“Entirely satisfying, an expert balance of warmth and compassion, terrific supporting characters, a little steamy sex and just enough suspense to keep you from guessing how it will all go down.” — Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A hilarious novel about one woman’s quest to redo an old house . . . and her life, as only New York Times bestseller Mary Kay Andrews can tell it.
After her boss in a high-powered Washington public relations firm is caught in a political scandal, fledgling lobbyist Dempsey Jo Killebrew is left unemployed and broke. Out of options, she reluctantly accepts her father’s offer to help refurbish Birdsong, the old family place he recently inherited in Guthrie, Georgia. All it will take, he tells her, is a little paint and some TLC to turn the fading Victorian mansion into a real-estate cash cow.
But when she arrives, Dempsey realizes that “Bird Droppings” would more aptly describe the moldering Pepto Bismol–pink dump with duct-taped windows and a driveway full of junk. There’s also a murderously grumpy old lady, one of Dempsey’s distant relations, who has claimed squatter’s rights and isn’t moving out. Ever.
Everyone in Guthrie seems to know Dempsey’s business, from a smooth-talking real-estate agent to a cute lawyer who owns the local paper. As if that's not bad enough, pesky FBI agents keep showing up on her doorstep, looking for information about her ex-boss.
All Dempsey can do is roll up her sleeves and get to work. Before long, what started as a job of necessity somehow becomes a labor of love and, ultimately, a journey that takes her to a place she never expected—back home.
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"I enjoyed the characterization of the novel, and I think I enjoyed it more than I would have if I hadn't seen the author speak a few months ago. I could picture Ms. Andrews speaking about certain parts and enjoyed it more. I also enjoyed the narration to this audiobook, as it had just the right touch of Southern accents without being fake."
— Meredith (4 out of 5 stars)
“Entirely satisfying, an expert balance of warmth and compassion, terrific supporting characters, a little steamy sex, and just enough suspense to keep you from guessing how it will all go down.”
— Atlanta Journal-Constitution“This authentic tale of cleaning up life’s messes and self-discovery is bright, engaging and thoughtful, enlivened by Andrews’s quirky characters and lovely backwoods setting.”
— Publishers Weekly“Andrews serves up a tempting and satisfying dish.”
— Booklist“Entertaining…Delightful.”
— Library Journal" Fun fluff... Set in small GA town south of Atlanta so I could relate. Though anyone that thinks they can clean and renovate an old home in 2 months is slightly delusional. "
— Shelley, 2/12/2014" Mary Kay Andrews never fails to amuse me. Just what I needed while going through a move. Fun! "
— Kelly, 2/9/2014" A cheesy and predictable easy read. Needless to say...it was exactly what I was in the mood for! :) "
— Meghan, 1/29/2014" Met the author at an authors' retreat in Pinehurst, Nc. She is as fun as this book! Great book for a vacation/airplane. "
— Lana, 1/26/2014" It was a little long, but engaging and enjoyable. "
— Erica, 1/19/2014" I was surprised to really like this book. Its my first Mary Kay Andrews read, and I think I'll read another. "
— Angie, 1/6/2014" The story was totally implausible, but it was still fairly enjoyable. Well, except for when I was screaming at the main character for putting up with her ridiculous "roommate" situation, for her dealings with her father, and just for her general idiocy. "
— Petula, 1/5/2014" Fun book. Don't want to be depressed or think too hard then this is the book for you. Satisfying in a hot fudge sunday kinda way. "
— Giselle, 1/3/2014" I enjoy her books - I'd describe as Romantic Comedy. They make me laugh and are quick to read. "
— Theresa, 12/31/2013" This was my first Mary Kay Andrews book and I loved it. A sweet summer read. Will read another one for sure! "
— Merty, 12/27/2013" I always look forward to a Mary Kay Andrews. The books are a little predictable but fun. "
— Cara, 12/18/2013" Not great: full of cliches and character stereotypes, and especially a main character who keeps reminding us that she's 28 but acts like she's 21, and falls apart constantly and consistently at the drop of a hat. Formulaic, right up to the end. "
— Michelle, 12/13/2013" Very fun simple read as all of Ms. Andrews' books are. Sort of a Reese Witherspoon (Sweet Home Alabama movie) character. Big city girl moves back to small town. Out of her element, but learning fast. "
— Mary, 12/12/2013" A great light read! "
— Faith, 12/8/2013" Read for this month's book discussion group. Doesn't matter how old you are, you sometimes get carried away by the shell. And then get burned when the real person shows up. Good quick read "
— Sandra, 12/5/2013" I enjoyed the book. Found it slow at times. I wish the relationship between Tee and Dempsey would have been developed more. I found the recipes at the end charming! "
— Faigy, 7/7/2013" A quick read-not as juicy as some of her others "
— Sus, 5/3/2013" In truth, I'd really give this a 3.5 but that's not an option and it's more deserving of rounding up than rounding down. I'd like to know where the characters go from the ending..... "
— Nikki, 4/26/2013" A fun light hearted book to kick off summer. "
— Mandy, 3/28/2013" Cute...enjoyed it "
— Tamara, 2/9/2013" This is the first book I've read by this author..I reallly enjoyed it..Highly recommend it.. "
— Karen, 11/7/2012" Clever, witty, and entertaining. "
— Joan, 10/27/2012" My first foray into Mary Kay Andrews, and I really enjoyed it. Cute, funny, and with a bit of problem to solve which kept my attention moving through the storyline. Loved the southern humor, and enjoyed watching Dempsey fix up Birdsong, and of course...a happy ending. "
— Lindsey, 9/10/2012" Dempsey Kilebrew loses her job at a Washington, D.C. firm because of her no-good boss. Her father suggests she go down to Guthrie, Georgia to renovate his family's old house. This book is full of colorful characters. "
— Roxanne, 8/6/2012" Cute book. Definitely fluff, but a fun read. "
— Karma, 6/28/2012" SUMMER READING REVIEW: "Great read...any time of year. Young single woman gets caught up in illegal activity in D.C and restores a historic home in Georgia while finding herself." -Carla Sherman "
— Valley, 5/1/2012" Always love Mary Kay Andrews - light and entertaining. The ending of this one was a little rushed and too perfect, though. "
— Kristin, 4/12/2012" This was the best book I have read in a long time. I thought it was going to be about someone who fixed others up on dates. Boy was I wrong! I could not put this one down! "
— Stephanie, 3/9/2012" The first book I've read by Andrews, I really enjoyed it. It was fun and somewhat predictible at times, but fast-paced enough that I didn't want to put it down. "
— Kerri, 2/11/2012" I loved this fast page turning chicklit book!! Mary Kay Andrews never fails to give us a quick entertaining read. I also loved the fact that my friend and neighbor Beth chose to paint her house the same color as in the book :) "
— Anne-Marie, 7/14/2011" Ok I tried. But the heroine is whiny, has Daddy issues and for someone who is supposed to be a lawyer/lobbyist incredibly stupid. I can't waste anymore time on this one. "
— Natalia, 5/24/2011" Another fun read from Mary Kay Andrews. "
— Kim, 5/17/2011" After a huge scandal hits the news. Dempsey finds herself out of a job and a boss who will not return her panic phone calls. Dempsey ends up in Georgia fixing up and old family house. During the process she finds out about herself and how small towns operate. Cute read!! "
— Jenny, 5/16/2011" Love her fiction - it's light and easy to read with fun plots. "
— Ingle, 5/7/2011" Great read and lots of fun. I love this author" "
— Robin, 4/29/2011" This was a good book, but the characters were not nearly as memorable as the characters in Savannah Breeze which is written by the same author. I did love reading about fixing up the old house. I dream of inheriting an old antebellum mansion....... :) "
— Julie, 4/21/2011" Very entertaining. I recommend this to anyone who likes a good laugh. "
— Tiana, 4/20/2011" I thought this book was cute. It kept me entertained in the car and the narrator was excellent. "
— Heidi, 4/19/2011" a very fun book! would be great for a summer read or something to read on vacation. "
— Anne, 4/15/2011" Light read but a fun story. It proves you never know what you can accomplish until you give it a try! And nother point the story teaches don't make a woman today mad or you just might suffer the consequences!! "
— Carol, 4/13/2011" This book just wasn't for me. I love chick lit but not this type. The characters just didn't have much to them for me but I'm sure others might enjoy it. "
— Tracy, 3/25/2011Mary Kay Andrews is a New York Times bestselling author with numerous critically acclaimed novels, notably the Callahan Garrity mysteries. She earned a degree in journalism from the University of Georgia and worked for more than a dozen years as a reporter, mainly at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Isabel Keating has earned several AudioFile Earphones Awards for her audiobook narration and twice been a finalist for the prestigious Audie Award for best narration. As an actress, she garnered a Drama Desk Award, Theatre World Award, and a Tony nomination for her critically acclaimed 2004 Broadway performance as Judy Garland in The Boy from Oz. She was awarded the Helen Hayes Award for Best Actress in 2000 for her portrayal of Flora Crewe in Tom Stoppard’s Indian Ink.