Book Review: High Tide Club by Mary Kay Andrews

Title/Author: The High Tide Club by Mary Kay Andrews
Source: St. Martin's Press, in exchange for an honest review

Goodreads Summary:

When ninety-nine-year-old heiress Josephine Bettendorf Warrick summons Brooke Trappnell to Talisa Island, her 20,000 acre remote barrier island home, Brooke is puzzled. Everybody in the South has heard about the eccentric millionaire mistress of Talisa, but Brooke has never met her. Josephine’s cryptic note says she wants to discuss an important legal matter with Brooke, who is an attorney, but Brooke knows that Mrs. Warrick has long been a client of a prestigious Atlanta law firm.

Over a few meetings, the ailing Josephine spins a tale of old friendships, secrets, betrayal and a long-unsolved murder. She tells Brooke she is hiring her for two reasons: to protect her island and legacy from those who would despoil her land, and secondly, to help her make amends with the heirs of the long dead women who were her closest friends, the girls of The High Tide Club—so named because of their youthful skinny dipping escapades—Millie, Ruth and Varina. When Josephine dies with her secrets intact, Brooke is charged with contacting Josephine’s friends’ descendants and bringing them together on Talisa for a reunion of women who’ve actually never met.

The High Tide Club is Mary Kay Andrews at her Queen of the Beach Reads best, a compelling and witty tale of romance thwarted, friendships renewed, justice delivered, and true love found. 


My thoughts:

For some, summer kicks off with the first barbecue, the first 90 degree day, breaking out the flip-flops and shorts and sunblock. For me, the unofficial start of summer is reading a Mary Kay Andrews book. It is how I change seasons, by my reading choices. I switch from heavier, intense books or cozy mysteries or scary thrillers to books that are set by the sea, sand, and have some romance in there too. This one was a bit different. Despite the beachy cover, it is not a beach book, with sand and flip-flops and fruity drinks.  However, Mary Kay Andrews always writes an entertaining tale, and this one was just plain riveting.

Is there anything more carefree and joyous than skinny dipping by the light of a full moon? And nowadays, not even scandalous, unlike when friends Josephine, Ruth, Millie, and Varinia first traded in their swimsuits for their birthday suits in the 40s. Who knew then where there lives would take them - what young person does? 

By the time attorney Brooke Trapnell meets Josephine Warrick, Josephine is 99 years old, eccentric, and loaded. And living on her family island, in a home that is crumbling around her. To add to it, she is battling cancer while trying to hang on to the family land. That is where Brooke comes in. Josephine wants Brooke to help her keep her island and also to create a legacy for her old friends, The High Tide Club, or at least their descendants. 

This seemingly simple task soon unravels a lifetime of secrets and mysteries, that seem to slowly spill out of Shellhaven, Jospehine's tumbledown mansion. One secret leads to another and another, until finally, all secrets are brought to light. There is mystery and intrigue and glamour - unfortunately, there is also classicism and racism, which I guess would be historically accurate for some people for that time and location, although ugly (the deep south in the 1940s). This book kept me on my toes, and kept me guessing, and I did not want to stop reading until I found out all the answers! 

Another great book by Andrews! 

Book Review: Save the Date by Mary Kay Andrews

Title: Save the Date
Author: Mary Kay Andrews
Source: Library (by way of my mom)

Goodreads Summary:

A wedding florist finds love and trouble in this delightful new novel by the New York Times bestselling author of Ladies' Night

A Savannah florist is about to score the wedding of a lifetime—one that will solidify her career as the go-to-girl for society nuptials. Ironically, Cara Kryzik doesn't believe in love, even though she creates beautiful flower arrangements to celebrate them. But when the bride goes missing and the wedding is in jeopardy, Cara must find the bride and figure out what she believes in. Maybe love really does exist outside of fairy tales after all. 


My thoughts:

I am a big fan of southern cities. Such a fan, that my husband has asked that we please go west or or east or anywhere but south again on our next vacation. Every trip we take is somewhere southern. But I can't help it - both of my parents are southern vacationers as well. Since I don't live down south or get to vacation there as much as I wish, I have to get my fix sometimes through books, and Mary Kay Andrews is a go to author for me. Her books are fun and like candy, a special treat.

This book was no exception. Cara Kryzik runs her own floral shop, selling bouquets over the counter as well as doing the flowers for special events like weddings. She lives above her shop with her golden-doodle Poppy, and is recently divorced. Everyday she deals with brides and their mothers, planning their dream weddings, from big to small, from bridezillas to the bridechillas. (ok I made that word up) Despite being surrounded by love, Cara is a bit jaded as a result of her failed marriage, and she and her assistant have a game of predicting the odds that the couple will remain married. Her business however has been financed by her father, the Colonel - who is insisting on being repaid back in full immediately. Unfortunately that kind of repayment is out of Cara's reach at the moment, until Marie walks in her door. Marie's daughter Brooke is getting married, and wants Cara to do the flowers. If she can pull this off, she will have more than enough money to keep her business going and to pay off her father.

But of course, things can't go that smoothly. Cara struggles and fights against the odds herself, battling a new fancy florist in town, landlords, disgruntled brides and mothers'of the bride, amongst other things. And of course, there is a hot guy, who has a golden-doodle as well, that helps to heat things up.

One of the things I loved best about this book was the interactions between Cara and her dog. I am a huge animal lover, and have four pets myself, including a goofy English Setter rescue. So I understand where Cara is coming from sometimes. There was a part that I totally got, having to do with Poppy that made me teary! Although, Cara does do something at the end that I would never have gambled on. Overall though, I love how Andrews incorporates animals and animal welfare into her books. It gets a thumbs up from me.

I really enjoyed this book, as I have all Andrew's work. The few complaints I had are minor, and don't detract from the rest of the story.  It was the perfect read for a warm summer day, even better if read while relaxing on the porch, sipping iced tea.

Ladies' Night - Review

Title: Ladies' Night
Author: Mary Kay Andrews
Source: Kindle

Goodreads Summary:

Take a splash of betrayal, add a few drops of outrage, give a good shake to proper behavior and take a big sip of a cocktail called…Ladies' Night!



Grace Stanton’s life as a rising media star and beloved lifestyle blogger takes a surprising turn when she catches her husband cheating and torpedoes his pricey sports car straight into the family swimming pool.  Grace suddenly finds herself locked out of her palatial home, checking account, and even the blog she has worked so hard to develop in her signature style.  Moving in with her widowed mother, who owns and lives above a rundown beach bar called The Sandbox, is less than ideal.  So is attending court-mandated weekly "divorce recovery" therapy sessions with three other women and one man for whom betrayal seems to be the only commonality.  When their “divorce coach” starts to act suspiciously, they decide to start having their own Wednesday "Ladies' Night" sessions at The Sandbox, and the unanticipated bonds that develop lead the members of the group to try and find closure in ways they never imagined.  Can Grace figure out a new way home and discover how strong she needs to be to get there? 

Heartache, humor, and a little bit of mystery come together in a story about life’s unpredictable twists and turns.  Mary Kay Andrews' Ladies' Night will have you raising a glass and cheering these characters on. (


My thoughts:

I love Andrews. I first read her after a trip to Savannah, because before and after I travel to a place, I read all I can about it, and that includes fiction books set in that area.  I fell in love with her easy going and fun writing style, as well as the dream worthy locations they took place in. I have read just about all of her books; that being said, I think Ladies' Night is my favorite.  I think it dealt with a more serious issue that most of her other books.

Grace is a famous lifestyle blogger, with a beautiful home with beautiful linens and tableware and husband, Ben. Or so she thinks, about her husband. When one night she finds him schtupping her assistant, she goes berserk. After driving his expensive car into their pool, she heads home to her mother, to her childhood homeplace, above a bar in a marina.

What happens next is horrible. Her estranged husband locks her out of her gated community, her home, her bank accounts, and her income. His paramour takes over Grace's blog, and Grace finds herself powerless to change her circumstances. The judge at their first divorce hearing orders Grace to an anger management therapy class, and does not award any of Grace's assets back to her. even though she was the maligned and hurt party.

Grace goes to the class, and finds that everyone there, except one, is female. All have gotten the shaft from the same judge. What the heck is the deal with this judge? Does he hate women? Grace and the others soon become confidantes, and learn some disturbing facts.

The only man in class is Wyatt, the owner and manager of a run down jungle theme park called Jungle Jerry's. He also has a father who seems to have a memory loss at sundown, an assortment of animals, and shared custody of his young son. His estranged wife is just as bad as Ben, if not worse.

Grace attempts to get her life together, starting a new blog and a new major project, but Ben, and his girlfriend J'Aimee, cause some pretty disturbing and deplorable problems for her.

I think this book more than Andrews' other books, dealt with more serious topics. The trouble the character's ran into was kicked up a notch, a little darker than her previous books. Grace is made of tough stuff however, and fights back.

This book also did have its cute parts too, it wasn't all serious. The relationship that develops between Wyatt and Grace, and the one that Grace develops with a dog that she rescues bring brightness and light to the story. And you know I love that Andrews' advocates for animals! All in all, I really loved this book.

Spring Fever- A Review

Title:  Spring Fever  Author:  Mary Kay Andrews
Source:  NetGalley

Goodreads Summary:

The New York Times bestselling author of Summer Rental delivers her delicious new escapist novel about small towns, old flames, and deep secrets
Annajane Hudgens truly believes she is over her ex-husband, Mason Bayless.  They’ve been divorced for four years, she’s engaged to a new, terrific guy, and she’s ready to leave the small town where she and Mason had so much history.  She is so over Mason that she has absolutely no problem attending his wedding to the beautiful, intelligent, delightful Celia.  But when fate intervenes and the wedding is called to a halt as the bride is literally walking down the aisle, Annajane begins to realize that maybe she’s been given a second chance.  Maybe everything happens for a reason.  And maybe, just maybe, she wants Mason back.  But there are secrets afoot in this small southern town.  On the peaceful surface of Hideaway Lake, Annajane discovers that the past is never really gone.  Even if there are people determined to keep Annajane from getting what she wants, happiness might be hers for the taking, and the life she once had with Mason in this sleepy lake town might be in her future. 


My thoughts:


I was so excited to receive this galley from NetGalley.  I love Mary Kay Andrews, her books are always so entertaining with great characters, and of course the setting in the south - a weakness.


Annajane had been madly in love with Mason for it seems her whole life.  She stays clear of him for five years, after a short attempt at a marriage.  But when she attends his wedding to Celia, a business wonder, she realizes she is definitely not over Mason, although she herself is engaged.  Thankfully, Mason's young daughter Sophie starts throwing up at the altar and the wedding has to be postponed, leaving time for Annajane and Mason to reconnect and explore their feelings.  Their divorce had been messy and without closure, and after five years apart, start to talk about what really happened. This book actually made me anxious - I wanted Annjane and Mason to get together so badly, and Celia was a perfect villain.  


There is much history in their lives and so much hidden behind the scenes, and it all starts to slowly come undone, one twist at a time.  I enjoyed every discovery, and simply loved this book!

Savannah Blues - Review

Title: Savannah Blues
Author: Mary Kay Andrews
Publisher:  Harper

Goodreads Summary:

Landing a catch like Talmadge Evans III got Eloise "Weezie" Foley a big house in Savannah's historic district. Divorcing him got her booted into the carriage house in the backyard. Tal, meanwhile, lives with his girlfriend, elegant Caroline DeSantos, in the mansion Weezie lovingly restored. For Weezie, letting her dog piddle on Caroline's prize camellias isn't payback enough.

Now Weezie, and antiques "picker," is trying to make a killing at a big estate sale while dealing with loopy relatives, a hunky ex-boyfriend who's the hottest chef in town, and the Tal-Caroline "situation." Dirty deals are simmering all around her, just as Weezie discovers how very delicious love can be—the second time around.

My thoughts:

I couldn't stop thinking about how cool it would be to do what Weezie does- being a "picker" sounds kinda fun! Like treasure hunting everyday for a living. Reading this made me want to run out and find estate sales and garage sales and try my luck!

This book was a fun read- I loved reading about Savannah, one of my favorite southern cities, right up there with New Orleans.  I liked the allusion in the book too, to the book and trial of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil - and I was surprised to learn that Andrews was a reporter for that case and trial.  I could write a whole other blog on this book, I loved it so much. 

I felt like although I enjoyed reading about these characters, I barely scratched the surface of them.  Weezie seemed almost obsessed with junking - like she never wanted to do anything but that.  When she and Daniel were together, they fought all the time and I didn't really like that.  I did really like Daniel and Bebe's characters though- I felt like I knew more about them then I did Weezie!  I did enjoy Weezie's mother and father - her mother was a trip, even after rehab! 

The mystery plot line was well done, I thought.  A fine old house, the only one of its kind, a murder that Weezie stumbles on while looking for the bathroom - I thought these parts were better written than the romance, with fun details and surprises. 

I enjoyed this book, it was a fun read! I will more than likely read the next book in this series, which is about Bebe. 

It's Monday, What Are You Reading?

It's Monday, What Are You Reading is a weekly blog meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journey where you list the books you read last week and the ones you hope to read this week.

I missed last week, I was on vacation "up north" as Michiganders say. And I didn't eve read much!

Read Last Week:

Summer Rental by Mary Kay Andrews:  I started this book on vacation at my family's summer rental.  My room was a bug jar with the light on, so I couldn't fit much reading in at night! I enjoyed this book, it was a fun summer read.

Honolulu by Alan Bernnert:  This author has never let me down, I have found both his books to be beautiful and moving.  I recommend them to everyone.

Heart of Evil by Heather Graham:  Second in the Krewe of Hunters Series.  I enjoyed this second book much better than the first.  And I was in love with the ghost story!

Currently Reading:

The Kitchen House by Katheleen Grissom:  I have read favorable reviews of this book and so far so good!

The Red Garden by Alice Hoffman:  Alice Hoffman is always a favorite of mine, and this books seems no exception. So far I have cried, and laughed, because my one of my favorite historical figures, Johnny Appleseed is a character! And I am not even that far into the book yet, so I wonder what other surprises are in store.

Gave up on for the moment:

Paris to the Moon by Adam Gopnik:  This is not a bad book, I was just not in the mood.  I plan on revisiting Gopnik's Paris this fall or winter.

Summer Rental - Review

Title:  Summer Rental
Author: Mary Kay Andrews
Publisher:  St. Martin's Press

Goodreads Summary:

Sometimes, when you need a change in your life, the tide just happens to pull you in the right direction….

Ellis, Julia, and Dorie. Best friends since Catholic grade school, they now find themselves, in their mid-thirties, at the crossroads of life and love. Ellis, recently fired from a job she gave everything to, is rudderless and now beginning to question the choices she's made over the past decade of her life. Julia—whose caustic wit covers up her wounds--has a man who loves her and is offering her the world, but she can't hide from how deeply insecure she feels about her looks, her brains, her life.  And Dorie has just been shockingly betrayed by the man she loved and trusted the most in the world…though this is just the tip of the iceberg of her problems and secrets. A month in North Carolina's Outer Banks is just what they each of them needs.

Ty Bazemore is their landlord, though he's hanging on to the rambling old beach house by a thin thread. After an inauspicious first meeting with Ellis, the two find themselves disturbingly attracted to one another, even as Ty is about to lose everything he's ever cared about.

Maryn Shackleford is a stranger, and a woman on the run. Maryn needs just a few things in life: no questions, a good hiding place, and a new identity.  Ellis, Julia, and Dorie can provide what Maryn wants; can they also provide what she needs? 

Five people questioning everything they ever thought they knew about life. Five people on a journey that will uncover their secrets and point them on the path to forgiveness.   Five people who each need a sea change, and one month in a summer rental that might just give it to them.

My thoughts:

I actually read this book on vacation, while at my family's summer rental in northern Michigan.  I figured it was the perfect book for the occasion.  I was right! It is a great, lighthearted summer read.  

I liked all the characters, although Julia did get on my nerves a little- she seemed kind of abrupt and I wouldn't like if my friends talked to me so sharply.  She did mellow out and grow on me though.  Ellis was uptight, but that was ok.  I felt her character really grew and changed as the novel progressed, which I like.   Dorie was my favorite of the friends, I hope we get a book about her soon! I just liked her go with it demeanor and silliness, but she was practical and down to earth when she needed to be.  I am not usually about books about women friend groups, they are usually so saccharine my teeth rot out of my head just reading them or the friends are really jerks to each other and sleep with each other's husbands and stuff.  This book was a nice blend of good friends and reality- they admitted after a month they were starting to get on each others nerves. I felt too, that some of the language was realistic - I am the same age as the characters, and they talked to each other alot like I do with my friends.

One thing that bothered me and made me anxious the whole book, was the dog Biggie.  The character Maryn left her husband and her beloved dog, and worried that perhaps her husband would do something horrid to Biggie in retaliation.  This made me nervous the entire book!!! I didn't like Maryn for doing that, who leaves an animal they love behind if they think there is a chance they might be injured, and I was kind of irritated at Andrews for saying that and then never mentioning Biggie again.  At one point while Maryn is reminiscing, she thinks about how Biggie was her husband's real best friend, and I kind of relaxed a bit after that, but I was a little on edge the whole book.  

This was a really fun read - I usually always enjoy Andrew's books, and this was no exception.  Looking forward to the next read by her!