I’m not much on romances, but I still thoroughly enjoyed this book, although Lee and Rich seemed a little too good to be true to me, as did Charlotte and her late husband. No wonder Dara was so worried she would suffer by comparison! And it killed me that Dara could just blithely take time off to do what she wanted….um, where do you get the money to support yourself? Where do all of these artists in South Carolina get money? See, I guess I’m just too cynical for romance!

" ...a multigenerational probe into the complexity of love and the great mystery ride of marriage. A novel of casual choices and fateful consequences, A Great Marriage introduces two unforgettable families and the arrival of a stranger who rearranges their futures."
I had to include this quote because I couldn't say it better.
I found this novel so interesting. There are many characters and the author switches POV during chapters. At first, I thought this was strange, but it grew on me. They say you have to know the rules to break the rules. This well renowned author obviously knows what she is doing.
I think relationships, marriages, life choices, consequences, decisions - all of it is something we all can relate to.
I enjoyed the book very much.

*A special thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing-Ballantine for my ARC.
Publication date - August 13, 2024.

A multi generational story of relationships, love and the ups and downs of life. A cancelled wedding, unexpected child, a death and an awful accident adds to the story. At first the story has everyone happy and in love. All is rosy. But life is not perfect and the cracks start to appear. The story is interesting. It is a good story with lots of interesting characters. I liked it.

Dara has had a family history of strong, exceptional marriages. As she gets closer to entering into her own, she begins to question if she will be able to uphold the family tradition.
When her British fiancé makes a glaring confession, the wedding is put on hold indefinitely.
With Dara splitting her time in San Francisco, Washington DC, and North Carolina likewise Austin in London, will they persevere?
They both have a small but tight knit friend group that eventually melts together.
Dara’s parents, Lee and Rich have the picture perfect marriage. There is also the family matriarch, Charlotte, or Mimi to Dara who has written novels in what makes a good marriage. Dara begins to borderline obsessively ponder over whether her marriage to Austin will be like those written in her Mimi’s novels.

I enjoyed reading this book and getting to know the characters. A Great Marriage would be an excellent read for fans of Ann Patchett and Ann Napolitano. Very strong character development.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House-Ballantine for allowing me to read and review A Great Marriage by Frances Mayes.
Publication date: August 13, 2024.

This book started with too many characters. Lee was ruminating too much and it was as if nothing was happening. Maybe I am in the wrong mindset for this book right now. I really should have liked the book more based on the description. It is true to its description. I will I appreciated the complimentary arc. This review is my own words.

THE GREAT MARRIAGE
BY: FRANCES MAYES

What are our psychological traits embedded into our character, that will determine whether we as spouses contain the attributes that, differentiate our ability to have a good marriage, or a great marriage?

I chose to read this spectacularly well written, literary fiction novel due to my familiarity with this wonderful, insightful, and astute Author, named, Frances Mayes, and I am so grateful I did. This novel by far exceeded my expectations in the highest degree imaginable. I read and loved her earlier book called, Under the Tuscan Sun: At Home in Italy and never forgot it, a couple decades ago, about two years before my oldest son was born. I somehow lost track of her writing career, and when I saw her name as the author of this one, called, A Great Marriage I requested it right away without a moments hesitation, due to my great respect for her as an outstanding writer. I didn't even read the synopsis first, I just knew the title, which coincidentally is called, A Great Marriage. The coincidence is that this happens to be the fourth ARC in a row that I've read and reviewed having to do with marriage. They have all been extremely addictive, unputdownable novels that I adored, with each of them unique to one another offering something new to enjoy. I knew that I'd be in great hands with Frances Mayes, and I have to say that my instincts about this one going into reading it totally blind paid off in dividends. The other three were all great, but were heavier in tone, unlike this author's style which she infused into the narrative her terrific sense of humor, and wisdom that she inserted into the character development. I also felt that her knowledge about the arts which satisfied my personal taste was a welcomed addition enriching this to be more than a novel that examines strictly how we fall in love, and whether a marriage is good or great, or whether one lasts or ends, or whether it happens or not. What made this special, as I read on, I appreciated her gifts which are like pearls of wisdom giving me as a reader, a multi-faceted story from a mature author's perspective. For a change in literary fiction, this author has drawn on her life experience, casting light with a laser focus on what makes people tick, and why do we behave the way we do? This finely crafted literature is elevated by her warmth, which not only made me feel that this one was much lighter, that I hadn't realized was exactly what I needed until I turned the final page. You will be able to feel the nuances inserted into the writing that delivers with authenticity that precious feeling you get only from an author who is skilled at the craft to have created a wide range of characters. I really appreciated that because the other four were heavier and I needed something heartwarming that satisfied my appreciation for psychological complex relationships. I am enthusiastic that this will appeal to an audience who appreciates that extra stimulation of all their senses with some life experience since the author also infused some poetry to balance it out with an artistic flair. So, this was the most rewarding reading experience that came at the perfect time. Don't get me wrong there's a tragic event that happens that sends two characters that had seemingly at first glance what they thought was the perfect relationship and were due to be married in approximately one month or three weeks from when the novel begins in 1995, to put their beliefs to the test like youth generates. Due to bad judgement that has far reaching consequences on the character named Austin Clarke, who wanted more than anything to marry, Dara Willcox, who was going to be the bride. Their lives are blissfully happy until something that Austin didn't plan on happening, ends up overturning their plans and sending them off on two different trajectories with a cancelled wedding. I'm getting ahead of myself here, but I wanted to acknowledge that there is depth to both the characterizations and the plot. My impression is that this will resonate with readers who have more experience in life and have been in longer relationships that continue to endure. Also, this is for those who understand that what makes up the glue that keeps a marriage intact is the realization that there isn't perfection to be found in marriages that continue to grow even deeper with the passage of time.

I will start at the beginning, where there is a formal dinner planned at Dara's childhood home a month before Austin and Dara's wedding was to take place. If anybody has a great marriage it's Dara's mother Lee, who is writing a biography about William Butler Yeats, and Dara's, father named Rich who travels for his job all over the world. You could say that Dara won the lottery being blessed with two loving, supportive, and easy going parents. Who set a fine example in how healthy their marriage is by how well they interact together making great role models. Their happiness with one another is evident throughout the entire novel. Dara's mother Lee has set a stunning table with the dinner that was for Dara's two local friends who still reside in North Carolina who are going to be bridesmaids at her upcoming wedding to Austin. Austin's mother died and his father and sister are his only family, but aren't at the dinner since they live in London. Austin's two close friends are there with one of them from Delhi, India named, Amit, who works with him at the same New York City, and London based architectural firm that takes on huge projects on a large scale. Austin's other friend in attendance is named Luke, who has come up from Sarasota, Florida. The wild card is Lee's mother named Charlotte, who is Dara's maternal grandmother whom she calls Mimi. The foreshadowing event is when they are all seated and done eating their feast, Lee accidentally knocks over a crimson colored wine that stains her white linen table cloth, and some monogrammed white linen napkins with the wine also splashing Austin. Her puffy sleeve got caught on either one of the wine bottles or a crystal glass full. I happened to be guilty while I started typing this review, I had 3/4 of a white frosted, three layered chocolate cake, that I was eating while sitting on my couch enjoying it. I'm the only one who likes it so it's not going to spread my germs, but when I got up to put it back in our refrigerator it slid off the cake platter and went splat onto my computer keyboard and screen. I ran to get industrial strength paper towels quickly putting the cake away and washed my sticky hands. Then I rushed back as fast as possible armed with my absorbent, heavy duty paper towels cleaning my screen, but I'm not so sure how long this computer is going to last, since it went splat over my keyboard. That's what I get for my bad etiquette of not slicing a piece and putting it on a separate plate. I'm the only one home and thought I could get away with doing something I'd never done. After my spill, I saw the irony of the cake on my computer and the crimson red wine stain on Lee's good white linen tablecloth, and monogrammed napkins. Also, how the wine splashed up onto Austin. It could be my wild imagination seeing symbolism for what transpires in this novel that I can't mention since it would be spoiler content. I did however have an aha moment, after seeing my white cake frosting on my computer and this could be considered far fetched thinking. It dawned on me that the imagery of that accidental wine stain is significant with what happens in the plot much later in the book. Only the author knows There has to be some significance for opening with a pleasant dinner for family and close friends that everyone behaves at enjoying great cuisine, and expensive wine and champagne. For inserting that descriptive ruby red wine stain on the white tablecloth, splashing at Austin, doesn't appear as random after finishing the novel. Where one bucket is silver that matches the cutlery to cool the spirits. The other one is borrowed from the florist that's filled bursting with beautiful peach roses on the side table that grow on the property of lush colors in their meadow.

Also the next scene is later that night when everyone is supposed to be sleeping, Lee gets out of bed and goes outside and finds Austin relaxing. It's late and through Charlotte's inner thoughts she is thinking how much she can tell her daughter, Lee loves Austin. Charlotte is more reserved before she makes up her mind about him, but she witnessed how lovingly he looked at Dara, her granddaughter. Charlotte is staying overnight in her former childhood home that she grew up in which she gave to her daughter, Lee and son-in-law Rich, when they got married and started a family. She keeps a guest room for herself, but she can 't wait to get home to her beach cottage in South Carolina, where the windows face the ocean and beach. While Austin is thanking Lee outside for hosting such a lovely dinner party, Rich is awake in bed thinking about his flight he has to travel on Monday morning to Alaska about an oil spill. He's also thinking how in a few weeks his sweet daughter will be getting married on their property. Everything has been ordered. All of the arrangements made down to wrapped wedding gifts also have started to arrive. He is waiting to hear soft footsteps sneaking down the hallway to Dara's bedroom. He remembers when Lee spent the night at his mother and father's home how Lee and himself did the same thing while she met his parents when they were approaching the time that precipitated the evening gathering. He remembers a father who was full of rage for no reason at all. He also remembers how Lee handled herself with her steadfast smile, after overhearing his father asking him if she was as dumb as she sounded. This was from our gaining as the reader Rich's stream of consciousness.

The next day when everyone leaves, Austin is driving Dara back to her townhouse that Lee's mother, Charlotte, generously gave to Dara, her granddaughter. Charlotte had lived there with her great husband whom she had a colossally successful marriage with him in Washington D.C., when he was a Senator. He died from a massive heart attack. It's near Georgetown where Dara graduated from college and she is deciding whether she wants to go to law school there or Columbia in New York where Austin has an apartment nearby. His architectural firm has its United States, headquarters based both in New York City and London. He just finished designing a prestigious library as one of the lead architects handing in his drafted sketches the night before he attended the pre-wedding dinner. Dara is sifting out her step grandfather's files for a biographer who is paying her as an assistant while she sorts through the relevant paperwork. She is working as an intern at HUD until they decide where they will live. Whether Austin works from New York or London and if they have to commute they are determined to make it work. Austin met Dara one weekend at an art gallery when they happened to be watching the same exhibit. He loves her energetic, confident dazzling chemistry that they both found in each other. She feels like they make a happy example of compatibility, and it feels as if he is as close to as perfect of a fiancee as there is reminding her of her parents union.

I always said that when getting romantically involved that it's worth taking things slow giving two people the length of time that it takes to get to know each other. There's no need to rush into a lifelong commitment in a short amount of time no matter how wonderful it feels. It takes at least over a year before you really get the chance to know each other. Go out a couple times a week and have fun without rushing to be exclusive. I don't remember how eloquently this author described how they both knew that they had found in each other exactly what they were waiting for. If ever I have read a novel before, and I seldom read romance that's so popular with much younger readers. My thoughts are that this novel portrayed to me that Dara and Austin are two people who were instantly involved like soulmates by love at first sight. In my experience, they fell into the category of giving into that honeymoon phase and rushed things since it felt so intense between them. I get it. When I was younger there were times looking back, that I did get involved based on how great the chemistry felt with boyfriends and how I felt I had met the perfect one. In hindsight, I was lucky that I met some great guys. However, it's the ones that I took things slow with becoming friends with first, that have looking back on were the relationships that were the ones that would have been great husbands. Luckily, I didn't want to get married right away, so I had waited until I was ready to settle down, before I was ready to get married.

Austin had to go to the London headquarters where he is from, and he and Amit and a few friends from Cambridge went out drinking one night where they were all happy to reconnect. Austin ran into an old girlfriend from the architectural program who he was with in his junior year at Cambridge. He broke things off with her because she acted needy and obsessed with him. Amit grew up with her in Delhi and she knew from Amit that Austin was going to be there. They all went back to her apartment where she kept the bourbon flowing with a plan to be intimate with him for the last time. Her name was Shelly and she'd left a message on his answering machine saying she had to talk to him. Shelly knew he was with Dara but before they were exclusive and now seven months later she is not calling to congratulate him on his marriage. She wanted a part of him for herself forever and she was never going to tell him, but he has been dreading her calling back with news to blow his world apart. She has a rare condition with her low blood platelet count that clots the blood, so she told him and he drove to Washington D.C. to tell Dara. Dara quietly listens calmly, she says she's sorry, but says they had been together then and she hasn't got much to say to him other than they'll talk in the morning. She makes him sleep in the guest bedroom and when he gets up in the morning she's left his mother's antique engagement ring and he checks and her bed hasn't been slept in and she's gone.

Dara drove all night back to her parents home down in North Carolina. She tells her parents that there isn't going to be a wedding. She won't tell her parents, her best friends, her grandmother the reason why. Dara is cut deep by Austin's news and she tells her parents she's sorry about the short notice about cancelling the wedding. She offers her mother her help with cancelling everything that has to be let know having to due with the arrangements. Her parents don't push her into telling them why.

I liked how when Dara left her parents that day she drove down to South Carolina to stay with her grandmother who she informs her the wedding is off and she won't tell her grandmother the reason either. Her grandmother is a psychologist who has written several books that are bestsellers sold internationally. Dara is interested in the one of them that is about what makes a good marriage. I liked how they talked and this author's background in psychology which she uses Dara's grandmother as a means of channeling her knowledge about the differences between making a good marriage and the chapter in the book that explains what makes a great marriage. I won't say here what the components are that differentiate a good marriage V. a great marriage. This does deal with some of the heavier elements with this author's obvious multi-faceted talent in her wisdom that can only be gleaned from life experience. I love how this author keeps a sense of humor and her signature style of warmth has weaved a tapestry sewn with golden thread infused with class, that made this such a powerful novel. This isn't a depressing book at all. I have nothing but praise about the skillful storytelling that always felt hopeful. I also enjoyed the poetry that is written that Dara's mother is writing about. The settings sounded idyllic and the kaleidoscope of colors used to describe a sunrise or sunset over the ocean sounded heavenly. I liked how the famous Rhode Island School of Design was utilized with the artwork used to remodel the hotel. I actually went there with one of my best friends who had an interview there when we were young. This is a fantastic narrative that is so enjoyable and I'm guessing that I probably won't get as lucky to read something so wonderful with my ARCS waiting. I adored this novel and it was a pleasure to read and review it. I think I jinxed myself by saying to a great friend how lucky I've been to have read so many stunning ARCS in a row. I'm superstitious and I knew better than to say it, just like I knew it was a lazy and bad idea to bring that chocolate cake in my living room on the cake dish. I disagree with some of the other reviewers who said that there were too many characters introduced in the beginning. I didn't experience that being an issue at all. I LOVED THIS! The author wrote a beautiful novel that encompassed a wide array of unique characters that I would love to see more like this one. It's a favorite novel of mine that is rare in my experience that offers so much warmth, depth and wisdom. I wish that I would encounter more novels like this one. This is one that I'll be recommending to every reader I know.

Publication Date: August 13, 2024

Thank you to Net Galley, the talented Frances Mayes, and Random House Publishing Group--Ballantine/Ballantine Books for generously providing me with my terrific ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. I was not required to post a positive review. My enthusiastic response is because I loved this novel immensely.

#AGreatMarriage #FrancesMayes #RandomHousePublishingGroupBallantineBallantineBooks #NetGalley

I would like to thank Random House, Vanessa Duque and Net Galley for the opportunity to read this book as an ARC. This is a complex book to read. There are a lot of characters and story lines. The chapters have different points of view, and they are not always easy to follow. The writing is lyrical and sweet, but not always clear. The characters are compelling and engaging. The storyline is hard to condense, with out spoilers, but Dara and Austin are young and in love. He is from England, she is from South Carolina. They are planning a wedding,when Austin gets news that upends their plans. They cancel the wedding and live their own lives. Then a chance trip by Dara's parents to England, suddenly brings Dara and Austin together. There is a lot going on in this book. Maybe too much, there are some subplots that really pulled me away from the main characters. It is not an easy beach read, but one that requires some thought and understanding. I found the effort to be worth it!

Thank you to NetGalley, Ballantine Books and Frances Mayes for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of A Great Marriage. These opinions are strictly my own.
In the beginning of my reading of this novel I felt it was a good family drama but as I was getting closer to the end I was amazed at how enchanted I became with the story and these amazing characters. I loved the references to other books and authors and found I so agree that life can be a "mess" and we just have to move on and do the best we can. All of the characters experienced growth and I found myself identifying with some of their situations. The characters exhibited great emotion and I became firmly attached to them. I found myself thinking about them and wondering how their problems were going to be solved. All of the puzzle pieces fit nicely by the end and I was satisfied with how the plot was creatively crafted. I look forward to reading some of this author's backlist and hope for more in the future

When we meet Dara Wilcox and Austin Clarke they are at a dinner celebration for their upcoming marriage. From two different worlds, Dara , an American about to enter law school , and Austin, a British architect with a promising career , they share a deep love and mutual respect. The two have worked out a future which takes into account both of their diverse needs.

Suddenly, unthinkable news shatters their world. Austin must return to London and a life that he could never have anticipated. Dara, shocked, disappointed and unwilling to accept the path Austin’s life has taken, returns his ring and sets off on her own in an attempt to figure out what she will do with the rest of her life.

Beautifully written, poignant and captivating, A Great Marriage, asks the reader to examine his/ her own conscience about the importance of honesty, faithfulness, forgiveness and mostly the deeper meaning of a loving relationship. Frances Mayes has come up with an original plot and characters who creep into your soul.

I found myself reading to the end and hoping against hope that Dara and Austin might rekindle their flame. Much of this book was a five star read but the ending was tied up in a big red ribbon , devoid of the thought provoking insightfulness in the earlier pages. My overall rating is four lovely stars for a book that is enjoyable and carries a deeper message. My thanks to NetGalley and Random House/Ballantine Books for an ARC in exchange for my honest review. Publication date is August 13, 2024. Get ready for a treat.

I would say this is a solid escape book for the summer. I loved the premise of this book, on the celebration of a couples engagement, news is received by the groom that irrevocably changes the course of the brides future. While this grabs the attention of the reader it was a bit hard to connect with the characters for long due to the lack of responsibility at hand due to privilege, or possibly them being just too good to be true. Overall, I believe readers will really enjoy this one, I however might be too cynical!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC!

Engaging and immersive. A recommended purchase for collections where WF and family sagas are popular.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book by Frances Mayes. On the brink of Dara's marriage to Austin, she learns news that will shake the foundation of their relationship and make her look at everything with new eyes. Thankfully, she has family and friends that support her and help her through her journey. The same goes for Austin. I liked learning more about both families and how they dealt with the "mess" that was created. Highly recommend!

Dara Willcox leads a charmed life. Her parents, Lee and Rich, are devoted to each other and to her. Her grandmother, Mimi, is a firecracker, a force of nature, but also a thoughtful woman who has written best-selling books on marriage—and divorce. Dara went to Georgetown to college, where she made wonderful friends. Now, while she’s taking a year off to decide which top-tier law school she’s going to go to, she is living in Mimi’s DC townhouse (Mimi has retired to the South Carolina coast), organizing the papers of her now-dead step-grandfather, who had been a larger-than-life man and a US Senator, and working at HUD as well as interning writing for the White House.

Dara meets the dream man, architect Austin Clarke—isn’t “architect” always the dream profession in romance?—and the only fly in the ointment is that not only does he not live in DC, he is such a high flyer that his firm sends him back and forth between New York and London frequently, and sometimes other places as well. But that doesn’t stop the golden couple, who are planning a wedding as we begin, in April 1995, with the enthusiastic help of family and friends.

Now a bigger fly plunges into the ointment. Austin receives shocking news that he must tell Dara. Dara doesn’t take the news well and calls off the wedding. The two go their separate ways. Austin returns to London, where his father and sister are antiquarian booksellers, and with their help he copes with his changed circumstances. Dara’s impulse is to run as far away as she can to avoid talking or thinking about Austin and the reason for their broken engagement.

But, as always, life goes on for everyone, including Dara, Austin, Rich and Lee, Mimi, and all of their friends. The book takes us through the rest of that eventful 1995, and the eventful lives of these characters.

This book reminded me so much of a Rosamund Pilcher novel. Like Pilcher, Mayes has a talent for describing people, places, houses, rooms, food and drink, nature, and relationships and emotions between and among friends and family members. Her description of a character’s first trip to San Francisco and being overcome by its beauty reminded me so much of my first visit to San Francisco in the early 1980s. Along with the usual sights, including the Golden Gate Bridge, the Bay Bridge, the crooked part of Lombard Street, Angel Island, she describes the charms of an apartment just outside the Presidio that sounds just like an apartment my husband and I considered.

While some of the characters sometimes seem too good to be true, and their lives too privileged, that doesn’t make them seem any less human and subject to the challenges life throws our way.

4.5 stars, rounded to 5.

This was an interesting book. It begins at Dara’s family home with a dinner to celebrate the soon to be wed couple Dara and Austin. The meal goes well, and Dara’s family are all excited to welcome Austin into their family. However, shortly after the dinner Austin is contacted by someone from his past with life changing news. As Austin grapples with the news he tells Dara and she immediately breaks off their engagement and cancels the wedding. What follows is a lot of soul searching for Dara and Austin as they both grapple with everything that came between them and what their futures will look like. There were many interesting side characters in this book and the different settings were beautiful. I love a book that puts me in a difficult situation and makes me think about what I would do if faced with the same choice, and this book definitely did that for me. An interesting read that will make you think. I received an ARC and this is my honest review.

I love Frances Mayes so I jumped at the opportunity to read her latest novel. As usual, her descriptions of place and food were great. Most of her characters likeable. My main issue with the story is Dara. She is spoilt by her grandmother (a townhouse in D.C. for free), parents who seem to have indulged her every whim and she seems to not really work since she has time and money to travel anytime. In spite of that I enjoyed the story very much until the end when it all wraps up in an unbelievable manner.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my review.

A Great Marriage unfortunately didn’t quite hit the spot for me. While I usually enjoy a family saga book, I didn’t manage to finish this one.
However I am sure it will be a popular read and will be checked out by our library patrons.

The author’s name will keep this book on readers’ want lists, but I didn’t love the book. I see it as a must offer, but not necessarily a must recommend. Not a strong as her previous, but a good enough read. For her fans, you need it.

I will state t the beginning that I skimmed most of this book as it was too descriptive and draggy. Paragraphs went on forever and included so many different topics at once. That is not how I believe writing should be and I didn't enjoy it.

The story centered on two characters who fall in love and are planning to be married in a few days, but they are just meeting the parents now; that felt off. Then the man, Austin, was given some news that changed everything. The woman, Dara, runs home to her folks, tells them the wedding is off, but doesn't say why; she just says trust me. They obviously don't know what to think.

He has to go back to London to handle the situation. She runs away to California. Her life seems so different from reality for most of us. Just run away? Jobs? Responsibilities? He steps up and does what is needed and it is the right thing to do. Eventually different family members get in touch and I won't say more.

Too long by many, many pages. We did not need most of the details. I didn't really care for any of the characters. I felt a bit sorry for Austin, but not for Dara; The others? Not at all.

Thank you NetGalley for an advance reader copy. Honest opinions expressed here are my own and are freely given

A beautifully written love story that is unique, modern and lovely. Austin and Dara love each other, but when a mistake knocks on Austin's door, can their love survive? I was rooting for this couple the entire book.
Thank you, NetGalley, for an advanced copy of this novel.

3.5 stars rounded up. A well written story, mostly about a couple who’s wedding is canceled for an obscure reason. Their families rally around them, support their respective situations, and the end is all tied up into a neat package. However, there is a deeper plot, where actually the “Great Marriage” is most likely about one set of parents. Also, other relationships are described which could be stand-ins for “great marriages.” Despite this deeper message, I felt it was soap-opera-y and didn’t really enjoy it.