Thursday, September 1, 2022

Book Review: The Homewreckers by Mary Kay Andrews


 
Pages: 448
Genre: Adult Fiction
Pub. Date: May 3, 2022
Publisher: St. Martin's
Source: Publisher for review
My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
 
 
Goodreads says, "Summer begins with Mary Kay Andrews, in this delightful summer listen about flipping houses, and finding true love. Hattie Kavanaugh went to work helping clean up restored homes for Kavanaugh & Son Restorations at 18; married the boss’s son at 20; and was only 25 when her husband, Hank, was killed in a motorcycle accident.  Broken hearted, but determined to continue the business of their dreams, she takes the life insurance money, buys a small house in a gentrifying neighborhood, flips it, then puts the money into her next project. But that house is a disaster and a money-loser, which rocks her confidence for years to come. Then, Hattie 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. It's a question of who will flip, and who will flop, and will Hattie ever get her happily-ever-after.  Filled with Mary Kay Andrews's trademark wit, warmth, junking trips, and house porn, The Homewreckers is a summer beach delight."

 

Hattie Kavanaugh is a young widow who works for her now deceased husband's family flipping homes near Savannah, Georgia.  It's been seven years since her husband tragically died and she really hasn't moved on. She is really short for cash, so when Home Place TV Network contacts her with a possible TV show in the works, starring her, she reluctantly agrees. It's not really her thing, but she needs the money.  When they start flipping a historic home on Tybee Island, so much drama ensues. The old owners of the home don't want her there, she has to take a loan from her father to fund the flip, and her crew finds an old wallet within the house while they are renovating it. It's none other than Lanier Ragan's wallet who went missing years before and was Hattie's teacher.  Now the law enforcement is involved! Plus, there's the growing attraction that Hattie feels towards her coworker, if only she would give herself permission to move on. The Homewreckers by Mary Kay Andrews has all of her signature moves: a mystery, a gorgeous coastal setting, small southern town life, and a budding romance.

I really liked Hattie from the start of The Homewreckers. I liked her spunk and her talent. I also appreciated her desire to renovate old homes and being a historic home lover myself, I enjoyed all the details of the renovation.  While I didn't necessarily feel the romance aspect of The Homewreckers as much as I was hoping, I did appreciate the cold case mystery within.

Once Hattie's crew found Lanier's wallet, things started to get very interesting as Lanier's case was reopened after years of it being a mystery. Slowly the police, as well as Hattie, piece together what exactly happened to her beloved teacher.  Andrews includes a lot of small town politics and drama, which is definitely something readers have come to enjoy in her novels.

I loved the setting of Savannah and Tybee Island. Andrews definitely knows Tybee and brought to life that community well, so much so that I wanted to pack my bags and visit once again.  How great would a show be where they renovate historic beach houses on Tybee? I'd watch that show for sure! Which leads me to the HGTV vibes this book is giving off--- there's a ton! So, if you enjoy home renovations and HGTV shows, The Homewreckers is right up your alley.  

My only issue is that Andrews has included a lot in The Homewreckers. At times it can be difficult to really dive into all the various threads.  There's Hattie's new romance, her difficult past, the murder mystery, the town's drama, the renovation, the TV show, and more, but overall she does make it work. Even though it was a lot, I will admit I was thoroughly entertained.  

So, are you a fan of Mary Kay Andrews? Did you read The Homewreckers this summer? Is it on your TBR list? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.  

 


2 comments:

  1. It does sound like a lot packed into one book, but I think that helps make it a good summer read! I've always wanted to go to Tybee.

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    Replies
    1. Tybee is amazing. I hope you can go sometime. This had a lot packing into it, but it was definitely entertaining and was a good break from my breezy beach reads. Thanks for visiting, Angela.

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