You will love Hattie and her resilience and strength. Ms. Andrews certainly knows how to write a great story.

Fans of mystery, fans of books you won’t want to stop reading, and fans of Ms. Andrews' books will love THE HOMEWRECKERS.

This book was given to me by the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley & MacMillan Audio for providing an audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Harriet "Hattie" Kavanaugh is a young widow, having lost her husband to a motorcycle accident some 7 years prior. You might expect that this sets her up to find lurve by the end of the story, and you would not be wrong.
Hattie works alongside her father-in-law restoring historical homes in Savannah, and money is tight after Hattie sinks all her money into a flip that's just too far gone to affordably turn around and sell for a profit. The two take a loss on that property, but not before reality TV producer Mo kind of stalks Hattie to the property after overhearing her talking about it in a coffee shop. Mo needs a hit show after a failure on the HPTV network, and he sees Hattie as his breakout star. Hattie disagrees, until Mo asks her best friend, Cass, to intervene on his behalf. That, and her dismal financial situation, finally convince Hattie to agree to star in "Saving Savannah."

Hattie gets a bit more than she bargained for, as she ends up selling that house at a loss, buying another at a sealed-bid auction, then finding herself cast in the now-titled Homewreckers opposite smooth Lothario Trae Bartholomew, professional designer. The idea is to create a romance between Hattie and Trae for the titillation of home viewers, but Hattie is ignorant of this. The house flip is a big project, especially after the team of flippers finds an old wallet belonging to a young teacher who's been missing for 17 years and never found. The mystery deepens after the teacher's corpse is found buried in an old septic tank, and Hattie and Cass set out to solve the mystery, as this was their favorite teacher in high school.

This was an inoffensive enough little story: Little Southern spitfire makes good and finds love, but if you're looking for surprises, you will not find them here. I guessed the killer pretty quickly (although I entertained the possibility that he was being offered as a red herring, but I gather that MKA is new to suspense, and she didn't take that road - maybe she should have). and the love interest is pretty much clear from the first pages. There is a weird take on a relationship between a teenager (much is made of him being a 19 year old senior in HS) and an adult woman in a position of authority and trust, basically saying that he was a grown man and well-equipped to handle himself, while to me, that is kiiiiind of an abusive situation.

The Reality TV House Flipping storyline felt dated to me (wasn't HGTV's heyday about 15-20 years ago?), but perhaps it's still relevant and I'm the one out of touch. I guess it's better than a romance built around Instagram influencers.

I have no doubt that MKA stans will be happy with this offering, and the voice acting was capable, if not exceptional.

"The Homewreckers" is a bit of a mystery and a bit of a rom-com, and a wildly entertaining read. Mary Kay Andrews' legions of fans are going to love this book!
When LA-based TV producer Mo meets Savannah native Hattie, at an historic house she is renovating, sparks fly, and soon Mo convinces Hattie to star in a home-renovation reality show. But what starts off as a sensible show about house flipping and historic preservation turns into something else altogether at the directive of the network VP, Rebecca. She brings in a slick designer--for both conflict and a love interest for Hattie--and starts dictating outlandish wardrobes and aggressive timelines. Then, a serious of challenges happen at the job site that threaten their progress and introduce a cold case mystery--the disappearance of a local woman 17 years before, a woman Hattie knew. The story takes many twists and turns, and readers are in for a wild ride set in a Savannah summer. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to the beautifully-narrated audiobook edition and highly recommend it. Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to review this fabulous summer read!

A new Mary Kay Andrews book signals the beginning of warm weather and great reading. Her characters are always so well developed and the settings are richly described. I liked Hattie from the start of this book and was impressed with her tenacity. She works on houses with her father-in-law, Tug, and gets in a little over her head on the flip of a large historic house in Savannah. When she has to take a loss her confidence takes a hit. But she is determined to make Tug proud and to make a profit. She gets involved with the filming of a reality TV show featuring the next house that she buys and it was interesting to get a behind the scenes look at how those are filmed. This book had the home renovations, spunky characters, a mystery and a little romance. The perfect beach read. I listened to the audio version of this book and love the narrator.

I received a complimentary copy of this audio book from Macmillan Audio through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This audiobook was OK. It took a long time to set up (about 25% of the book) and then it was the typical formula for Mary Kay Andrews - a little mystery, some love interest (with a couple different guys, one totally wrong for the protagonist, the other, quieter, still hot guy). It was all fine, though not my favorite book by this author. I have loved some of the books by Andrews, and although this wasn't my favorite it was a good beach listen.

Happy 30th book written to Mary Kay Andrews! What an accomplishment 👏🏻

Okay WOW I loved this book so much. This book was absolutely beautifully written. Full of diverse characters, southern charm, and lots of witty banter - this one will not disappoint! Coming into this book l just thought it was a silly rom-com centering around a home renovation, but IT IS SO MUCH MORE thank that! There's mystery, decade old secrets, murder, family drama, heartbreak, witty banter, amazing friendships, reality tv, a cute dog and yes, romance and home reno too!

This book is long (448 pages), but honestly I flew through it! I loved the characters and did not want to put it down. I loved the multiple POVs and getting to know each of the main character. You can't help but fall in love with Hattie and all she's doing and all she has been through.

The audiobook was SO WELL DONE! I absolutely loved the narrator who made this such a fun listen!

Thank you St Martin's Press and Macmillan Audio for this ALC! This book is out now and I recommend it.

This is another great book from Mary Kay Andrews. Hattie Kavanaugh renovates houses and sometimes bites off more than she can chew. When approached with the opportunity to star in a home renovation show, she realizes it may be the only way to salvage her career. Hattie and the rest of her crew are delightful to follow through their mishaps and their triumphs. Hattie and Cass are strong women that don't let men push them around. However, one of the mystery aspect of this novel is one of the best parts. It was especially interesting because of the well developed back story given to the missing woman.

Genre: Fiction, Contemporary Romance
Loved: The storyline, sucker for a DIY
Nope: Needed more sizzle
A great pick if: You are looking for a lighter storyline with some humor and a dash of drama.

Sometimes I crave a lighter storyline with a happy ending. For me, this one just didn’t have enough oomph. The storyline was ok but I felt the characters were just lacking in either depth or snark. There were some deeper subjects presented but I just didn’t feel they were believable. I needed something more from this one. I did, however, love the narration.

Thanks to Net Galley and Macmillan Audio for the ARC.

Thank you to Netgalley, Macmillan Audio, and Mary Kay Andrews for an advance listening copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This was such a fun (can you say beach read) and entertaining story that Andrews fans will love. Our main character gets asked to be on a house renovating show on television. We follow her, her best friend, her father in law, and a few other personalities as they attempt to renovate a historic home. This book gave us so many different elements wrapped into one: DIY, Mystery, Suspense, and Romance. I wasnt sure how the story would wrap up but I appreciated & enjoyed how the author ended the story. This one just published last week (5/3/22) so make sure you get your hands on it!

4.5 Stars, rounded up.

I always try to start my summer with Mary Kay Andrews, and every year I’m glad that I did. Just like with any author, I like some books better than others, but this felt like vintage MKA, all the way back to Savannah Blues. The dynamic between Hattie and Cass reminded me so much of Weezie and Bebe and I loved it. I can only hope that like the Weezie and Bebe books, this book will lead to a Hattie and Cass series. I also really love it when MKA leans into her love for thrifting, estate sales, and home decor and renovation. This book has that in spades, along with a romance and a mystery (again reminding me so much of Savannah Blues!), which is a combo that I love and expect from my MKA books.

If any of the above are something you’re interested in, then this book will check all the right boxes.

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced audiobook so I could start my (almost) summer off on the right foot.

4.5 stars!

What a cute story! I love Mary Kay Andrews and how cool is it that this was her 30th book and 30th year as a published author. THE HOMEWRECKERS truly is the perfect beach read to kick off the warmer days of Summer.

Hattie, a young widow, is working to renovate homes for her Father-in-Law’s business, but ends up using all of her money and savings into a flop of a renovation home, and needs to turn things around fast. That’s when as fate would have it, she’s offered a chance to star in a reality tv show with a sexy co-host about flipping homes.

Part mystery as a body turns up on the home renovation site, part romance as Hattie gets potential suitors from the new men in her life, and all around a great read!

I also listened to the audiobook while reading, and really enjoyed the narrator, Kathleen McInerney.

*many thanks to St Martin’s Press and Macmillan Audio/Netgalley for the gifted copy and audiobook ALC for review

Hattie Kavanaugh loves her job renovating homes in and around Savannah, GA. She gets recruited to shoot a pilot for a new show called Homewreckers, where she and a designer named Trae Bartholomew, will work together to restore a condemned property on Tybee Island and then flip it for profit. During the reno the team discovers a wallet linked to a missing person case that was never solved. With a new lead will the police be able to locate the missing high school teacher after all this time? Will Homewreckers actually get picked up by a network? Will Hattie be able to finish the reno on time and flip the house for a profit?

In true MKA fashion she gives us a fun summer read with a mystery and a bit of romance. I have been known to enjoy a home renovation show or two in my time so I enjoyed all of the tv show antics, from the demanding producers to her diva'ish co-star. I could clearly picture the house before and after the reno. While I loved Hattie, I wasn't really invested in either of the love interests for her as the romance part of the book kind of took a backseat to the mystery and actual renovation work.

I enjoyed the audiobook version which is narrated by Kathleen McInerney. She did a wonderful job bringing Hattie to life. At over 400 pages the book is a bit long, but the narration made it fly by.

True rating: 3.5 stars

I received a complimentary e-ARC copy of The Homewreckers from the publisher, St. Martin’s Press, via NetGalley for review purposes. All opinions are my own.

The Homewreckers by Mary Kay Andrews was a fun book that bounced between women's fiction, romance, and mystery, so it gives so many people a great book to read.

The main character Hattie restores houses in Savannah for a company that is owned by her father-in-law and her former husband who died in a motorcycle accident. She is strapped fr money so agrees to buy a beach cottage on Tybee Island and renovate it for a Home Networks' new show titled Homewreckers.

I loved the chosen location of Homewreckers, I have always enjoyed visiting the Savannah/Tybee Island area so it was easy for me to picture the area as I read, however, Mary Kay Andrews does a fantastic job of bringing the area to readers who have never been.

All the characters were relatable and well placed in the story. Hattie was such a strong thoughtful person who worried about others and the business. Her best friend Cass was a favorite of mine, her personality was big, and she was not afraid to tell people how things really were. All the characters were people that you could see in your life, even the less likable ones because there are always " those people " in everyone's life.

I really enjoyed the mystery that is woven throughout the story. Do not expect a major thriller mystery, it is light and cozy, and fits perfectly in with the feel of the book. It deals with a favorite teacher of Hatties who went missing years ago. There is also romance, some real and some staged, it isn't the major focus of the story but it is a nice touch that I enjoyed.

I won't lie, I loved this book, and I recommend it heavily. If you are searching for a fun and easy beach read for this summer, gran the Homewreckers and throw it in your bag !!

( I listened to The Homewreckers on audio ( thank you Netgalley and Macmillian Audio ). This was the first audiobook that was longer than 14 hours, but it felt so much shorter as the narration was great and I found myself listening to it constantly )

I didn’t read the synopsis of this book before I read it, I just knew MKA is one of my favorite authors and usually kicks off my summer reads, so I was going to read the book either way. I did not expect what came after a few chapters. A mystery? A missing person? Detective work? An old home in on Tybee Island being restored that may be connected to the missing person? All while a reality TV show is filming? Wow! I was wondering where the story was going and that was all a nice surprise - what could possibly go wrong? The main character, Hattie, was such a great character; I just loved her story, sass, and wit. I listened to the audio version and the narrator, Kathleen McInerney, was absolutely fantastic and I could not stop listening, so I highly recommend the audio version.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Thank you Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book!

Here's another fun book from Mary Kay Andrews. It's a fun beach read that hits my sweet spots - some house flipping, some romance, some mystery, with a nice dollop of Southern perspective and humor. And it's all set on Tybee Island, a spot we once visited for a few hours when we were visiting Savannah and one where I've wanted to spend more time ever since that day. This just reawakened my desire to get back there some day. Hattie is our main character, now 33, she was widowed young and after 7 years, still not quite recovered from that loss. She loves flipping old Savannah homes, and is trying to make a go of making it her business. But after a disastrous attempt at flipping a lovely old home, she's wondering how to finance her next flip when she's approached about the possibility of being the focus of a new reality TV show on an HGTV-type network. She reluctantly agrees, and what happens next is a litany of what can go wrong with such an endeavor, and such a show, up to and including finding human skeletal remains on the property. It's all enjoyable.
The narration of the audiobook by Kathleen McInerney is good - there's a lot of hesitation in speech patterns at time and it gets old - I suspect it's meant to feel like someone is actually speaking, but little goes a long way. Still, I very much enjoyed the audio version of this book.
Thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for providing a copy for an unbiased review.

I really wanted to like this one more than I did. I loved the setting on a historic home restoration reality TV show. I enjoyed the fun characters. But.....this one needed some serious editing. It was too long and dragged on way more than it needed to. I never felt the romantic connection between any of the characters. The mystery was decent, but it was overshadowed by so much extraneous "stuff". So much potential but fell short of the mark for me.

Reality TV finds a new home remodeling star

“The Homewreckers” is an entertaining mash up of reality TV desperate for new content, and a young woman struggling trying to make it in the cut throat world of flipping houses. Hattie Kavanaugh and her crew are good at what they do, renovating historic houses in Savannah, Georgia, making them current and modern without sacrificing their character.

Unfortunately, not every renovation is a financial success. Kavanaugh finds herself in the middle of an economic crunch that could mean the end of her dream and of her construction company. An opportunity arises that could be the answer to all her economic woes. A reality-show production company, desperate for new content, arrives in Savannah. Kavanaugh provides everything they are looking for – a woman with a dream and an interesting past, in an historic city with a beach house in need of major renovation; the show is sure to be a hit. Of course, bothersome complications and unexpected “things” show up that threaten to take down everyone and everything.

Andrews created a complex cast of characters -- the good, the bad, and the in-between. They drive the plot from start to finish. Readers meet the dedicated home remodeling specialist, her talented and dedicated crew, the smart TV show scout, a temperamental celebrity designer, and an erratic TV executive; all have complicated backstories and even more complicated relationships that keep readers entertained and turning the pages.
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Kathleen McInerney with a multi-dimensional voice, at times melodic, reassuring, matter-of-fact, mysterious, or cautionary. The narration is skillful and professional. It nicely reflected the personalities of each character and conveyed the tone of each situation to the listener.

I received a review copy of “The Homewreckers” from Mary Kay Andrews, Kathleen McInerney, and Macmillan Audio. It is an enjoyable story with layer upon layer of uncertainty, excitement, conflict and romance.

“The Homewreckers” is now available in print, on Kindle, and as an audiobook from independent bookstores, online booksellers, retail stores, public libraries and anywhere books are sold.

I have only read one other Mary Kay Andrew’s book. It was the reason I asked for this book. I recall the reviews of others seemed to often state that the book I had just read was darker than her usual work. I didn’t find it overly dark. I found it suspenseful and intriguing. There were relationships growing amongst strangers who see something in each other and truly grow to support each other.

So I was hoping for more of the same in this book. I was disappointed. That may be my fault for wanting to have the same type of mystery. Instead, this was more of a romance with a mystery in the background. Most people don’t seem to care too much about finding the formerly missing popular teacher. I am not a fan of reality television but I have enjoyed reading about the behind the scenes before. Maybe this would offer that. I am interested in home improvement, restoration, and repair, having done these myself.

All of the interesting parts were swept aside for the reader to ponder which of the endless number of single men the young widow would choose. It is painfully obvious from the beginning, by the way, so there wasn’t even any tension there. Are there no other women in the entire state? Anyway, a standard romance with a standard background crime. Nothing new nor interesting to see here.

The Homewreckers by Mary Kay Andrews

I loved the audiobook narrator! She is awesome!

Hattie is a widow who flips houses for her late husbands family business. Hattie gets a one in a lifetime opportunity; to star in a beach house renovation show called The Homewreckers along side a well known male lead. Will Hattie’s renovation flip or flop?

I look forward to each spring when MKA’s book releases and summer reading can finally begin! This was such a fun story! It had romance, mystery, murder, and major HGTV vibes. I enjoyed the characters and the Savannah and Tybee Island atmosphere. I think fans of MKA will devour this one! A great addition to your summer TBR list!

The Homewreckers by Mary Kay Andrews
Narrated by: Kathleen McInerney
Publication Date: May 3, 2022
My thoughts…
Fun. I enjoyed listening to this light book partly because I used to watch a lot of those home renovation shows when they first started on tv. I thought the book was longer than it needed to be, and Hattie’s musings got annoying in parts. It was fun to listen about the behind the scenes stuff. I also liked that I was wondering how the romance would play out when the book started.