With THE HOMEWRECKERS, Mary Kay Andrews tells the story of Hattie Kavanaugh, a long-time house renovation and house flipper expert with her late husband's family business. An opportunity to recover from a disastrous investment drops into her lap in the form of rescuing a dilapidated historic home on Tybee island for a reality television program with an experienced designer, producer, and cast of professionals. Complications abound: personally, romantically, business-wise, and ethically with the discovery of clues to a decades-old missing person case that heightens the tension, stakes, and pressure to deliver on-time, on-budget while handling bewildering events. I laughed out loud, marveled at all the moving parts involved in restoring a house for profit and an audience, and at how entertaining and diverting a story Andrews wrought. A wonderful beach read! I received an advance copy of this novel and these opinions are my own, unbiased thoughts.

The Homewreckers was the first novel I have read by Mary Kay Andrews. There is a lot going on in this book - we begin with a Prologue about a cheating wife, then launch into a story with multiple plot lines. While I had gone into this book assuming it would be a beachy romance, I soon realized this was not the case. Instead, much of the book focuses on a murder mystery that our main character, Hattie, is thrust into while working on a home renovation for a reality TV show. The murder mystery is the focal point of this book, and through multiple POVs the reader is led on a whodunnit ride that is both entertaining and sure to keep the reader guessing.

That being said, those expecting a romance may find themselves disappointed. While the murder mystery part of this story is well developed, the romances are not. Hattie is a widow, and while we see her open herself up to the possibility of new love, these connections seem random, rushed, and forced.

I look forward to reading more books by Mary Kay Andrews. This book highlighted her ability to develop characters that are charming, lovable, and people we want to cheer for. The writing was atmospheric and made me want to visit charming Tybee Island.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to read this digital ARC!

The Homewreckers by Mary Kay Andrews

Hattie Kavanaugh has had it rough since her teens. Her dad got in trouble, her parents split up, her mom moved away, and she had to move in with her best friend's family. She married at 20 and was a widow at 25 but she didn't give up her love of home renovation. After her first success, her next house was a huge money pit and she's in debt and is at risk of losing her own beloved little home. Now her family consists of her and her rescue mutt and she's even pawned a precious ring that belonged to her late husband's family, just trying to stay afloat. She's a hard worker but nothing seems to be going her way.

A producer, Mo, hears a conversation between Hattie and her father-in-law and he wants to create a show about flipping houses in Savanah, with Hattie as the centerpiece. The show will be on a tight timeline and before Hattie knows it she is going to be restoring a wreck of a home, dealing with people she never would have spoken to in the past, and battling with her designer co-star, Trae. Pretty soon Hattie, whose grief over her late husband has her planning to be alone the rest of her life, is caught between the affections of Trae and Mo.

Hattie's bad luck continues when something belonging to a woman, who has been missing seventeen years, is found on the property of the house she is restoring. Soon investigators are involved, which introduces us to my favorite character, Makarowicz, a retired detective, who wants to get to the bottom of a long ago murder. This story is a romance, murder mystery, and journey of forgiveness and learning to move on after loss, and I enjoyed that the story was so complex and didn't just focus on the romantic side of things.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC.

The Homewreckers

All I knew about this book when I requested it was I love Mary Kay Andrews. She never disappoints!! The title immediately had me hooked, I love a home makeover show! Then a friend read this book and did not love it, but I took that with a grain of salt. She said, to her, it felt like two completely different books in one. I disagree. There were two distinct storylines but I think it worked and I loved it! Hattie Kavanaugh is a young widow, who works alongside her father-in-law at his construction company. When she bites off more than she can chew with a her current flip, she sells it quickly before she loses any more money. So when she is approached to be a part of a reality, home makeover show, she thinks this could be the opportunity she is looking for, to make back her money and restore the good name of the family business.

I enjoyed the setting of Tybee Island, the banter and tension between Hattie and her co-star, all while throwing in new evidence in the disappearance of a young mother 17 years prior. This book had me hooked from page 1!

What a great book! Mary Kay Andrews has brought us a story full of drama and romance, and all the suspense of a ‘whodunit’ mystery. This is a story you will get caught up in, and you will end up staying up late to read ‘just one more chapter’.

This is a wonderful story that will capture your heart. It makes for a warm and sweet summer read. Hattie is a young widower working to prove herself in the male world of construction. Mo is a Hollywood reality tv producer looking for a new show to save his career. The story has romance and mystery. It comes with a lot of opportunities for fun. The characters are interesting and well developed. The plot is magnificent as the author shows how Mo and Hattie resolve their differences and become a sweet couple.

The Homewreckers is a suspenseful and intriguing book about a young woman named Hattie who has suffered the loss of her husband and is not open to finding love or changing much about her life in the aftermath. When she finds herself as the star of a new home improvement type show, her universe more or less gets flipped upside down. Not only does she deal with the varying types of personalities involved in filming a new series, there is a murder mystery/cold case that ends up getting re-opened during the renovation process. I appreciated that most of the supporting characters had fleshed out personalities and that the story really kept you guessing about who might be the murderer. I'd give this book between 2.5 and 3 stars, as it was a fast and easy read (would be good for the beach), but I personally expected a little more romance or elaboration on the connections Hattie had with both her co-star and producer, I think fans of home improvement type shows will love this novel, as it has a lot of great details about design and the added layer of the mystery definitely kept me interested throughout. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The Homewreckers by Mary Kay Andrews. Like all the books I've read in the past by this author The Homewreckers is another great book. It has everything you would love in a beach read. The setting, the character development, and the storyline. If I could give it a higher rating I would.

Fans of HGTV and summer mysteries will enjoy Mary Kay Andrews’ new book The Homewreckers. The premise and setting are interesting. Hattie Kavanaugh restores homes in Savannah, Georgia but after a failed project, she’s offered the opportunity to star on a reality show renovating an old run-down beach house. Over the course of the story, Hattie is caught between a love triangle and a murder mystery all while dealing with the renovations, the investigation, and the filming of the show.

The mystery kept my interest in the book. However, I couldn’t connect to Hattie or any of the characters and it took me a long time to finish the story. Though this book is not my favorite, fans looking for a light mystery beach read might enjoy this book. Thank you very much to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for this ARC.

Having recently read The Newcomer, my first Mary Kay Andrews’ book which I dearly loved, I was excited to read The Homewreckers. Having spent my time watching several remodel shows on HGTV, I liked the premise of the book. I instantly felt sympathy for Hattie who was in her early thirties who became a widow seven years ago when her husband was killed in a motorcycle accident. I like that she worked with her father-in-law, Tug Kavanaugh. She has a great best friend, Cass, a couple of possible love interests, the producer of Homewreckers and The “hunk” Trae who is brought in to spice up the plot of the show. The set-up of the story sounded good but for some reason, it started dragging for me. I did really like the mystery part of the story when they found the wallet of Lanier Ragan who was Cass and Hattie’s beloved English teacher at St..Mary’s who suddenly disappeared in February 2005. She left her little girl, Emma, I thought the climax was exciting. My thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for an ARC of this book. The opinions in this review are my own.

A bit slow to start, but things really start to get interesting around ~25% in. This book is mostly about a murder mystery (don’t let the first part of the book fool you!). While fixing up a condemned beach house for a show called Homewreckers, Hattie and her crew find the wallet of a missing school teacher who disappeared seventeen years ago. Someone is clearly sabotaging the home renovation, but who? The whodunnit aspect of this book was probably my favorite part of it. The romance between Trae and Hattie was so forced that I seriously could not believe Hattie was falling for any of Trae’s charm, if you can even call it that. The relationship that develops between Mo and Hattie is a lot better, but still has its flaws. I mean, they know each other for like 2 months and Mo wants to totally pick up and move his life for Hattie? That seems a little crazy. Overall, though, this is a great beachy read.

Ok this was fun!! I felt like I was watching a production of a HPTV flip it show in Savannah, Georgia and a cold case being solved.

I mean I was just asking my husband how there haven't been any remains found on one of those bubbly home reno shows, they get some dilapidated homes sometimes.

There was a crazy prologue about a cheating wife then it went into a story about Hattie Kavanaugh and her work restoring homes and a producer who is checking out the area who thinks she would be perfect for a new show idea.

Then they start to find things in this house that they bought that link back to a missing person. And there are complaints and accidents on the site. 

It's like a murder mystery and a romance all in one. Since she seemed to have her pick of the beau's in this area.  There's so many fun characters but also there's some baddies. I really enjoyed this one! 

Thank you stmartinspress and the netgalley for the e-ARC for my honest and voluntary review.

I *just* finished The Homewreckers and am not entirely sure if my opinions. On one hand, I enjoyed the overall premise and (most of) the characters. The setting has me interested in taking a daytrip to Savannah and Tybee when we take a trip south this August.

I did find the book seemed a little cluttered or chaotic at times. I understand part of that was the plot, but I also wasn't sure what I was supposed to be caring about at any given moment and was almost distracted by all the goings-on. There was a lot happening in this book.

I wished Cass had been a bit more developed - I liked her and wanted to know her better. I didn't like how she was referred to at one point by Rebecca - a comment on convenient diversity that seemed a little too much like the convenient diversity she commented on.

I wanted more romance - for the ending we were left with, there wasn't a lot leading up to it. A slow burn, and yes, I liked the romance but it needed a little more dynamite - maybe because I was into their relationship being a thing, I craved a bit more sizzle and heart.

I did like the home restoration aspect and the cold case mystery - those elements worked. Overall, the story worked - you don't become a successful author without knowing your stuff or having some talent - but it did seem a little busy. I enjoyed it, but it was not my personal favourite.

Hattie Kavanaugh is finishing a renovation on an older home where the various hidden issues will cause her to lose considerable money. Hattie is the daughter-in-law of Tug Kavanaugh a reputable builder/restorer in Charleston, SC. When a reality show producer falls through the kitchen floor, he falls for Hannah and convinces her to rehab a home for his new show—Homewreckers. Hannah has 8 weeks to find a home to rehab and move quickly. But the build seems jinxed from the start leading to a mystery. Interesting characters teamed with a house with a history makes for a great read.

Thanks to St Martin Press for this ARC book for a fair review. This was my first book to read by Mary Kay Andrews and definitely not my last. Homewreckers is a great summer / beach read! I love how there were so many different stories intertwined into one. There was a great amount of romance with mystery sprinkled in, which had me not wanting to set it down! The author painted a beautiful picture in my head of Tybee Island that it felt like I was truly there. I cannot wait to read more by this author!

Hattie Kavanaugh loves her work, restoring historic houses in Savannah. It's a good thing, because she's always just a few unanticipated repair jobs away from financial ruin. When she, along with Kavanaugh & Son, the company for which she works, take a particularly hard financial hit, she finds it impossible to refuse Mo, the producer of a would-be home improvement show he wants to call "Saving Savannah."

She has reservations about the original plan, but things get worse when the network changes the title to "Homewreckers" and forces costar Trae on her. Still, the 100-year-old cottage on Tybee Island is a dream project.

Demoing the bathroom, though, reveals the wallet of a high school teacher missing for over 15 years. Then someone starts sabotaging the house. And despite her best efforts, Hattie is unexpectedly attracted to Trae.

This fabulous book is vintage MKA--a little mystery, a little romance, some vintage finds, and some really good friends. Not to be missed. #TheHomewreckers #NetGalley

There's always plenty of laughs in a Mary Kay Andrews book and this one does not disappoint! Through all the mishaps, attacks, underhandedness and looming deadlines Hattie Kavanaugh perseveres. Throw in a bit of mystery from a 17 year old murder and mayhem ensues.

She's in the business of flipping houses with her father-in-law in the greater Savannah area. After a disastrous house purchase that goes bust, she gets a second chance and a tv deal too. Can she renovate a 10p year old house on Tybee Island in 6 weeks without going over budget? You'll want to read this one to find out!

I received a free ARC eBook from Net Galley and the publisher in exchange for my honest opinions.

Fantastic beach read !! Her writing formula continues to be successful. I enjoyed th characters and the story; would recommend to anyone who wants to lose themselves for an afternoon in a delightful story.

What a pleasant surprise, I had a tough time putting this one down. There was just so much to like. Hattie was tough,smart, feisty and yet vulnerable.I felt her grief and her love for her lost husband and I admired how she kept chugging along. I especially enjoyed her relationship with Tug her father in law and her devotion to the family business. I surprised at how interesting the house flipping and reality show aspect was. The mystery, while a bit predictable, added some intrigue and brought in the detective character who I enjoyed. My only complaint would be the romance. Mo was a nice guy and I eventually bought their relationship. However, I wish their had been more build up to the romance. When it happened it seemed to come out of nowhere. We had some hints as to his feelings towards her but none vice versa.There definitely should have been little moments between them throughout the story to show the attraction building between these, two. Otherwise, this was a solidly enjoyable read.

Home Renovations and Homewreckers

Considering I’m currently in the middle of a little home renovation project of my own, the approval to read Mary Kay Andrews’ newest could not have come at a more perfect time!

I was absolutely blown away to discover THE HOMEWRECKERS is the thirtieth book from the author! THIRTIETH! That’s incredible!

Having only just read my first Mary Kay Andrews book around Christmas time (The Santa Suit), I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from THE HOMEWRECKERS.

Let me tell you folks, this book has it ALL!
Badass female lead ✔️
Southern charm ✔️
HGTV home renovation show vibes ✔️
Mystery ✔️
Murder ✔️
Romance ✔️
Drama✔️
Should I keep going?? Because I could!

I adore Andrews’ main character Hattie. Like, I want to hang out with her, and I really really want to have her do some construction work for me. Just like everyone she has her flaws, but she is also a strong, no nonsense lady with a big heart….and I’m positive she would know just how to help me finish the butcher block desk I’m building.

I promise waiting for your chance to read this book will not feel like waiting for paint to dry. It is just a few short days away! Watch out for THE HOMEWRECKERS, hitting shelves on May 3rd!!

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to read this digital ARC!