REVIEW: "Hello, Summer" by Mary Kay Andrews
When I was trying to decide what I wanted to be when I grew up — something that, despite being 37, I think I'm still kind of trying to decide — I briefly paused on the concept of becoming a journalist.
I like to write, and journalists presumably did plenty of that. And, unlike setting my sights on becoming a novelist, journalism seemed at least a bit more stable. Though certainly not as stable as the field of education, which seemed to me to be the most certain way to avoid ending up destitute.
I even spent some time in college taking journalism classes — the most notable of which was my Journalism and Political Science class, which was particularly memorable because, on the exam, appeared the question (and I shit you not) “How many radios are there in Lithuania?”
But even though I pondered this profession, I knew it wouldn't really be for me.
Print journalism was, after all, pretty much dying by the time I matriculated in 2001. Plus, I knew that I lacked the killer instinct. I'm neither pushy nor outgoing, both characteristics that I always imagined a reporter would have to possess if he or she wanted to advance beyond editing the engagement's column.
Though it was intended to be more a leisurely beach-read and less an affirmation of the career choices you long ago made, Hello, Summer, the latest novel by the relatively prolific Mary Kay Andrews, acted as the later for me, proving that I do not have what it would take to be a reporter.
Our protagonist in this novel, Sarah Conley Hawkins — who now goes by the way more androgynous and edgy Conley — is unafraid of hurting feelings or offending.
This brazenness and self-assurity has gotten her far, earning her a job working at a print newspaper in Atlanta. She made such a name for herself, in fact, that she received a job offer from an outlet in Washington, DC. It’s only after accepting the job offer and resigning her Atlanta position that she receives news that the new publication to which she had contractually pledged her service has been unceremoniously shuttered.
Her job in Atlanta already refilled, Conley is left with only one real option: to return to her familial home in the tiny, Florida panhandle town of Silver Bay.
Though Conley’s family still owns and operates a small weekly paper in Silver Bay, she is initially reluctant to participate in the family business. Not only would having her byline appear in this small-market weekly be a major step down, but also writing for the Silver Bay Beacon would mean working under her sister, Grayson, with whom Conley has a strained relationship. But when her grandmother, Lorraine, insists that The Beacon needs Conley’s skills, she acquiesces.
And it’s not long before a new, juicy story falls right into Conley’s lap. When a long-time congressman perishes in a one-car, rollover accident in the wee hours of the morning, his death triggers many questions. Fortunately, Conley’s not afraid to ask them, no matter how many local feathers she may ruffle in pushing for the truth.
With strong characterization and a vivid rendering of this sleepy Florida town, Mary Kay Andrews pulls readers into her newest novel.
Andrews populated her novel with a large cast of characters, each with his or her own, rich backstory. She took her time presenting these characters, feeding readers new pieces of information little by little. This folksy-style of character development makes it feel as if you are a newcomer to Silver Bay who is gradually becoming acquainted with its long-time residents.
In much the same way we get to know these characters — slowly, organically, realistically — we got to know the town of Silver Bay, a tidy community with a rich history and a complex social structure.
In the absence of intrigue, Andrews would have bored her readers, familiarizing them with both the town and its residents slowly. But, by building in a driving mystery, complete with confounding twists and turns, she managed to keep readers invested in not just the characters, but also the plot. Add to this the romance that was subtle and sweet enough to feel real in the context of the events that played out in this novel and you have an entirely immersive read.
Clocking in at 480 pages, this book was inarguably hefty. And there were, admittedly, a few scenes that could have been relegated to the cutting room floor.
Was this a problem?
Not if you're planning to spend hours on the beach, baking under the sun, sipping cocktails while reading. But it could be a concern if what you're looking for is a quick and easy read that you can manage to eke out time to complete while dealing with the rigors of everyday life.
While any lazy summer day would prove a good occasion on which to dive into this novel, I would argue that this summer is a particularly ideal time to enjoy this read. Right now, things feel almost paralyzingly complicated, so to take a break from this rough reality and slip into a world where your biggest concern is an accidental social faux pas was actually really soothing.
Mary Kay Andrews would appear to be a beach-read-writing machine. And, given this novel, it’s no surprise.
Whether you slip this title into your carry on before you head off on your next shore-side vaca, or enjoy it on your couch while sipping Lime-a-ritas on your decidedly-more-affordable staycation, you’ll likely find yourself becoming invested in this easy and engaging novel.
We give it 4 out of 5 (tropical) cocktails.
My favorite vacations are ones that allow lots of time for reading — I know… that’s not at all surprising. What types of vacations do you most enjoy? Tell me about it in the comments, below.
Moving right along to my next read. If you want to follow my reading (and drinking) subscribe in the sidebar on the right and follow me on Goodreads.
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