As BookPage’s fiction editor, I get to read (or at least partially read) dozens and dozens of great novels every month. But the hardest part of the job (at least for me) is narrowing all of these great books down to a stack of 10 or 12 to review each month. As my mother would say, “That’s a nice problem to have!” And it really is. But in my time with BookPage, there has not been a month when I didn’t lament not including a certain book in our issue. Such is the case with The Fixer Upper, the latest novel from New York Times bestselling author Mary Kay Andrews (Deep Dish, Blue Christmas, Savannah Breeze, etc.).
On sale at the end of this month, The Fixer Upper is the story of Dempsey Jo Killebrew—an impressive young woman who thinks she has landed her dream job at a Washington, D.C. law firm. She’s living the high life until her boss is implicated in a very juicy political scandal—and she is shown the door right along with him. Dempsey is suddenly out of a job with bills piling up; and because her name has been splashed all over the news along with her boss’s, no potential employer will touch her. So what’s a girl to do? Well, in a Mary Kay Andrews novel, she has only one choice—return to her Southern roots. For Dempsey, that means taking her father up on his offer to restore the old family mansion in sleepy Guthrie, Georgia.
Like Andrews’ other novels, this is a light, sassy, easy read, perfect for the beach or lazy days on the porch. I loved what I read of the novel, and even though we didn’t pick this one for print coverage, the kind folks at Harper sent us three finished copies of the book. So in celebration of the start of summer, three lucky Book Case readers can enter to win a free copy—even before it officially hits the shelves. Just post a comment and tell us what your favorite beach read is before June 15th. We’ll select the winners at random. Good luck!
I suppose it’s not really for the beach, but I’ll read anywhere. I love anything by Vince Flynn and David Baldacci. Waiting for Flynn’s next book.
This summer my beach reading list includes Pretty in Plaid, The Center of the Universe and I Loved, I Lost, I Made Spaghetti. I can’t wait to dive into it! Thanks for the contest.
‘Agnes and the Hitman’ by Jennifer Crusie made me laugh so hard I cried. I also love another book by her called ‘Bet Me.’ Both of these are GREAT beach reads.
I’ve been getting lost in Julia Spencer-Fleming’s Clare Fergusson/Russ Van Alstyne mystery series this summer and think that they would make great beach reads!
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I just spent last week at Myrtle Beach SC and while I was there I read (among others) DRIFTWOOD SUMMER by Patti Callahan Henry. It was a great beach read.
I love James Patterson’s Women’s Murder Club books – quick, fun, suspenseful!
I live in the land-locked midwest, so going to the beach isn’t on my summer agenda…but I do have several books on my summer reading list: Pretty in Plaid, by Jen Lancaster, Belong to Me by Marisa de los Santos, Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford, and The Help, by Kathryn Stockett.
I’ve never read anything by Mary Kay Andrews — but I lived in DC for many years, so this sounds like a book I would like!
Start with THE HELP so you are sure to read it before the summer wanes. It is absolutely wonderful!
I absolutely agree! It was one of my favorite books in a while!
Thanks for the “thumbs up” on The Help. I’ve heard nothing but HIGH PRAISE for this book. My friend GUSHED about it. I need to move it to the top of my stack!
Hi Melissa – you are one of our winners. Please email me at abby@bookpage.com with your mailing address and we’ll get a copy of THE FIXER UPPER off to you. Congrats!
The summer after I got out of grad school I enjoyed reading the Shopaholic series by Sophie Kinsella. A nice change from lots of heavy academic reading! This book sounds good to me.
I’m listening to The Ex-Debutante by Linda Francis Lee right now and it is fabulous. I’m also reading Very Valentine by Adriana Trigiani. I love Mary Kay’s books.
I *love* humor in my fiction, particularly romance. My favorite? Anything by Katie MacAlister! I really loved “Corset Diaries.”
I’ve never read any of her books but there are other southern authors I’ve really enjoyed. I’ll have to check this one out.
My favorite beach read is the annual Stephanie Plum mystery by Janet Evanovich! Totally fun and fluffy!
Southern authors are so great! Give me something by Pat Conroy or his wife, Joshilyn Jackson and so many more! The beach is just an added bonus!
Janet Evanovich is a must! I usually fall off the couch in a fit of laughter at some point in the book!! Her books are great and move fast!!
On a milder note, I also enjoy Elizabeth Berg for a more “quiet” read.
Beach Music if your spending a week at the beach
Anything by Sophie Kinsella if your only there for the weekend
Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants if your reading with your daughter
Summer Sisters if your vacationing with girlfriends
Life of Pi if your trying to work on that school reading list at the same
time
Anything by Nicholas Sparks if your looking for romance
Hi Monica – you are one of our winners. Please email me at abby@bookpage.com with your mailing address and we’ll get a copy of THE FIXER UPPER off to you. Congrats!
I just read four of Kaye Gibbons novel in a row. They were fast and engrossing. Perfect for quick summer reads!
If I’m looking for something light, I usually grab anything with Sophie Kinsella’s name on it. My copy of Bridget Jone’s Diary is also pretty beaten up from being shoved in my big tote bag for airplane rides.
Right now I’m reading Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks and am already in love with the story!
My favorite for the summer. The Help by Kathryn Stockett. It’s a must read this summer. You can’t put it down. Then a good mystery by Diane Mott Davidson or Jonathan Kellerman. I am saving those to get me thru till Pat Conroy comes in August.
No beaches where I live but I’ve been enjoying some summer reading anyway including The Bright Side of Disaster by Katherine Center, Home Repair by Liz Rosenberg, Turning Japanese by Cathy Yardley and Jane Austen Ruined My Life by Beth Pattillo. All were quite good and I’m going to look for Katherine Center’s other book to read later this summer as well.
Beach is about a mile and a half away from me here in Florida, but I just finished Home Repair by Liz Rosenberg as well, and really enjoyed the lovely blend of comedy and seriousness, reminiscent of Anne Tyler’s best. Am looking for more heartbreak titles– so open to suggestions. By my bed I have Larry’s Kidney, Team of Rivals, Revolutionary Road and She’s Come Undone, but really I’d like to read more women writers since that’s who I end up loving. And I’d like to keep it on the light side for summer.
Ditto for me! No beaches where I live however am surrounded by plenty of lakes. I’m currently reading Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin and The Power of Simple Prayer by Joyce Meyer. Would love to win this book as it looks like a light, refreshing read for the summer!
Ooh! I would love to win “The Fixer Upper”. My current favorite summer lite read is “Driftwood Summer” by Patti Callahan Henry. For a longer read “The Help” by Kathryn Stockett.
So far this summer (Not much of a summer here in the northeast, rains everyday) The Help. I have recommended this book to all my reading friends.
I’m patiently waiting for the release of “The Neighbor” by Lisa Gardner, “The Apostle” by Brad Thor and “Dune Road” by Jane Green
Tonight I’m going to dive into “The Last Child” by John Hart
Beach days in Jersey have been few due to the lousy weather.
So far I’ve found two books that have really pulled me in. One was The Writing Class by Jincy Willett. Loved the concept and the fact that it shared great tips for critique and that it had a mystery. Recommended it to all my writer friends.
The second book is The Accidental Bestseller by Wendy Wax. I’m lovin it. Having a hard time putting it down to do anything else. Great characters and I love the premise.
Of course I’m waiting for The Fixer Upper. So hope I’m not too late for the contest.
I always take along Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood by Rebecca Wells & Anne Morrow Lindbergh’s Gifts from the Sea.
Hi Cheryl – you are one of our winners. Please email me at abby@bookpage.com with your mailing address and we’ll get a copy of THE FIXER UPPER off to you. Congrats!
My favorite beach read is any Dick Francis book. They were all great and never have I been disappointed. However, I think The Fixer Upper might become a favorite beach read – would love a copy.
Favorite book for the beach this summer was Liz Rosenberg’s Home Repair. Hilarious and heartbreaking at the same time. I too love Gifts from the Sea!