Mary Kay Andrews knows much more than a thing or two about what makes for a perfect beach read.
With 34 novels to her name and a habit of finding herself on the New York Times bestseller list, Andrews is well-versed in crafting stories that keep us turning pages. We also love that she's consistently plugged into the most important matters of national politics, as evidenced by her Instagram series WTAF Wednesday, in which she breaks down the many governmental developments that leave her scratching her head. Considering how much chaos is unfolding around the country lately, escapism is more important than ever — and Andrews's propulsive books offer exactly that.
On June 2, she's releasing a brand-new title called Road Trip, and it's a must-read. It chronicles the story of estranged sisters Maeve and Therese Dunigan, who inherit a mysterious painting after their mother’s death and embark on a journey through Ireland to uncover the artwork's history, which could be worth millions. Along winding roads, in cozy pubs, and amid simmering sibling tensions, the sisters unravel generations of secrets that may finally heal the rift between them — if they don’t drive each other crazy first.
"This is a different kind of story from the typical Southern-set beach reads readers might be expecting from me, but it's the most personal book of my career," she tells us.
Where did this personal inspiration come from? Andrews says part of it was her own grandmother, who boarded a White Star Line ship in 1906 and departed for America as a 20-year-old Irish orphan. "Another key inspiration was the mysterious portrait of Oonagh Guinness, which fetched a hefty price at an auction gallery local to me in Atlanta a few years ago," she says. "It made me wonder how that portrait traveled from the magnificent Guinness brewing family’s estate to Georgia."
We guarantee you'll fly right through Road Trip — but when you're done, you don't have to worry about what to read next, since we've got a fantastic list of recommendations from Andrews herself.
"I like my beach reads to be like my favored summer weather — sunny and breezy, with a little heat and a lot of heart, tempered with humor, mystery, and a high probability of a happy ending," she says. "Some of these are cherished golden oldies, others are among the crop of new summer releases, but all of these titles go down like a frozen margarita after a day at the pool. Or the beach. Or your sofa."
Mary Kay Andrews's favorite beach reads
Summer State of Mind by Kristy Woodson Harvey
Pediatric nurse Daisy runs away to a small coastal Carolina town, where she encounters Mason, a former big league baseball coach who’s just rescued an infant abandoned in a dumpster. This story of love and found family really gave me all the summer feels.
Things You Save in a Fire by Katherine Center
Cassie is a kick-ass firefighter in Texas who reluctantly relocates to Boston at the request of her estranged mom. Despite her vow to never date a firefighter, her resolve slowly melts when things heat up with a certain rookie in the house.
Thank You for Listening by Julia Whelan
You know her as the award-winning narrator of audiobooks by Kristin Hannah and Emily Henry, but Julia Whelan’s novel about an actress turned audiobook narrator who agrees to co-narrate a romance series with a mysterious male audio narrator is equal parts heartbreaking, hilarious, and hot.
Evvie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes
A newly widowed woman in small-town New England agrees to take in a summer boarder, a struggling former major league pitcher suffering from the “yips.” The banter between these two vulnerable characters is priceless.
Meet Me in Paris by Kristin Harmel
Over one week in Paris, nine Americans’ intertwined stories explore themes of love, loss, and second chances. Think Love, Actually with a French twist.
First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston
I loved this twisty debut thriller about a female con artist who gets involved in a cat-and-mouse game with the mark — a man to whom she becomes dangerously attracted. The plot is head-spinning and page-turning.
It's a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan
When failing Hollywood producer Jane Jackson tells a lie to land a deal, she’s forced to work with Dan Finnegan, a man she regards as the worst in town. This enemies-to-lovers story is sweet and funny, with a redemption arc I loved.
These Summer Storms by Sarah MacLean
This New York Times bestseller was better known for her sexy Regency romances, but Summer Storms proves she’s an ace at contemporary women’s fiction with an inheritance drama set on a private island off the coast of Rhode Island and one of the best, most sizzling meet-cutes ever.
The Five-Star Weekend by Elin Hilderbrand
After a lifestyle influencer’s husband dies in a tragic accident, she decides to shake off her grief by planning an epic Nantucket weekend to be shared by best friends from different stages of her life. There’s trauma, family drama, and yes, even a second chance at love. (This title will soon be a streaming series, coming to Peacock in July.)
The Sweeney Sisters by Lian Dolan
Three estranged sisters from Connecticut are just coming to terms with the death of their father, a revered and larger-than-life literary figure, when a DNA test reveals there is a fourth sister. Told with wit, warmth, and a deft hand at exploring sisterly love.
