Love her writing and stories. Good to see her out with a new book. Thoroughly enjoyed the book.

Thanks for the early read.

Thanks NetGalley for the arc! I really loved the premise of this story and the characters within it, however I really struggled through the writing structure to get fully invested and hooked into the story itself. I’m not sure if that is because of where the book is in the editing process, but the shifts in first person to third person while focused with the same character was confusing and disruptive while reading.

A Great Marriage was the first book I've read by Frances Mayes, so I wasn't sure what to expect. This is the story of Dara Wilcox and Austin Wilcox who meet and fall deeply in love. The book opens with a prenuptial dinner at her parents' house, and it's all perfect until some wine is spilled. Several family members see this as a possible bad omen, and it turns out to be just that. Austin receives distressing news that disrupts their plans and the wedding is canceled. Dara flees to California to visit with friends, then heads to South Carolina to help restore an inn. There are moments of angst and some drama, but it reminded me of a Hallmark movie in book form. My mother-in-law used to love to read books with very mild dramatics (where nobody suffered from serious illness or died) and the ending was all tied up neatly with a big bow. This book made me think of her as she would have loved it.

I found the author's writing style difficult to read. She used a lot of sentence fragments and once I started noticing them, I had difficulty concentrating on what she was saying and found myself paying attention to how she had written it. But if you like your books to be mainly romantic escapes where nobody really suffers and characters live happily ever after, this one may bring you enjoyment. (And as a bonus, it has an arresting and interesting cover!)

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for providing me with a copy of this book. It will be published August 13, 2024.

One phone call is all it takes to end a seemingly perfect engagement, and cause many lives to change.

This was a wild ride! There were so many characters and connections to explore. I guess it goes without saying that the families are WEALTHY because how else could Dara just take time off to go to California at the drop of a hat?

This was a very intriguing story with heart wrenching moments and memorable characters.

Finishing this book, I had the thought that it was the type of story my grandmother would have enjoyed. I remember her saying something like, “I just want a story about a family who goes through some problems and everything turns out right in the end.” This is that kind of story. Lots of family members and lovely imagery. Strife and tragedy that leads or feeds into love.

This was an advance copy from NetGalley and it definitely had moments where editing/correction was needed, especially in cases of missing quotation marks or italics. The overall writing style didn’t always work for me, either. Narration sometimes switched from first person to third person in a way that was hard to get used to. The beginning was a lot of jumbled inner monologues, almost journalesque— at times the book felt like being in someone’s brain with so many thoughts buzzing around.

Still, it pulled me in. There were times that it dragged- especially scenes with multiple people being told the same story again and again- but it was worth reading, even if it’s not my usual type of book.

I am a sucker for a romance. I simply love them. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I highly recommend it.
That being said, it does have a rather large cast of characters, which I found difficult to keep straight in the beginning, at least until their personalities emerged more fully and the events unfolded. Interestingly, there were snippets here and there, within the framework of the cushion a wealthy family can provide in the wake of an event that causes a major undoing, that revealed true thoughtfulness about what it is to love deeply and with unconditional commitment.
4.5 stars

4.5 ⭐️ Lyrical & captivating.
Beautifully written & told.
The rich imagery ... the gorgeous language. The literary references abound and delight.
One of those rare books you cannot wait to continue reading yet never want to end.
I am not a re-reader of books, but this one ... yes, a must. I want to continue to dwell in it.
And such a stunning cover.

With great thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group — Ballantine for this e-ARC!

No one writes sweeping sagas like Frances Mayes. A Great Marriage was a real treat! I know I’ll be seeing copies of this book everywhere come August.

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for the ARC!

I enjoy Frances Mayes's books, but I confess I loved her memoirs about moving to Tuscany (one of my favorite places) and starting a new life there. "A Great Marriage" is a perfect book to take on vacation, because it has lots of plot, a variety of characters, romance, heartbreak, but satisfying resolutions.

The criticisms are that unless you are very wealthy and privileged, you might not be able to relate to the characters. Still, I enjoyed the book, and it was a quick read.

Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the eARC to review this book.

This romantic tale centers on Dara and Austin, who appear to be the ideal couple on the brink of marriage. But as their wedding day draws near, unexpected events compel Dara to cancel the celebration, throwing both their relationship and their optimistic families into chaos. Now separated and in different places, the question remains: will Dara and Austin repair their bond, or is this the conclusion of their love story?

If you love happily ever after and Hallmark movies, then this is the book for you. There’s no angst, no conflict, and only one dramatic moment. Every relationship is the perfect marriage or will be. The characters are weakly drawn and could stand in for each other..

Rollercoaster of a ride with this book. Dara and Austin have a fairytale romance with their pending marriage in one month. Dark clouds enter the horizon when an ex girlfriend pops back into the picture. Beautiful layed plans are turned upside down with life and death decisions. Very good read. I was given an advanced reader copy of this well written book by NetGalley and I am freely sharing my review

This is a fast-paced, compelling story with a varied cast of many interesting, memorable characters. Dara grew up with role models of great marriages. Her parents are totally devoted to one another. Her grandmother, a writer, even has written a couple books on great marriages, and she had a great second marriage with a Senator, until he died.
Despite their different backgrounds, When Dara and Austin met there was an immediate connection – almost love at first sight. Now they are engaged and celebrating the upcoming wedding. Austin, an architect from London, England, and Dara from North Carolina, with plans for law school.
All the plans for a beautiful wedding are in place, when one phone call changes the direction of many lives. Austin finds himself back in London, however, before he leaves, Dara gives his ring back. She consoles herself with a trip to California to visit friends, and plans to finally enroll in law school, which was her original plan all along.
This story is somewhat of a wild ride, with unexpected events, as well as unexpected romances. Once I really got into it, putting it down was nearly impossible.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All comments and opinions are my own.

I found one of the most poignant lines of this book is that in a great marriage and relationship, that there should be no but when describing your partner. In stating and while wanting them to be the best and selflessly putting their goals and desires besides oneself, that the results will certainly be better than one could have imagined. It certainly was evident in Lee and Rich and was a great demonstration as to what Dara wanted to have. She thought she had it in Austin and they floated through idyllic bliss when the intent of marriage and always having their lips on each others. However, circumstances change and what Austin had to take on is a drastic change and commendable that he took on the role so well and celebrated Hawthorn. He let his career as an architect take a back seat to the greater role he needed to play. Dara had a hard time coming to grips with this as evidenced by her inability to share the news with her parents nor Moira or Mei. As the book.evolved and further events played out in London, the reader truly realizes the preciousness of life and like at the end, it really needs to be celebrated. Nothing is more important than knowing you are loved.

The author of Under a Tuscan Sun is BACK!
In, A Great Marriage, Southern-born Dara Willcox is set to marry Brit Austin Clarke. It's close to love at first sight and they both quite young. Dara's family has rallied for the cause and a great wedding is set to happen when a sudden es vent jettisons both of the engaged far from each other.

Mayes introduces us to many, many characters and we learn a lot about them via there inner thoughts. The novel moves quickly and you surely do not know where it will go. By the end, you are half in love with most of the characters and wish you could step in tot he book and live along with them. A Great Marriage reminded me a bit of A Little Life as it was all-encompassing and beautifully wrought. It is a great deal happier than that story though, don't worry!

It goes unsaid, but these families are quite wealthy. I don't hold it against them, but I think it could have been mentioned a bit more. Volunteering a few hours at HUD in college does not offset the great great familial wealth that is on display. Nevertheless, it's a fantastic book and I know you will love it!
#randomhouse #agreatmarriage #francesmayes #underatuscansun

“A Great Marriage” is the delightful new novel by Frances Mayes.

Dara meets Austin and thinks she’s found her happily ever after, even though they’re headed on different paths. However, soon after their engagement, when Austin receives surprising news, Dara backs out, surprising her parents and grandmother, the latter who wrote a book about how a good marriage works. While Dara flees, first to California, and then to South Carolina, Austin returns to his home in London to take on the possibility for his previous actions.

I did not enjoy this book as much as “Under the Tuscan Sun,” but it does a good job about exploring relationships—especially marriage—in a way that is not sugar-coated. Expect a few surprisingly plot points and a few memorable moments.

Four stars.

Thanks to the author, NetGalley, and the publisher for a chance to read and review this memorable book.

I enjoyed Frances Mayes prior books and relished reading A Great Marriage. A little twist in this book, however I managed to get reorientated quite easily. Austin and Dara were the main item in the story. They lived separately in London and North Carolina, D.C., or New York. Austin's family lived in London and were the proprietors of book stores. He traveled from London to wherever his job as an architect would take him. Dara and family was from North Carolina. She was working on a Senators life works and a Law Degree. Austin and Dara were just about to get married when he gets sidelined by his ex who hit him with "I'm pregnant" at eight months. Mayes gets to sort things out by having the worst thing happen to Shelley and that is having her die in childbirth. Austin mans up and does the right thing and takes the child. Mayes turns things around and gets them back together and that's what the story is about. It's interesting and amazing how Mayes works things out. Read it, you won't regret it.

I like Mayes' books as they give me a glimpse into how the other half lives. A Great Marriage doesn't disappoint in this regard. I really liked Austin with his flaws and earnestness. Dara is an entitled, unlikeable, spoiled brat. I wish that Austin had moved on from her. The ending was a little rushed. All in all, Mayes' fans will enjoy this book (without the satisfaction of Under the Tuscan Sun, but still...).

Premise great. Not a fan of the writing.
Thanks to author, publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book. While I got the book for free it had no bearing on the rating I gave it.

A Great Book! Fantastic drama and exploration of relationships. I enjoyed the writing and pace. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.