Road Trip

When two estranged sisters—complete opposites in every way—reunite after their mother’s death, they have one shared goal: sell the house and use the money to climb out of debt. But their plans unravel quickly. Instead of a tidy inheritance, they discover a $325,000 mortgage their mother secretly took out to send money to a televangelist in Texas. Worse still, her remaining savings sit in a tin can held by their Uncle Keith, the executor of the estate.

But that money isn’t meant to pay off bills.

Their mother’s dying wish was for the sisters to use it to travel to Ireland—to reconnect with each other and uncover their family’s roots. What follows is a journey filled with mystery and intrigue, a touch of romance, and even a show more bit of murder. Determined to piece together their family history, the sisters head to Ireland for what becomes the adventure of a lifetime. Long-buried secrets begin to slip through the veil of time—and not everyone is pleased about it.

Part of those family secrets is the painting that hangs over their Mother’s fireplace. A painting supposedly brought over from Ireland by their great grandmother when she immigrated from Ireland. A painting of Lady Geraldine Fitzhugh. A painting worth millions... maybe. Could this be their real inheritance?

From the first pages of Road Trip, I was hooked. The writing drew me in immediately, and the unfolding family mystery kept me turning the pages. I became so invested that I actually sketched out a family tree as I read. As someone who has done my own genealogy research, I felt especially connected to the story. The Irish setting was vivid and inviting, filled with quirky characters—and yes, a hunky Irishman.

The sisters’ gradual reconnection felt natural and satisfying. I also loved the flashbacks to their great-grandmother’s immigration to the United States. The letters she wrote to her brother added depth and emotion, and for a while the story took on a dual-timeline feel as past and present intertwined beautifully.

Believe it or not, this was my first Mary Kay Andrews novel and it definitely will not be my last! I really enjoyed this book and want to thank St. Martin’s Press for the advanced copy of Road Trip to read and review! I truly loved it! show less

"Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?"
—Mary Oliver

Therese and Maeve, daughters of Mary Helen Sullivan Dunagin, are stunned by the news that their Uncle Keith delivers the morning after their mother's funeral. Each sister envisions a future that doesn't involve the other, convinced that their renewed connection is only temporary. But with a promise involving a coffee can and a mysterious newspaper article Therese clipped on her way back to Savannah, their immediate future becomes tangled and unpredictable, setting them on a journey neither expected.

I was eager to discover how the estranged sisters would navigate the process of settling their mother's estate. After so much time apart, could their show more perspectives toward each other shift? How would the loss of their mother affect them? Might they reconcile, heal old wounds, and move forward with newfound respect? Could their differences become a source of strength, allowing them to reconnect as sisters?

I loved this story—it offers a memorable road trip, an intriguing mystery, long-held secrets, rich family history, and a touch of romance. The way the author contrasts Savannah with the lush landscapes and distinct atmospheres the sisters encounter on their journey adds vivid texture to their emotional journey. This novel is a heartfelt exploration of sisterhood and forgiveness, told with warmth and wit. Both main and secondary characters are given insightful attention, each with a distinct identity and purpose that moves the story forward. The author's vivid storytelling and compelling cast made it impossible to put down. A 5-star read—highly recommended!

Thank you to Mary Kay Andrews, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an eARC of this novel. show less

There was so much to like about this book. The prologue set the stage perfectly for what was the pivotal point of the mystery which led to the road trip and everything else. Well plotted and beautifully characterized by very different siblings whose alignment is nonexistent.

Welcome to the funeral of Mary Helen Sullivan Dunagin where you are about to be introduced to her daughters, Maeve and Therese, as unlike as the sun and the moon, the day and the night. You might immediately determine who you favor, who you relegate to reprobate. But maybe don’t make those decision so fast. As sisters are wont to do, each has her reasons and excuses for their thoughts and behavior. It will be an interesting ride as their histories, alone and show more together, unspool. If you grew up with a sister it may have been easy to identify with many of Maeve’s and Therese’s traits, escapades and retaliations upon each other. Mothers can be skillful manipulators, even from the grave, and with one stipulation and the sister’s need for money they embark on a trip of discovery.

I found the portrayal of the sisters, their dialog and behavior a little strident, unforgiving and often irritating, but maybe I identified a little too much. That said, I thoroughly enjoyed the story, the sense of history and the nod to life in a small Irish village, imaginary or otherwise.

I want to thank St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for a copy. All opinions expressed are mine. show less

I picked up Road Trip by Mary Kay Andrews because the combination of family secrets, family drama, and a road trip sounded especially appealing. There were certainly interesting ideas throughout, and I could see what the story was aiming for, but it didn’t connect with me as strongly as I had hoped. I had a hard time warming up to some of the characters, especially Therese, and the number of secondary characters occasionally made the story feel a bit crowded. At 439 pages, the novel also felt somewhat longer than necessary, with certain details revisited more often than I would have preferred. The romance moved a little quickly for my taste, and I wasn’t fully convinced by the chemistry between the couple. I also found some of the show more language not to my personal preference. For me, this story lacked the charm and spark I usually associate with Mary Kay Andrews. The premise was strong, but the execution didn’t fully live up to its potential. show less

MKA has done it again!

Maeve and Therese Dunigan haven’t spoken in years. Raised under the same roof in Savannah, the two sisters could not be more opposite—Maeve the rule follower, Therese the unapologetic rebel. But when their mother’s death pulls them back together, they inherit more than just grief: a mysterious painting that may be worth millions…if it’s real.

Y’all know I love a good family mystery and this one is written by one of my favorite authors!

Maeve and Therese do not have the best relationship and trust me…it just might make you feel right at home, the sibling squabbles, the jealousy…it is all there. The tension between these two definitely keeps you on the edge. Then there is the painting. And boy does this show more add to the drama between the two. But nothing is better than the trip to Ireland.

There is just so much to love about this book! (My favorite is still Hissy Fit)

And as always, Kathleen McInerney, is one of the best narrators! She is perfect for this book.

Need a book that takes you on a great trip to Ireland…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review. show less

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for a digital advance reader copy. All comments and opinions are my own unless otherwise noted.

I’ve enjoyed several Mary Kay Andrews novels, and once again she’s given us an entertaining summer read that combines travel, mystery, and romance. Two sisters take a journey from Savannah, Georgia to a small Irish town outside of Dublin to research the value of a family painting they’ve inherited from their recently deceased mother.

It’s engaging chick-lit that is evocative of an Irish fairy tale with a handsome Irishman, an evil villain, family lore, and the courage to take a leap of faith. The sisters combine the family legend with their current day research and discover their family show more roots. In addition, they are inspired by “the generations of smart, capable, strong-minded women in their family who’d lost so much, but who’d carried on and made a life for themselves.”

In order to thoroughly appreciate this heartwarming combination of mystery, family drama, self-discovery, and second chances, I suggest you ignore the somewhat improbable coincidences and just sit back and enjoy the ride on this road trip. show less

Mary Kay Andrews is back with another entertaining beach/summer/vacation read, romance intertwined with mystery and family drama.

Sisters Therese and Maeve have been estranged from each other for years. Therese pursued an unsuccessful acting career, while Maeve chose a more conventional path as a college English instructor. Maeve was the one who returned home to care for their mother when she became ill. When their mother died, she left behind a single wish that the sisters travel to Ireland together to uncover their family roots, which included a supposed ancestral portrait that could hold significant value.

Therese is struggling financially, while Maeve, having taken a leave of absence to care for their mother, has just been laid off. show more Their hopes of inheriting their mother's house and selling it are dashed when they discover she had mortgaged it. Faced with these challenges, they decide to take the modest amount of money their mother left for this trip and embark on the adventure.

This was a joy to read as Maeve brought her stereotypical Southern charm and Therese her New York moxie to a picturesque small town in Ireland. I liked the combination of the different genres and the flashbacks to their ancestors’ story. This was fast-paced, with an intriguing story, perfect as an escapist read. show less