Summer Rental: A Novel

I don't know how MKA does it, but no matter how different the subject matter, she always hooks me with her plots and has me deeply engaged with her characters. I just LOVE her books. Especially the Weezie and Bebe stories, but all of them really. She hits the mark again here, with just enough suspense and intrigue to liven up the romance. My one regret is that we never learned what happened to Biggie - I found myself agonizing over him at the end of the book - please resolve animals too! I just hope MAK keeps writing!

Summer is all too short here in my little corner of the world, and I’m always a little sad when Labor Day weekend rolls around. Hmm…how to extend that summertime feeling just a little longer? Why, Mary Kay Andrews, of course! MKA is the Queen of beachy-summer reads and I can always count on her to bring a little southern charm and sunshine into my life, regardless of the season. This is the story of three women in their 30’s who have been best friends since childhood. Julia, Dorie and Ellis spend a “girls-only” month in the Outer Banks in a semi-dilapidated cottage owned by hunky Ty Bazemore. Everyone is at loose ends: Ellis has just lost her job (and a sizeable chunk of her identity), Dorie’s marriage is in crisis and Julia can’t commit to her long-time love. For his part Ty is in deep financial trouble and in imminent danger of losing the cottage to the bank. Add an enigmatic stranger that’s fleeing something – or someone – into the mix and you have the perfect recipe for a steamy August vacation at the beach. This was a cute story, but lacked the southern charm of the author’s other novels set in Savannah or Charleston. I do have to say that reading this book brought back a lot of fun memories of long ago beach vacations spent in ramshackle cottages that became “home” for a few short weeks. While the writing itself is good, there's a bit of a soap opera quality to the storyline, with the characters all caught up in various personal melodramas. At nearly 500 pages this book felt a bit too long to me; there’s just not enough story here to fill all those pages and there were times when I felt like the book just ran out of steam. Still, it was a pleasant read and I could practically smell the Coppertone and feel the sand in my flip-flops, and that’s really what I was looking for. I waffled between a 3 or 4 star rating for this one, but overall I enjoyed it so 4 stars it is! Occasional swearing/strong language and some brief adult content.

I loved this "CHICKALICIOUS" summer beach read. Anything this author writes is wonderful, however I felt this is one of her best. Kept your interest until the last page. Although predictable, this chick book was fun to read. I loved the girly friendships, the romance, and the high stakes drama involved. Mary Kay Andrews has done it again. I am not one to summarize the entire story in a review. Best to just rate it and let the next reader begin the adventures . I give this book a 10+ and highly recommend all of her books. She is one of my most favorite authors.

I adore her books. They're guaranteed to be a sweet, fun read with relateable characters. Mary Kay Andrews manages to capture female comradery so perfectly every time!

I was disappointed to see I was sent a used book did not order it to be used, the book it self was good but do not want used book sent to me

Themes of friendship, trust, and challenging events during a tough economy pepper the pages of this delightful book. Ellis, Julia, and Dorie have been friends since early childhood, but now, separated geographically and by their circumstances, they are looking forward to their summer vacation in a beach house in Nags Head, North Carolina. Dorie's sister Willa has begged her way into the vacation, but Ellis is determined not to let anything annoy her. She has arranged it all online, and of all the women, she is feeling very much in need of something she can control. She has just been "downsized" after a successful banking career, so her future looks uncertain. Arriving first, she is somewhat disappointed by how much the house needs a major overhaul, but decides to make the best of it. While waiting for her friends, she observes a man in the garage apartment next door...a hunky man. But she is determined to focus on the friendship connections. When the three friends gather together, they start off the month like a real girlfriend getaway. But all kinds of things happen over the next few days and weeks that turn things into so much more. A stray woman with secrets of her own manages to rent one of the rooms--after Dorie's sister Willa cancels out on them--and trying to ferret out this woman's secrets could turn everything into a completely different kind of event. Mix in some romance and girlfriend makeovers, and you have a fun page-turner. The thrilling ending has enough excitement to keep the reader turning pages. Despite these events, Summer Rental was a pleasant, somewhat predictable read in many ways. But the aforementioned elements kept it from being tired or stale, so I gave it four stars.

I look forward to Mary Kay Andrew's books and this one was not a disappointment. After reading some of the negative reviews I was worried that something was amiss but I was pleasantly surprised that it was classic Mary Kay and I enjoyed it very much. I must give MKA major props for her loyalty to John D. MacDonald. She has managed to work him into a couple of her books and mentions him in this one on page 323 referring to his book "The Turquoise Lament" when Maryn/Madison is reading one of the old books she found on the house bookshelves. I have read all 21 of John D. MacDonald's Travis McGee series books that are in re-release. All of the books in this series have a color in the name of the book. I believe he deserved special recognition just for his creativity in naming his books. Here's a few: Freefall in Crimson, The Deep Blue Goodbye, The Long Lavender Look, Cinnamon Skin, Bright Orange for the Shroud, Darker Than Amber, The Lonely Silver Rain, etc, etc. Apparently, John D. MacDonald has had a huge impact on MKA. I love her for remembering him. He wrote mystery novels for decades from the 40's through the 80's until his death in 1986. Anytime I see her mention him, I feel a kinship with Ms. Andrews and a nostalgia for south Florida where I spent some of my youth growing up. I can so relate to John D. MacDonald's rants on the devastation of the beautiful Florida that was once pristine and undeveloped. Until the invention of air conditioning it was basically a swamp land and rich sanctuary for wildlife. I think Mary Kay Andrews has a love for John D. MacDonald's bohemian description of the lifestyle of Travis McGee and I have to chuckle that deep in her soul and mine we have a love for that man!!! I think her writing is a nod to him in that she keeps it close to home and all in good fun. I always enjoy MKA's books for a romp through the steamy South and when I finish one of her books I am ready to pack up the car and head to the beach. I live in the South and we love our beach vaccays and seafood that's for sure! The beach just seems to cure what ails you. Thanks Mary Kay, can't wait till your next book.

I needed to relax over the weekend after a whirlwind week of work. This story was a great diversion and kept me reading almost nonstop: some tingly romance, some lol crazy, hanging out with the girls antics, a bit of serious intrigue and a happy ever after ending, for the most part. Mary Kay Andrews is my favorite hopeful romantic writer of strong real women characters. I loved it and think it would make a great movie! Now I am ordering copies as gifts for my girl group.

If you're a sucker for a romance. This is your book.

This was a fun summer read ... not exactly great lit, but perfect for the beach with a drink in hand.

This was a great easy read! There were a few twists and suspenseful moments that brought it even further to live.

I get so much pleasure from reading Mary Kay Andrews books, she is a very gifted author. The characters come jumping off the pages, she has wit and pathos and is extremely easy to read. I hope to collect every one of her books by stages, she is GREAT.

Enjoyed this, had a bit of suspense, female long-term friendships, a bit of romance but not too much (too much makes it a Harlequin Romance, ugh).