Member Reviews

How great is a mystery thriller that not only has one mystery inside but two mysteries in it !! I really enjoyed the character of Drue and the development she went thru with her relationships. This is a fun summer beach read So dont forget to pack it in ur beach bag!

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I don’t think I have read any other books by this author. But I will now! It was a good story. Drue’s Mother has died. She left Drue the beach house that Drue’ Grandfather built. Drue is down on her luck and this little cottage comes at a really good time. Her parents were divorced and her relationship with her Father has never been good. The cottage is in the same town where her Father lives and has his law practice. Oh, and did I mention that Drue also needs a job. The characters are believable and the storyline captivating it has love, suspense and family drama. Good book. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for allowing me to read an advance copy for my honest review.

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After Drue loses her mother to cancer and her job to inhumanity, she accepts her estranged father’s offer of a job at his law firm. She also learns she has inherited her grandparents’ old beach cottage on Sunset Beach where she decides to live. Her father is a personal injury lawyer whose advertisements generate many phone calls that are screened in a boiler room, humdrum work that she does not do well. Filling in at reception, she learns of a case that screams injustice to her–and it has the added appeal of making her father look bad.

Meanwhile, she’s cleaning, painting, and refurbishing her long-neglected cottage and discovers a police file she soon learns is the missing police file that frustrates efforts to solve a long-ago disappearance. Here again, is something that puts her father in a bad light. After all, the missing file is in her house.


Sunset Beach is an enjoyable mystery with a dash of romance. Drue is a driven woman, recovering not just from an injury and the loss of her mother. She is adjusting to a new way of life, from the athlete to the sedentary, from working with her body to working with her mind. She’s also having to readjust long-held judgments about her father. This leads her a bit astray but also leads to her doing the right thing–investigating the injustice and the disappearance that both implicate her father.

There are misdirection and red herrings on the romance and the mystery front, which I liked. Usually, all the red herrings affect the mystery, this adds a nice twist.

Sunset Beach will be released on May 5th. I received an e-galley from the publisher through NetGalley.

Sunset Beach at St. Martin’s Press | Macmillan

Mary Kay Andrews author site

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Drue's life is going from bad to worse when her long-absent father shows up at her mother's funeral with an offer that might help her over the hump – if she can put aside her bitterness and suspicions. When she learns that she has inherited her grandparents' beach cottage, she decides to move across the state to take a chance at a new beginning. When she learns of a suspicious death and a decades-old missing persons case, she takes on the role of unofficial, unwitting investigator.

Mary Kay Andrews is my go-to "fluff" author, but calling her books fluff is probably unfair – they have far more substance to them than most books labeled chick lit. Once again, she has drawn engaging characters facing unexpected circumstances in an attractive setting, and I was hooked on the story from the very first chapter. Although the end result of the book is rather predictable, the turns in the story kept me turning page after page, and I was more than a little surprised at the revelation of one of the 'bad guys' in the book. I look forward to reading Ms. Andrews' next book!

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Mary Kay Andrews is back yet again as a favorite for summer beach reads. Sunset Beach is bound to hit the best seller list this upcoming beach season.

With a quirky protagonist mixed with not one, but TWO murder mysteries -- I’m all in. I love a fierce, independent female lead and of course a crime or two. It’s no secret I’m a murderino and Drue fits that title to a T. Working for her father’s ambulance chaser-type law firm clearly doesn’t bring enough action for her and so Drue puts herself slyly on the job of a former case, as she believes there is still more justice to be served.

The two murder mysteries were intriguing and cleverly revealed. I enjoyed the twists and how the stories all came together. While I loved Drue’s character, I had a hard time taking in her character being the same age as me. I felt her character was acting a tad younger than she was supposed to be. Maybe mid to late 20’s rather than 36. Both in the spats with her previously nonexistent father, his new wife, as well as with some of the other people who make an appearance in the book. I couldn’t see someone my age acting like that. However, her character was strong, defiant, and determined and I loved that about her. There were also a few character lines in the story that really didn’t develop into anything, but that neither added to, nor took away from the book.

All in all, Sunset Beach is a great summer read with enough mischief to keep you hooked. I enjoyed Drue’s mischievousness in getting to the truth and was completely taken in by the two murder mysteries. Definitely throw this one in your beach bag.

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A mystery within a mystery makes this a fun read. Drue is down and out after her mom dies. At the funeral her estranged father, a Personal Injury Attorney, tells her she’s inherited her grandparents beach cottage and offers her a job. Drue is none too happy with the turn of events and things get even worse when she finds out who her father’s newest wife is. Finding some old papers about a cold case from 1976, Drue is instantly intrigued and puts on her detective cap. She also finds a case in her dad’s office that she feels was mishandled and will do anything she can to make it right. A story of family and forgiveness with a mix of mystery and a bit of suspense makes this a perfect “beach read”.

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Sunset Beach by Mary Kay Andrews
Have read a lot of other works by this author and have found the story line is usually a bunch of women get away for a while, at a beach and just hang out.
This one is so different-I like it, A LOT!
Starts with Drue and she's lost her mother, her job and gotten hurt being a kite sailboarder. Her father shows up at the funeral and he invites her to Sunset Beach-she lives on the opposite side of FL in her mother's house.
She gets a job at his law firm answering phones in hopes to get leads to new client-slip and sue lawsuits.
She has to mingle with a lot of the workers to keep good graces with her father-her new step mother was her girlfriend in high school.
There are a handful of characters and soon you learn there is a lot more to the story.
Like hearing of the relationships she starts up and how she helps others. Like the green flash at sunset sightings and how she is helped herself in reclaiming more mobility in her legs, after her injury.
It not only is about Drue but her parents when they were growing up/married. There are also other stories involving their friends during the 70's that all lead to the same outcome.
Amazing how it's all connected. SO many twists and turns and totally unpredictable. Hope the author will continue writing this style of book again.
Ends with the authors words about how the book came about and her real life with beach houses and author retreats which also includes menus and recipes.
What an all around book, it has it all-something for everyone.
Received this review copy from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.
#SunsetBeach by #MaryKayAndrews. #NetGalley

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Mary Kay Andrews is one of my favorite authors. I loved this book. It is a great beach read. Romance, fun and mystery all in one book. How could you not love it. 5 stars. Pick this up if you want a good read.

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Sunset Beach by Mary Kay Andrews is a novel that explores family relationships and secrets.
Drue has lived for several years with her mother on the east coast of Florida while her estranged father lives on the west coast. She hasn’t seen him for years until he shows up at her mother’s funeral. He informs her that she now owns her grandparents’ house in Sunset Beach and offers her a job working at his law firm. She is at loose ends as she has no job and no place to live. She is also recovering from a kiteboarding injury that ended her dream of going pro. She decides to move to Sunset Beach and quickly learns her father is now married to her ex-best friend and the house is in major disrepair. Will she be able build a new relationship with her father and stepmother? What happens when she uncovers family secrets in the attic?
I really enjoyed this story. It is so well written it tugged at my heart many times. Drue gets herself into trouble due to her own hard headedness but finally learns who she can really trust and depend on. I found several surprises as the story unfolded; the characters thought to be the good guys weren’t always the ones to trust. I recommend this book highly and give it a solid 5 of 5 stars.
I received an advance copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

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This is a first Mary Kay Andrews read for me and I I would like to thank net gallery for letting me read in advance. Drew lost her mother lost her job as a waitress had to move back to the town where her father lived and went to work for him answering phones doing the things that will wasn't quite what she wanted to do but it was a job that made a living the only downfall was her best friend from school was now her stepmother.... I found this book to be very intriguing I absolutely love the storyline however I don't want to give away too much in my review I don't like to do that . I will definitely be picking up more books from this author I recommend this book to all .

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Recently it appears that MK Andrews has ventured away from the type of writing we are used to reading, and instead, is writing mysteries that involve events both current and from the past. Both this novel and The High Tide Club touch upon an unsolved murder, with unexpected results. I was underprepared for the reveal in the murder from 30+ years earlier as well as who did it in a current case introduced through the main character, Drue, through her work at her father’s law firm. Drue is 36 years old and going through a bit of a life crisis. She suffered a debilitating injury, her mother died, and she lost a job that though crummy, paid the bills. As a result, she finds herself back in a town where she grew up, working for her father and stepmother (who just happens to be Drue’s childhood frenemy). While at work, Drue takes on a cold case and in the process, winds up disrupting her father’s business.

There are twists and turns, leading the reader down paths that may or may not be helpful in the end. I didn’t see much of it coming, which made for a good read. Four stars for me b/c Drue was not super likable at the beginning and the author also had some stereotyping that seemed unnecessary (a surprising fact that people of color like country music, for example). It just didn’t feel right or fit the characters. That stated, I still recommend the book.

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4 Stars: Sunset Beach by Mary Kay Andrews
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for a free copy of this book!
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Drue is at a dead end. Her mother recently died, her athletic career has stalled due to an injury followed up with a horrible surgery, and her waitress job just isn't doing it. So after her estranged father shows up at her mother's funeral with a job offer in St.. Pete AND keys to her grandparent's cottage that she inherited from her mother, Drue leave Ft. Lauderdale. Yet everything is not so peachy in St. Pete and Drue finds herself with her childhood friend married to her father and 2 murder mysteries.
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What I Loved: I personally enjoyed both mysteries that went with the story. I think it kept the plot moving. If I had to choose, the flashback mystery from the 70s was really not necessary, but it was interesting. The ending of the book was absolutely great. I did not see the end coming and it did not seem forced or far fetched.
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What I did not Love: Drue. For the first 40% of the book., I found her to be a brat. I get it. Your father was not there when you were growing up, but you sure did not hesitate to take the job, furniture or anything else he was offering. Yet, she would make immature comments. You are 36, grow up. This really bothered me, and to be honest, almost made me put the book down and DNF it. But I slogged through and Drue was not as whiny as the book went on.
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Goodreads review posted 4/7
Instagram review posted 4/8
Blog review posted 4/9

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Sunset Beach by Mary Kay Andrews is dual time full of secrets and mysteries. Flashbacks and mysteries from present time to the 1970’s. This is the first book I have read by Mary Kay Andrews and it was a great read. Drue the main character is a whirlwind and she involves everyone in her wild adventures. Drue is a tough as nails girl, but has a sweet spirit. I can’t wait to read more books by Mary Kay Andrews. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. I appreciate the opportunity and thank the author and publisher for allowing me to read, enjoy and review this book.

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This is the first book I have read by Mary Kay Andrews. I must say I am officially hooked now! This story was the perfect blend of mystery and romance. She kept the story line full of surprises with many twists and turns. I highly recommend reading this book, as it is very entertaining. I can’t wait to read more of her other books now.

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This was such a nice, relaxing easy to read story. It was not too heavy with romance and not too heavy with mystery...

Many thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for this advanced readers copy. Release date for this book is May 2019.

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Drue Campbell is 36 years old. Her mother just died. She is still limping as a result of a serious kiteboard accident which has knocked her out of that sport for good. At a very low point in her life you could say. 

Drue and her mother have lived in Fort Lauderdale since the divorce and Drue hasn't seen her father in a very long time. When he shows up at her mothers funeral, Drue is shocked to see him. He wants to offer her a job on the east coast side of Florida at his law firm, where he is a local bigshot injury attorney. He also has a more precious gift to give her. The keys to her grandparent's cottage on a pricey stretch of beach. 

Swallowing her pride and taking a low-level phone job is bad enough but to find out her father is married again and to her former bestie from elementary school! Drue and Wendy had a falling out in school and now it looks as if Wendy is doing everything she can to get Drue to quit.

But Drue meets a client and gets involved personally trying to track down a killer. As if that isn't enough she has found paperwork in the cottage attic that makes her believe her father may be not so honest after all. And may be responsible for a long cold case of a missing woman.

This was so different from what I was expecting! And I was way off base on who the bad guys were.

All of the warm fuzzies we feel with this author and a suspense/mystery! Very well done!

NetGalley/ May 7th 2019 by St. Martin's Press

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I was a little skeptical about this book in the beginning when Drue and Jonah hooked up so quickly. I was afraid it was going to be romantic fluff, but I was pleasantly surprised that it turned out to be a good mystery. I liked how the two different puzzles connected in the end. Good book!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from St. Martin’s Press through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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I absolutely enjoyed Drue’s story. I love a good mystery, and this had 2, as well as having Drue dealing with the death of her mother, the reunion with her father, her knee injury, moving, etc. Normally I would say there was too much going on, but this all worked together really well.

At the beginning of the book, Drue seemed like a shallow beach bunny, but throughout the course of the story you saw more of her character and you saw her grow and develop.

All of the various mysteries are solved by the end of the book, but I must admit that I really want to see more of these characters. The various primary and secondary characters played off each other so well, and pulled the reader in so many ways.

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Drue Campbell’s life is not going so well. Her Mother just died and Drue injured her knee while wind surfing, something she has lived her life for as long as she can remember. With no job Drue has no choice but to accept a job offer from her estranged father, personal injury lawyer Bruce Campbell. Things only get worse when Drue finds that Brice is married to her old ex best friend, Wendy. Wendy is not happy to have Drue in the picture and proceeds to make life miserable for her. Thru her job Drue learns about a suspicious death at a nearby resort that was taken on as a liability case by her Father’s firm. Drue is convinced something isn’t right about the case and suspects her Fathers firm of wrongdoing.. No one has been arrested for the murder. There is also a decades old missing persons case that could be connected to her Father.

This book is the perfect beach read. It has romance, suspense, and a mystery all rolled into one. I felt like I was on the beach with Drue at her Grandparents old house. I wasn’t sure where the mystery was going to take me, but it was a fun ride getting there. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy. I look forward to more books by Mary Kay Andrews.

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Loved this book! It is a perfect beach read. There is a little mystery, a little romance, and it is set on a beach in Florida. Highly recommended book. I couldn't get enough!

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