The Weekenders by Mary Kay Andrews - Guest Review

The Weekenders by Mary Kay Andrews
Published May 2016 by St. Martin's Press
Source: this copy courtesy of the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Publisher's Summary:
Some people stay all summer long on the idyllic island of Belle Isle, North Carolina. Others come only for the weekends-and the mix between the regulars and “the weekenders” can sometimes make the sparks fly. Riley Griggs has a season of good times with friends and family ahead of her on Belle Isle when things take an unexpected turn. While waiting for her husband to arrive on the ferry one Friday afternoon, Riley is confronted by a process server who thrusts papers into her hand. And her husband is nowhere to be found.

So she turns to her island friends for help and support, but it turns out that each of them has their own secrets, and the clock is ticking as the mystery deepens...in a murderous way. Cocktail parties aside, Riley must find a way to investigate the secrets of Belle Island, the husband she might not really know, and the summer that could change everything.

My Sister's Thoughts: 
There are certain books that I see and know that my sister will want to read them. If the author is Mary Kay Andrews, for example. So when I was offered this one for review, I knew she would be the one reading and reviewing it. Just like she did in 2014 when she read and reviewed Andrews' Save The Date.

Here's what she had to say about The Weekenders:

My sister knows my love for novels set in a beach environment. When she shared Mary Kay Andrews most recent book with me and asked me to review, I chose not to read anything about it. I wanted to open the book and try to be pulled into the story.

Ms. Andrews did not disappoint me. She once again has developed characters whom I was drawn to and whom I felt became very familiar to me. Through her descriptions she makes it feel as if I am living on Belle Isle for the summer.

The story immediately took an unexpected turn and drew me in. The story is about a marriage that was falling apart, a teenage daughter who wants to believe her father is perfect, friendship, family, rekindled love, deception, and loyalty. It was, while perhaps a stretch, and great example of the secrets all families have.

The character I most identified with was Parrish, the lifelong friend of the story's main character Riley. She steps in to help her friend through a terrible time in her life and in doing so becomes her confidant, voice of reason, and, at times, accomplice.

My only disappointment is one that I have had with other novels by this author. She slowly develops the story, and then, it feels to me, abruptly ends it.

If you share my love of beach novels I think you will enjoy this book.

Thanks, sis - see you next year!