Author: Mary Kay Andrews
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Publication Date: May 3, 2022
Book Description: Hattie Kavanaugh went to work restoring homes for Kavanaugh & Son Restorations at eighteen, married the boss’s son at twenty, and became a widow at twenty-five. Now, she’s passionate about her work, but that’s the only passion in her life. “Never love something that can’t love you back,” is advice her father-in-law gives her, but Hattie doesn’t follow it and falls head-over-heels for a money pit of a house. She’s determined to make it work, but disaster after disaster occurs, and Hattie’s dream might cost Kavanaugh & Son their livelihood. Hattie needs money, and fast.
When a slick Hollywood producer shows up in her hometown of Savannah, Georgia, she gets a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: star in a beach house renovation reality show called The Homewreckers, cast against a male lead who may be a love interest, or may be the ultimate antagonist. Soon, there’s more at stake than bad pipes and dry rot: during the demolition, evidence comes to light that points to the mysterious disappearance of a young wife and mother years before.
With a burned out detective investigating the case, an arsonist on the loose, two men playing with her emotions, and layers upon layers of vintage wallpaper causing havoc, it’s a question of who will flip, who will flop, and if Hattie will ever get her happily-ever-after.
Rating: 4 Stars
Review: I have come longing for summer, just to read some of my favorite authors, and Mary Kay Andrews is definitely one of them. A little mystery, romance and comedy, Andrews typical style, are in surplus with her latest novel.
Hattie is a widow of 7 years at only 32. The only job she knows is restoring old homes of Savannah. When a flip goes badly , she is a offered a reality show to do what she knows best, rehab a house. With a ton of hesitation she agrees to help recoup her losses of the last disaster. This is where the story get’s rolling.
As you can imagine, anything that you can think of goes wrong including finding the dead body of a beloved teacher that went missing when she was in high school. With the town against her and setting her up for disasters again and again all within a tight work schedule makes for the comedy in this book.
This is not my favorite of Mary Kay Andrews, but even though it is not a favorite I am so glad to read another book from Andrews. This will make you smile and is a great start to the summer reading season.
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an Advanced Reader’s Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Obsessed Bookaholic 