The ferry is about ready to leave the dock and Riley Nolan
Griggs, with her 12 year old daughter Maggy, are frantic
waiting
for her husband Wendell Griggs to appear. This is the last
boat over to Belle Isle before the start of the celebration
of Memorial Day Weekend. The island was developed by her
parents and has been the summer destination for the family
for over 70 years. Another broken promise? This time
Wendell has consented to come and with Riley break the news
of their impending divorce to Maggy. Enough of hollow
words, stalling and pretense, their marriage is broken and
finished. Will he again break the heart of his adoring
daughter?
He is a no-show. Aboard the Carolina Queen things get
worse when Riley, surrounded by lifetime friends, is issued
a summons. What is going on?. Upon arrival at Belle Isle,
her gay brother, Bobby, meets her with a golf cart as no
vehicles are allowed on this pristine island. Bobby drives
his sister and niece to their home on Sand Dollar Lane where
another unpleasant surprise for Riley awaits. The gate is
padlocked and a sign on the front door reads: FORECLOSURE.
Now reeling with shock, her brother drives her to her
mother's home, The "Shutters." This is not what Riley
wants as she has a rocky relationship with her mother who
idolizes Wendell, Having no choice, Billy delivers her and
takes off immediately as he and his mother are not speaking.
Just one big happy family, you think?
THE WEEKENDERS is a delightful read with a locale and
characters that are colorful, and very real. Riley is a
great heroine who is hit hard and low but manages to emerge
in the end with a plan for her future, and a sweet romance
with an old beau, Nate. He is my favorite character and I
found him hunky, with the greatest sense of humor. Nate
becomes mega-rich with the invention of a real estate app,
in California. He returns to Belle Isle and his dreams,
which include his long, lost, love, Riley. Who says you can
never go home?
Mary Kay Andrews never disappoints. Once I open the gayly
decorated book cover, I feel like I am ready to join the fun
at Belle Isle, NC. Ms. Andrews touches many subjects.
Family drama, hidden secrets, alcoholism, homosexuality,
friendships, betrayals, raising a diabetic and spoiled pre-
teen, second chances and my favorite, love and romance.
The plot becomes involved, and when Wendell is murdered,
Riley promises Maggy she will find out "who done it?"
Me, as a super sleuth failed to make that discovery. Grab
a tall glass of iced tea, find a cozy spot, y'all, and
enjoy the pure bliss that is THE WEEKENDERS. I loved it!
You will too.
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.
Told with Mary Kay Andrews’ trademark blend of humor and
warmth, and with characters and a setting that you can’t
help but fall for, The Weekenders is the perfect
summer escape.
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