allowed themselves to be taken advantage of, though in Riley's brother's case, he had no real choice. So everyone trying to defend the guilty party was a bit too much for me.
Speaking of Riley's brother, his whole story-line was a do not pass go for me at all. I really hated how the ending shook out with no real repercussions for what this character did.
Same issue I had with Riley's daughter. She was nasty from the beginning almost to the end. Since these are fictional characters you can't tell Riley that she's allowing herself to be stepped all over by her mother and daughter, but she was throughout the book. I also didn't see a real change between them almost to the end when the two of them were trying to go on from things.
I honestly wish that Andrews had left the romance out of the book, because I could not stand the character of Nate at all. He was overbearing and I too thought it was tacky with how fast Andrews had this character and Riley run around all in love with each other. Nate trying to police Maggy rubbed me wrong too. I just think there was a lot going on there and trying to slap two people together like this with nothing in common really didn't work.
I don't know why Andrews included the best friend in this at all. I felt like I was supposed to be reading between the lines with her and her husband and just gave up.
The writing was not really working for me at all. Due to the character of Maggy having diabetes I hope you like reading about her food restrictions and how much she tests her blood. It was just boring. Same with the constant fighting between that character and Riley. And Riley snooping to undercover nefarious goings on and her starting to catch feelings for Nate. There was no real build up to anything. You are just told things.
The flow was off once the mystery aspect of things entered into the main story. You go from a breezy beach romance read to a darker storyline that Andrews could not pull off.
The setting of Belle Isle read as a place for the filthy rich to go. I honestly could not get over how much this family was throwing around their money. There never seemed to be any place that they could all go to besides riding the ferry back and forth.
The ending made me shrug both shoulders. I still don't get what Riley's job is at all. Andrews was so light on details, but happy ending here we come.
The flow was tedious and trying to loop a romance in with a mystery ultimately did not work. I think Andrews was going towards a more cozy mystery feel, and there was just too much going on for any one genre she was aiming for to fully work. Good news is that I was able to whiz through this book. Probably because I did not sit and think too hard at the implausible plots.
Riley, her 12 year old daughter Maggy (seriously the spelling of people's names in this book was maddening) and her husband are supposed to go to the family summer get away on Belle Isle, North Carolina. Belle Isle is a place for the truly rich (when you hear how much some of the homes cost I was left gobsmacked) and for those who want to pretend to be part of the in crowd for summer. Readers quickly find that not all things are as they seem in Riley's life and when she is left dealing with the aftermath of goings on that her husband did not tell her about, Riley is left trying to put everything back together.
Here's the thing. I was sympathetic to a certain extent to Riley. But, she's supposedly 41 I think at the beginning of this novel. And I had a hard time really mustering up any sympathy when you find out what was going on right under her nose that she had no idea about. Also Riley's family (her mother and brother) also not that bright. I don't want to give too much away. But all of them just allowed themselves to be taken advantage of, though in Riley's brother's case, he had no real choice. So everyone trying to defend the guilty party was a bit too much for me.
Speaking of Riley's brother, his whole story-line was a do not pass go for me at all. I really hated how the ending shook out with no real repercussions for what this character did.
Same issue I had with Riley's daughter. She was nasty from the beginning almost to the end. Since these are fictional characters you can't tell Riley that she's allowing herself to be stepped all over by her mother and daughter, but she was throughout the book. I also didn't see a real change between them almost to the end when the two of them were trying to go on from things.
I honestly wish that Andrews had left the romance out of the book, because I could not stand the character of Nate at all. He was overbearing and I too thought it was tacky with how fast Andrews had this character and Riley run around all in love with each other. Nate trying to police Maggy rubbed me wrong too. I just think there was a lot going on there and trying to slap two people together like this with nothing in common really didn't work.
I don't know why Andrews included the best friend in this at all. I felt like I was supposed to be reading between the lines with her and her husband and just gave up.
The writing was not really working for me at all. Due to the character of Maggy having diabetes I hope you like reading about her food restrictions and how much she tests her blood. It was just boring. Same with the constant fighting between that character and Riley. And Riley snooping to undercover nefarious goings on and her starting to catch feelings for Nate. There was no real build up to anything. You are just told things.
The flow was off once the mystery aspect of things entered into the main story. You go from a breezy beach romance read to a darker storyline that Andrews could not pull off.
The setting of Belle Isle read as a place for the filthy rich to go. I honestly could not get over how much this family was throwing around their money. There never seemed to be any place that they could all go to besides riding the ferry back and forth.
The ending made me shrug both shoulders. I still don't get what Riley's job is at all. Andrews was so light on details, but happy ending here we come.
April 29, 2017
I was looking for an easy read that I didn't need to invest anything in and could let go of after the last page. A murder mystery that takes place on a fancy island seemed perfect. And while I enjoyed it a bit like you enjoy a made-for-TV movie, it reminded me why I don't normally read these types of books.
Details, pacing and eventually all common sense fall by the wayside in favor of a smooth path to a fairytale ending. Unfortunately, the story was not amusing enough for me to overlook this.
2 stars and a lesson learned.
Details, pacing and eventually all common sense fall by the wayside in favor of a smooth path to a fairytale ending. Unfortunately, the story was not amusing enough for me to overlook this.
2 stars and a lesson learned.
May 18, 2016
Favorite Quotes:
“Women greeted each other with that peculiar high pitched Southern squeal of delight. 'Heeeeyyy!' What did Wendell call it? Oh yes. The mating call of the ivory-breasted Tri-Delt."
"There's a woman who does divorce law whom I like a lot... Susan, something. I can't remember her last name. She's got the face of an angel and the soul of a pit bull-piranha hybrid... You want a divorce lawyer who'll make the other side's testicles shrink just at the mention of her name."
"I am that tragic cliché - a short, sassy, gay man. Doomed to spend my life shopping in the boys' department at J. Crew."
"Riley leaned against the railing and inhaled deeply - this, she thought, might be her favorite summer perfume - diesel fumes mixed with salt spray with top notes of sunscreen and popcorn."
"That's what we call her. Belle Isle Barbie... Because she's skinny and has plastic boobs."
My Review:
I was immediately pulled into this engrossing and lushly written tale from page one. I became an instant fan of this highly skilled author and feel an intense urge to toss out my calendar and read every word she has and will ever put to paper. The characters were quirky, cleverly devised, and multifaceted. They were funny, frustrating, endearing, and well drawn. I was intensely sympathetic to the main character of Riley, although her weak parenting towards reining in her manipulative, disrespectful, and obnoxious daughter was rather annoying and bothersome. Regardless, Ms. Andrews did a superb job of putting me in Riley's head throughout this well-paced mystery. I felt her disappointments and regrets, my body held her tension as she struggled with the vexing mess her husband had left in his wake. The story contained a murder mystery with several subplots running in several directions; all of which were deeply intriguing, amusing, and lavishly detailed. I could smell the sea air, hear the thunder, and could swear I felt the mosquitoes biting and humidity frizzing my hair. Sigh, it was perfection.
“Women greeted each other with that peculiar high pitched Southern squeal of delight. 'Heeeeyyy!' What did Wendell call it? Oh yes. The mating call of the ivory-breasted Tri-Delt."
"There's a woman who does divorce law whom I like a lot... Susan, something. I can't remember her last name. She's got the face of an angel and the soul of a pit bull-piranha hybrid... You want a divorce lawyer who'll make the other side's testicles shrink just at the mention of her name."
"I am that tragic cliché - a short, sassy, gay man. Doomed to spend my life shopping in the boys' department at J. Crew."
"Riley leaned against the railing and inhaled deeply - this, she thought, might be her favorite summer perfume - diesel fumes mixed with salt spray with top notes of sunscreen and popcorn."
"That's what we call her. Belle Isle Barbie... Because she's skinny and has plastic boobs."
My Review:
I was immediately pulled into this engrossing and lushly written tale from page one. I became an instant fan of this highly skilled author and feel an intense urge to toss out my calendar and read every word she has and will ever put to paper. The characters were quirky, cleverly devised, and multifaceted. They were funny, frustrating, endearing, and well drawn. I was intensely sympathetic to the main character of Riley, although her weak parenting towards reining in her manipulative, disrespectful, and obnoxious daughter was rather annoying and bothersome. Regardless, Ms. Andrews did a superb job of putting me in Riley's head throughout this well-paced mystery. I felt her disappointments and regrets, my body held her tension as she struggled with the vexing mess her husband had left in his wake. The story contained a murder mystery with several subplots running in several directions; all of which were deeply intriguing, amusing, and lavishly detailed. I could smell the sea air, hear the thunder, and could swear I felt the mosquitoes biting and humidity frizzing my hair. Sigh, it was perfection.
August 19, 2024
The writing is good, but the characters are a mess
July 15, 2023
*I received a free copy of this book from the publisher through Goodreads. This is an honest review.*
This book was a rollercoaster for me in terms of how I felt about it. The beginning starts off a bit shaky and boring–the main character is angry because her soon-to-be-ex-husband hasn’t shown up for a weekend trip where they’re going to tell their daughter about their upcoming divorce. Then, a murder happens! It starts to even out in the middle, and I enjoyed finding out all the family secrets and drama. But then, everything is wrapped up in a pretty bow in the end, which just didn’t fit the story. There were no real consequences for many of the characters who did horrible things, and it didn’t set well with me. So, in the end, I thought this book was only okay, even if the story was fairly enjoyable for most of the book.
What I most liked was being able to take a closer look at each of the characters and see if they might have had a reason to commit murder; the points of view change occasionally within the story, which I enjoyed a lot. I wasn’t a huge fan of the main character, Riley, so it was nice to get a break from her and get into another character’s head. There were some red herrings and leads that didn’t pan out, which is fine and typical for a mystery, but I wish they weren’t left completely hanging. Riley’s friend makes some ominous comment about her own marriage that never went anywhere, which I wish were explained better.
The setting was also lovely. Having grown up very close to a coast and now living in the Midwest, I miss (real) beaches, so I love books that take place on islands or near the ocean. I thought the island was beautifully described, and I loved how the family drama so intensely revolved around the island.
Overall, this is a fine book if you don’t want anything too serious. I wouldn’t go out of my way to read it or recommend it, but it’s an easy, entertaining read.
Also posted on Purple People Readers.
This book was a rollercoaster for me in terms of how I felt about it. The beginning starts off a bit shaky and boring–the main character is angry because her soon-to-be-ex-husband hasn’t shown up for a weekend trip where they’re going to tell their daughter about their upcoming divorce. Then, a murder happens! It starts to even out in the middle, and I enjoyed finding out all the family secrets and drama. But then, everything is wrapped up in a pretty bow in the end, which just didn’t fit the story. There were no real consequences for many of the characters who did horrible things, and it didn’t set well with me. So, in the end, I thought this book was only okay, even if the story was fairly enjoyable for most of the book.
What I most liked was being able to take a closer look at each of the characters and see if they might have had a reason to commit murder; the points of view change occasionally within the story, which I enjoyed a lot. I wasn’t a huge fan of the main character, Riley, so it was nice to get a break from her and get into another character’s head. There were some red herrings and leads that didn’t pan out, which is fine and typical for a mystery, but I wish they weren’t left completely hanging. Riley’s friend makes some ominous comment about her own marriage that never went anywhere, which I wish were explained better.
The setting was also lovely. Having grown up very close to a coast and now living in the Midwest, I miss (real) beaches, so I love books that take place on islands or near the ocean. I thought the island was beautifully described, and I loved how the family drama so intensely revolved around the island.
Overall, this is a fine book if you don’t want anything too serious. I wouldn’t go out of my way to read it or recommend it, but it’s an easy, entertaining read.
Also posted on Purple People Readers.
March 5, 2017
*2 stars* (Addicts have no objectivity - it probably deserves 1, but hey, I finished it)
This is going to be a strange review, but some of you may have your own guilty pleasure books and can relate to it.
I used to love Mary Kay Andrews books, but lately they have taken a drastic turn for the worse. The dialogue is often mindless drivel and the plots are so predictable that I have difficulty admitting to having read her summer books of the past few years (sorry MKA.) Why do I do this to myself???
Answer... because they are ultra light, mindless beach reads that I look forward to each summer. They are set in southern locales where I wish I was vacationing. They can be fun and hilarious because the characters make choices that no sane person would ever dream of making. Guilty pleasures.
Do they make me want to pull my hair out at times? Most definitely. However this book, in particular, infuriated me in so many places that I lost count. It's definitely her poorest book to date.
They are my summer crack. I don't understand it. I can't help myself. But the guilty pleasure is becoming a whole lot less pleasurable. Maybe one summer I'll kick the habit, but in the meantime I'll keep on reading and hoping that they'll return to the quality of her early books. Sigh.
*Note* These books are New York Times Bestsellers. Go figure. There are readers out there who love them enough to actually buy them.
This is going to be a strange review, but some of you may have your own guilty pleasure books and can relate to it.
I used to love Mary Kay Andrews books, but lately they have taken a drastic turn for the worse. The dialogue is often mindless drivel and the plots are so predictable that I have difficulty admitting to having read her summer books of the past few years (sorry MKA.) Why do I do this to myself???
Answer... because they are ultra light, mindless beach reads that I look forward to each summer. They are set in southern locales where I wish I was vacationing. They can be fun and hilarious because the characters make choices that no sane person would ever dream of making. Guilty pleasures.
Do they make me want to pull my hair out at times? Most definitely. However this book, in particular, infuriated me in so many places that I lost count. It's definitely her poorest book to date.
They are my summer crack. I don't understand it. I can't help myself. But the guilty pleasure is becoming a whole lot less pleasurable. Maybe one summer I'll kick the habit, but in the meantime I'll keep on reading and hoping that they'll return to the quality of her early books. Sigh.
*Note* These books are New York Times Bestsellers. Go figure. There are readers out there who love them enough to actually buy them.
July 5, 2016
When I first started this book, I thought I was really going to like it. It reminded me of a Liane Moriarty novel. But the further along I got, the more I disliked it. I didn't like the characters. They were spoiled, rich brats for the most part. And the more I got to know them, the more they grated on my nerves. The only person I cared about was the AA counselor who was killed and that was like this side story. No one else cared about him. But I'm supposed to care for all these trust fund babies? These immoral characters? Not happening.
And then the author throws a hurricane in at the very end and as the sheriff is telling everyone to evacuate he kind of says "oh, by the way, here's who killed your husband." Wow. How anticlimactic.
I'm so glad I checked this out at the library and didn't waste my money.
And then the author throws a hurricane in at the very end and as the sheriff is telling everyone to evacuate he kind of says "oh, by the way, here's who killed your husband." Wow. How anticlimactic.
I'm so glad I checked this out at the library and didn't waste my money.
July 2, 2016
3.5 stars
I won this book as a Goodreads giveaway.
Part chick-lit and part mystery this is the perfect book to toss in your beach bag this summer. Riley and her daughter Maggy arrive on the island of Belle Isle in North Carolina to spend a relaxing summer with friends and family only to find her husband missing and their home in foreclosure. The next day a body washes ashore, and their plans for a fun summer at the beach disappears.
Filled with an eclectic cast of characters there's humor, family secrets, intrigue, and a murder to solve to keep things interesting. Make no mistake, this is light summer reading so it's best to not look too deeply into the plot. My one criticism is I wish MKA had made Maggy less obnoxious (even for a teenager) and Riley a stronger parent figure.
I won this book as a Goodreads giveaway.
Part chick-lit and part mystery this is the perfect book to toss in your beach bag this summer. Riley and her daughter Maggy arrive on the island of Belle Isle in North Carolina to spend a relaxing summer with friends and family only to find her husband missing and their home in foreclosure. The next day a body washes ashore, and their plans for a fun summer at the beach disappears.
Filled with an eclectic cast of characters there's humor, family secrets, intrigue, and a murder to solve to keep things interesting. Make no mistake, this is light summer reading so it's best to not look too deeply into the plot. My one criticism is I wish MKA had made Maggy less obnoxious (even for a teenager) and Riley a stronger parent figure.
June 9, 2016
Seriously flawed.
April 12, 2017
Didn't believe the story or the characters. A disappointment.
May 30, 2016
When I say this is the perfect read, I mean that you will stay on the beach all day until you have finished reading it! You might find yourself a little burnt once you have finished! I thought that this story had a different spin than what Andrews usually writes, but I was pleasantly surprised when I realized I was reading a mystery and a loveable chick lit novel. Riley Griggs is on her way to the coast of North Carolina when her world starts to fall apart: she runs into her ex-boyfriend, her husband is a no show for their family vacation, and her much loved beach house has been foreclosed. From this point, you are hooked and it only gets better from here. This book tackles some tough topics, so please do not think that because I said it was the perfect beach read that it’s all light and fluffy. Riley and her daughter, Maggy, have a tough road ahead of them once they learn of Wendell’s murder. However, as always, Andrews makes readers feel right at home.
Riley’s family is very chaotic, but tight. They support and care for each other, even if getting on each other’s nerves while doing it. It was most interesting to me to see how Riley, her daughter, her mother, and her brother handle the imploding catastrophe. Riley is a modern woman who does what she can to hold her life together as it crumbles all around her. Her relationship with Maggy was one of my favorite things to watch unfold. She is very concerned for Maggy’s well-being as everything begins to crumble around them, obviously, and even though Riley is fed up with her lying husband, she tries her best to keep her daughter from being more hurt than she already is. Riley was a great leading character and even better mom! I loved every piece of this book! Please do yourself a favor and introduce your senses to Mary Kay Andrews, if you haven’t already done so.
***A free copy of this book was provided to me by the publishers at St. Martin’s Press in exchange for my honest review***
Riley’s family is very chaotic, but tight. They support and care for each other, even if getting on each other’s nerves while doing it. It was most interesting to me to see how Riley, her daughter, her mother, and her brother handle the imploding catastrophe. Riley is a modern woman who does what she can to hold her life together as it crumbles all around her. Her relationship with Maggy was one of my favorite things to watch unfold. She is very concerned for Maggy’s well-being as everything begins to crumble around them, obviously, and even though Riley is fed up with her lying husband, she tries her best to keep her daughter from being more hurt than she already is. Riley was a great leading character and even better mom! I loved every piece of this book! Please do yourself a favor and introduce your senses to Mary Kay Andrews, if you haven’t already done so.
***A free copy of this book was provided to me by the publishers at St. Martin’s Press in exchange for my honest review***
July 12, 2016
What a great book to read on holiday- there is a hint of romance and a hint of a mystery. Set on a wonderful island where we’d all love to be spending some time this summer.
Riley is waiting for her husband to turn up to their retreat when she receives papers for foreclosure on their property and news that her finances are very precarious.
I love books set in such an idyllic setting as you really lose yourself in the scenery and can imagine yourself there. The characters are all really interesting and most are very engaging. The odd one or two are questionable which only adds to the story.
Riley needs to figure out what is happening and how she’s going to move forward.
With many thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for the chance to read this one.
Riley is waiting for her husband to turn up to their retreat when she receives papers for foreclosure on their property and news that her finances are very precarious.
I love books set in such an idyllic setting as you really lose yourself in the scenery and can imagine yourself there. The characters are all really interesting and most are very engaging. The odd one or two are questionable which only adds to the story.
Riley needs to figure out what is happening and how she’s going to move forward.
With many thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for the chance to read this one.
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