Road Trip by Mary Kay Andrews

Road Trip

Book Summary

Pack your bags for a summer journey shaped by family secrets, long-buried history, and charming men with Irish accents.

Maeve and Therese Dunigan haven’t spoken in years. Raised under the same roof in Savannah, the two sisters could not be more opposite—Maeve the rule follower, Therese the unapologetic rebel. But when their mother’s death pulls them back together, they inherit more than just grief: a mysterious painting that may be worth millions…if it’s real.

Determined to uncover the truth—and desperately in need of the money—the sisters set out on a journey to Ireland, tracing their family’s roots and the origins of the portrait. What begins as a search for answers soon becomes something deeper—a reckoning with the past, as they uncover secrets that span generations and reshape everything they thought they knew about their family.

With tensions simmering, the two hit the road and find themselves on twisty lanes, in colorful villages, at local pubs, and with handsome men whose gift of the gab is surpassed only by their charm.

Can Maeve and Therese actually survive the journey without killing each other? Join Mary Kay Andrews on a road trip that will entertain you for miles.

My Thoughts

I picked up Road Trip by Mary Kay Andrews because the combination of family secrets, family drama, and a road trip sounded especially appealing. There were certainly interesting ideas throughout, and I could see what the story was aiming for, but it didn’t connect with me as strongly as I had hoped. I had a hard time warming up to some of the characters, especially Therese, and the number of secondary characters occasionally made the story feel a bit crowded. At 439 pages, the novel also felt somewhat longer than necessary, with certain details revisited more often than I would have preferred. The romance moved a little quickly for my taste, and I wasn’t fully convinced by the chemistry between the couple. I also found some of the language not to my personal preference. For me, this story lacked the charm and spark I usually associate with Mary Kay Andrews. The premise was strong, but the execution didn’t fully live up to its potential.

Road Trip can be ordered from Amazon as well as other major booksellers.  You can find Mary Kay Andrews other novels here.  The pictures that I shared today are from Ireland. It is a country that I have always wanted to visit.  How about you?  In Ireland, you could you greet somone casually by saying, "What’s the craic?" (How's it going?) or Haigh (which is Hi). 

I will be sharing my thoughts on Silent Witness by Tracy Fredrychowski on Wednesday, June 3.  It is the third An Amish Book Club Mystery. I am off to take care of some chores (I wish the house could sweep and dust itself). Take care and I hope today treats you kindly. Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

The Santa Suit by Mary Kay Andrews

 The Santa Suit

Book Summary

When newly-divorced Ivy Perkins buys an old farmhouse sight unseen, she is definitely looking for a change in her life. The Four Roses, as the farmhouse is called, is a labor of love—but Ivy didn't bargain on just how much labor. The previous family left so much furniture and so much junk, that it's a full-time job sorting through all of it.

At the top of a closet, Ivy finds an old Santa suit—beautifully made and decades old. In the pocket of a suit she finds a note written in a childish hand: it's from a little girl who has one Christmas wish, and that is for her father to return home from the war. This discovery sets Ivy off on a mission. Who wrote the note? Did the man ever come home? What mysteries did the Rose family hold?

Ivy's quest brings her into the community, at a time when all she wanted to do was be left alone and nurse her wounds. But the magic of Christmas makes miracles happen, and Ivy just might find more than she ever thought possible: a welcoming town, a family reunited, a mystery solved, and a second chance at love. 

My Thoughts

Ivy Perkins has been divorced nine months to the day when she arrives to move into the Four Roses Farm.  She finds the farmhouse not looking quite like it did in the pictures and the house full of furniture the seller did not want. In master bedroom closet, she finds a box contains a beautiful Santa suit.  In the pocket, she finds an old letter addressed to Santa asking him to bring the little girl’s father home for Christmas.  Ivy is curious as to what happened to the girl and her family.  She begins asking questions which allows her to meet various townspeople.  Christmas magic is at work and Ivy finds soon finds herself swept up into town happenings and helping others.  The Santa Suit by Mary Kay Andrews is a sweet, uplifting Christmas story.  I thought The Santa Suit was well-written with steady pacing (it was over too soon).  It contains developed, realistic characters.  There are some great characters in the story.  I liked Ivy and her adorable dog, Punkin.  The mystery was fun to follow, and I love how it turned out.  I liked the town of Tarburton and Four Roses Farm.  I would love to own Ivy’s lovely farm. There is some romance in the story, but it is not the main attraction. The Santa Suit is a story that will make you smile and put you in the mood for the holidays.  The Santa Suit is a sweet Christmas tale with cuddly canine, a striking Santa Suit, pictures from the past, a lost letter, creative candy creations, fairy-tale lights, and second chances.

The Santa Suit is available from Amazon*.  You can find Mary Kay Andrews' other novels here.  If you want to get into the Christmas spirit, then you should read The Santa Suit!  Thank you so much for visiting today.  Tomorrow I am featuring The Unlikely Yarn of the Dragon Lady by Sharon Mondragon.  Please stop by tomorrow to learn more.  It is hard to believe this is the last day of September.  The month went by so quickly.  I am eager for October.  I have thirty-one different fall and Halloween themed t-shirts to wear (one for each day of October).  I also have quite a bit of Halloween decorating to do outside.  I just have to figure how to fit in all the Halloween inflatables.  I hope you have an uplifting day.  Take care, be kind, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.