Every year I look forward to the next novel by Mary Kay Andrews. She consistently tells a good story and ranks high on summer reading lists.

In this book, listeners meet Hattie Kavanaugh. She married and was widowed young. Now Hattie is busy as a house renovator.

Over the course of the novel, Hattie gets the chance to be on TV, gets involved in an old disappearance case and meets a burned out detective. Where will things go? As usual, there is a lot going on here so get ready to enjoy this long audio book.

Note: Due to the limited time that I had access to this title, I did not get to hear all of it From what I did listen to the narration was well done.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this title I hope to get this from the library to hear the rest of it.

The Homewreckers was a joy to read. Mary Kay Andrews has the ability to describe people and places in a way that makes you feel as if you're a part of it and not like you're reading it in a book. It's a lovely gift. Savannah and Tybee Island was a great subject for her to build the story around.

I always enjoy that this author manages to have a few plot lines going on at once. You have the home improvement tv show being filmed with a reluctant local woman as one of the stars along with a flashy designer from LA that the network decides to pair her with. There's plenty of drama taking place on set between them, the producer and other employees. As if that isn't enough, a seventeen year old mystery surfaces on the property when a missing woman's wallet is discovered in the wall of the house. That brings a whole new level of attention to the project with not only police attention but also possibly that of an abductor or murderer.

Ms. Andrews did a nice job of building the characters so that you could relate to them in either a positive or negative way. You weren't left any with impartiality - you definitely form an opinion. That's key to being invested in a book, in my opinion.

The Homewreckers was an enjoyable read and I devoured it. It will be perfect for the summer by the pool or on the beach.

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: The narration for this book was perfect. I toggled between the ebook and audiobook version and would have thoroughly enjoyed being able to immerse myself completely in the audio. It was quite well done. 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I voluntarily chose to review it and the opinions contained within are my own.

I found the subplot mystery highly engaging and the main hptv plot fun. I listened to this while I gardened over the weekend and it was light and easy which is what I wanted.

I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review. Not my favorite by Andrews. I disliked the mystery aspect as it felt more like it belonged in the mystery genre. I also intensely disliked the character of Tres and kept putting the book down because he was such a tool.

The wait for Mary Kay Andrews's new beach read is over! I'm a relatively new fan of Andrews but I wouldn't miss her new book for anything. And this year's is a great read.

Hattie Kavanaugh has been working for a home renovation company since she was 18. She married the owner's son when she was 20 and life looked perfect, but a tragic accident left her heartbroken. Her only happiness comes on the job site where she oversees every step of the renovation of a house flipping project. The first one was a success but the second was a bit more of a flop. Mo Lopez is looking for the next hit show for HPTV when he crosses paths with Hattie. He loves her passion for restoring historic homes in Savannah and is sure this is his big break. Of course, there are several "suggestions" from the network that leads to challenges and that is on top of discovering the wallet of a long-missing woman in the medicine cabinet of the derelict home they are flipping.

I'm a big fan of the home improvement shows on HGTV so I loved that the plot revolved around flipping a house. I also love historic renovation (I grew up watching This Old House) so while the house flipping was just the setting, I really enjoyed all the details. The characters are great too. Even the arrogant co-star who is a somewhat bigshot LA designer is enjoyable. I really liked Hattie. She is down-to-earth and while she has experienced great tragedy she hasn't given up hope. Mo is also a great character even though he is a bit more idealistic. But you can tell he really wants the best and wants others to succeed - and not only because it will mean his career is a success.

I thought that The Homewreckers had a different vibe than her previous summer books that I've read (which I admit I've only read a few). I discovered last fall that Andrews also writes Christmas books (if you missed it you can check out my review of The Santa Suit). I loved it, of course, and went looking for more of her Christmas books at my digital library. The ones I found were part of some of her series. There were several aspects of The Homewreckers that reminded me of the one listened to from the Weezie and Bebe Mystery series. Hattie reminded me a lot of Weezie. Part of the familiarity might be because the same narrator who read Christmas Bliss also is reading The Homewreckers. I like Kathleen McInerney as a narrator.

The previous books I've read have felt like complete stand alone novels, The Homewreckers had more of a start of series vibe. That might be because I felt that the character interactions and the renovation project was more the focus of the novel, even though there is a missing person/murder mystery.

The mystery is interesting and adds tension and intrigue to the plot. But it felt secondary to the story. It is probably wishful thinking on my part, but if this is the start of a new series, I don't think there would necessarily have to be a murder mystery every time. I think old houses have all kinds of secrets and discovering them could easily be an element of a series. Again, there is no indication that this will be a series - but I can dream!

Speaking of the mystery - it is interesting but not as intense as Hello, Summer was. You will definitely want answers and there are some "oh my" discoveries.

This book has a little bit of everything and is really a perfect book to read on the beach or by the pool or on your front porch. I listened to it while planting about 30 flowers, shrubs, herbs, and vegetable plants and it really made the work go quicker.

My review will be published at Girl Who Reads on Tuesday, May 3 - https://www.girl-who-reads.com/2022/05/the-homewreckers-by-mary-kay-andrews.html

In true MKA fashion, this book is just as sassy as all of her others! I love the concept, how the title ties into the reality show so well….and the characters! Even the mystery throughout had a satisfying end!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my advance audiobook to review of one of my favorite authors!

This story has every single chit-lit trope you could ask for: the gorgeous southern girl, who doesn’t spend a second on her own vanity and is naturally phenomenal, pitted against women who do, coupled with a strong and sassy best friend, a “omg I think I’m in love” moment at every turn, ridiculous gullibility matched with a “I got this” attitude from the main character, plus a death or two along the way. If you’re looking for a chic-lit summer read, this is it. If you’re looking for something that will leave you exhaling like War and Peace, I’d skip it. That being said, I’m not usually a huge fan of this genre but I really enjoyed the way it was written and the unique storylines.

This is my second Mary Kay Andrews book and I think she will be an auto-buy author for me from now on. I know I'm late to the MKA party but so glad I'm here now! I thoroughly enjoyed The Homewreckers.

This book is about Hattie Kavanaugh. She works for her late husband's home restoration company and has spent most of her life restoring old homes. She is broken-hearted after the loss of her husband, Hank, but continues to live out their dream of restoring these old homes, even though without Hank it doesn't have quite the same luster it once held. She, unfortunately, gets in over her head with her latest project and it causes her to question everything. Then an opportunity to star in a tv show doing what she loves falls into her lap. There is also this male costar who she isn't sure if she hates or has feelings for and people may not be as they appear. Hattie has to navigate life after her loss and all the new obstacles that come along with starring in a tv show.

The Homewreckers is the perfect Summer beach day read with its romance, mystery, and hometown warmth. I adore the characters MKA has developed here and the whole atmosphere of Tybee Island was amazing. I can't wait to dive into MKA's next book. 4.5 stars!

Savannah is a beautiful backdrop foe this wonderfully entertaining book. Mary Kay Andrew is a writer that can bring a location alive to her readers

This book had it all....love, mystery, heartache, and humor. I very much enjoyed it. It had me engaged the whole time.

Hattie is working on rehabbing an old house when she's "discovered" by a home improvement reality show producer. She's offered a show, but is hesitant because she's not really that outgoing. But, when she sees that it can help her get out of debt, she agrees to do the show. This is the story of how that show is made, complicated by the network's addition of a hot-shot California designer that Hattie does not like and the discovery of the wallet of a missing woman in the walls of the house. This story is fast-paced and keeps you guessing, plus has a touch of romance and some humor. I'd highly recommend it!

Who doesn't love a strong woman character who finds herself in crazy situations, including murder, friendships, and good looking men? Mary Kay Andrews does not disappoint with this book! I loved the main characters and, as a bonus, learned about Savannah, Georgia. The narrator, Kathleen McInerney, did a fabulous job moving from character to character.

This was the second book I read by Mary Kay Andrews and I enjoyed it so much that I have since gone back and read another one. The twists and turns in this story kept my interest late into the night.
Hattie Kavanaugh, the main character, restores old houses is Savannah. After sinking her money into a rehab that didn’t go well and losing a lot of money she is presented with the opportunity to restore another old house for a new reality TV show. The productions company throws her a bunch of curves including a costar designer who she can’t stand and who doesn’t understand her budget or concept for the house. The plot thickens when a wallet belonging to a longtime missing person is found in a wall, someone starts a dumpster fire and a body is found buried on the property. You will probably think you know who did the old murder, but probably not.. This was a fun read.
Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Picture a young Reese Witherspoon, Savannah, a home remodel show on HGTV, and a dead body found in the home. This book was very cute and exciting! If you are a fan of Elin Hildebrand and Nancy Thayer, you’ll like this fun summer read! I thought this book was a good mix of mystery, home reno, and romance. This book was on the longer side for a romance, 448 pages, but it read very quickly.

4.5 stars! Mary Kay Andrew's newest novel is the perfect beach read for this summer!

Hattie and her best friend, Cass, flip and renovate houses. After a not so great business deal, Hattie finds herself in debt. When she is approached by a TV producer who wants to create a show called Saving Savannah (starring her), Hattie realizes it is the only option she has for saving her father-in-law's business. Hattie buys an old home on Tybee Island that has a lot of history and secrets buried within. This creates some tension amongst the locals and reopens a missing persons case from 17 years ago.

This book was a winner for me. It had a mix of really everything: southern history, drama, romance, suspense and a small-town mystery. There was a great cast of supporting characters, and I loved the Savannah setting. I'm becoming a big fan of HGTV-type books, and I loved the premise of restoring an old home and having a reality TV show made about it. The fixer-upper parts were so thoroughly detailed I felt as though I was part of the set. Plus, I like how the mystery aspect of this book was influenced by Andrews own experience of renovating a home and finding a wallet from 66 years ago. Of note, this book is on the longer side, and I do wish there was a tiny bit more romance! The audio was excellent!

Read if you like:
-Restoring homes
-HGTV/ Reality TV
-Murder mysteries
-Love triangles
-Small-town vibes
-Georgia setting

This book has it all….mystery, romcom, the home improvement craze. What’s not to like? Hattie is a young widow that works for her father in law in the home improvement business. Her love of renovating old historical homes has landed her in the money pit. The only solution she can find is cohosting a reality show, The Homewreckers. Her problems seem to mount up, a self centered cohost, impossible deadlines, city inspector seemingly out to get her with fines, super tight budget, oh and let’s not forget there is a mystery surrounding the old beach house and a dead body is found on property. Peaked your interest? I just couldn’t put it down, fast paced and keeps you guessing. I enjoyed the narration of the book….walked a little longer than normal, it’s that good!
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC. I am voluntarily posting an honest review after reading an Advance Reader Copy of this story. #NetGalley #TheHomewreckers #Macmillan Audio

A 100+ year old home makeover, murder, reality TV and romance, what is not to love? A perfect whodunnit and beach read. The narration is done well.

Thank you #NetGalley, #MacMillanAudio, #MaryKayAndrews and #KathleenMcInerney for the advanced audiobook for my honest review..

Loved this book! Had a surprising plot addition. A definite repeat beach read. The author never disappoints.

Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) provided by the Author and Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

The narrator, Kathleen McInerney, does an excellent job with "The Homewreckers". She has a distinct voice for each character and adds so much to the listening experience. I loved this story of a widow who is trying to make her way in the male dominated construction trade. Hattie's father-in-law told her "Never fall in love with something that won't love you back." But Hattie can't help losing her heart to old houses and hot TV guys. I just love this genre bending book! It doesn't know if it is a Romance, a Mystery, Chick Lit, Contemporary Romance or What Ever. But I do know that I haven't read a book in a long time that I have enjoyed this much from the first page to the last.

Hattie Kavanaugh has broken her father-in-law's cardinal rule for house flipping: "Never fall in love with something that can't love you back" and is paying the price when she loses an old Savanah house that she has gotten over her head while flipping. When Mo Lopez, producer for HPTV, rides past this wonderful old house he is drawn to it and the fisty woman working on it. He proposes a new TV show about flipping in Savanah and he wants Hattie to be the star.

The house Hattie finds is a real 100-year-old wreck of a waterfront beach house property on Tybee Island. First, she has to obtain the place and then she has to deal with the Creedmore's who let it go to ruin and failed to pay the taxes. Lucky for Hattie, she wins the sealed foreclosure bid. But the production schedule set by the network is going to be tight, real tight and the budget is tighter. Add to that a handsome, L.A. designer and the executive at the network demanding hot and steamy "The Homewreckers" interactions and Hattie has a lot to deal with.

When the wallet of a long missing woman shows up in the house, that is just the start of a series of nasty happenings with Hattie right in the middle. Hattie and Mo grow closer together as the strange occurrences and the search for what happened to the missing woman haunt the production. Now Hattie has a choice: the hot L.A. designer or the solid producer for her own production of an HEA.

3.5 stars

Fans of Mary Kay Andrews will get exactly what they came for with this latest effort.

Hattie, the m.c., is in her early 30s, has a pretty cool gig working with her former father-in-law in construction, and has had some challenges: namely, the untimely death of her husband 7 years earlier as a result of a motorcycle accident. When Hattie is presented with an unusual opportunity to co-star with the city of Savannah in a house flipping show, she somewhat begrudgingly agrees. As anyone who has read any women's fiction or any Mary Kay Andrews can expect, there are some opportunities for love interests, personal growth, and general hijinks.

What makes this novel standout to me above other works I've read from Andrews is the mystery that ensues when a there's a shocking discovery at Hattie's flip. The mystery kept me a lot more engaged in the read (listen, in my case, since I was fortunate to receive the audiobook) than any of the romance or even Hattie's growth content did.

This is a great summertime audiobook. Despite some of its serious themes and motifs, there's a pervasive tone of lightheartedness and a feel-good vibe here, and there is absolutely no need to think too deeply. This will be an enjoyable beach read, listen on a road trip, or fun book to peruse on a lazy summer afternoon. Folks looking for something to fit this bill will be happy they called on Hattie for the job.