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Spring Fever
Preparing to move on four years after a divorce, Annajane realizes that she is not over her ex-husband when his wedding to another woman is abruptly cancelled, a situation that is further complicated by her engagement to another man, dark secrets in her sleepy lake town and individuals who want to thwart her happiness. (general fiction). Simultaneous.
510 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2012
1,881 people are currently reading
13.1k people want to read
About the author
Mary Kay Andrews
70Ìýbooks13.6kÌýfollowersMARY KAY ANDREWS is the New York Times bestselling author of 30 novels (including The Homewreckers, The Santa Suit, The Newcomer; Hello, Summer; Sunset Beach; The High Tide Club; The Weekenders; Beach Town; Save the Date; Ladiesâ€� Night; Christmas Bliss; Spring Fever; Summer Rental; The Fixer Upper; Deep Dish; Blue Christmas; Savannah Breeze; Hissy Fit; Little Bitty Lies; and Savannah Blues), and one cookbook, The Beach House Cookbook.
A native of St. Petersburg, Florida, she earned a B.A. in journalism from The University of Georgia. After a 14-year career working as a reporter at newspapers including The Savannah Morning News, The Marietta Journal, and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, where she spent the final ten years of her career, she left journalism in 1991 to write fiction.
Her first novel, Every Crooked Nanny, was published in 1992 by HarperCollins. She went on to write ten critically acclaimed mysteries under her real name, Kathy Hogan Trocheck. In 2002, she assumed the pen name Mary Kay Andrews with the publication of Savannah Blues. In 2006, Hissy Fit became her first New York Times bestseller, followed by twelve more New York Times, USA Today and Publisher’s Weekly bestsellers. To date, her novels have been published in German, Italian, Polish, Slovenian, Hungarian, Dutch, Czech and Japanese.
She and her family divide their time between Atlanta and Tybee Island, GA, where they cook up new recipes in two restored beach homes, The Breeze Inn and Ebbtide—both named after fictional places in Mary Kay’s novels, and both available to rent through Tybee Vacation Rentals. In between cooking, spoiling her grandkids, and plotting her next novel, Mary Kay is an intrepid treasure hunter whose favorite pastime is junking and fixing up old houses.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,864 reviews
January 20, 2013
The kinds of book we enjoy really are matter of personal taste. I downloaded this audiobook and actually listened to the entire book, being to lazy to download another.
Why one star? I was not able to relate to the dysfunctional characters and the illogical story line. I kept asking myself questions about the plot. For example, what exactly makes Anna Jean so important to the company? She apparently sat on her butt in her office for five years, feeling sorry for herself, watching sales decline and yet is lauded as vital employee. Pokey, Mason, and Anna Jean claim they are interested in saving the company but are so self-absorbed, in their personal lives that the business is not even a second thought. The overly fertile Pokey is particularly detestable, she asks probing personal questions in public places and claims to care about the company but cannot make a timely phone call to save the company. When Anna Jean finally, obtains vital information which is company related she just keeps it to herself. What kind of company hires a consultant without doing some sort of background check?
I could go on and on tearing this thing apart but the bottom line as my mother-in-law says "it was not my cup of tea".
Why one star? I was not able to relate to the dysfunctional characters and the illogical story line. I kept asking myself questions about the plot. For example, what exactly makes Anna Jean so important to the company? She apparently sat on her butt in her office for five years, feeling sorry for herself, watching sales decline and yet is lauded as vital employee. Pokey, Mason, and Anna Jean claim they are interested in saving the company but are so self-absorbed, in their personal lives that the business is not even a second thought. The overly fertile Pokey is particularly detestable, she asks probing personal questions in public places and claims to care about the company but cannot make a timely phone call to save the company. When Anna Jean finally, obtains vital information which is company related she just keeps it to herself. What kind of company hires a consultant without doing some sort of background check?
I could go on and on tearing this thing apart but the bottom line as my mother-in-law says "it was not my cup of tea".
October 31, 2023
Spring Fever starts with Annajane Hudgens attending the wedding of her ex-husband, Mason Bayless. They've been divorced for several years. She's engaged to a new man, and more than ready to start her new life with the man she loves. However, not everything goes as she planned...
Wow, this book moved on reaaaaaaly slow...
...rambling on and on with no good flow or real focus.
I didn't like that there were so many flashbacks. By the time author reach chapter five, the wedding circus still goes on. I had to force myself to continue reading but this story did not get any better or interesting for me.
Sadly the characters were difficult to like, especially the "hero", Mason. What is the point of being handsome when you are spineless, with zero personality, and no ability to stand up for yourself. He also lacked brain power to figure out he was being conned.
I read books to escape from a daily stressful life but this book was terrible and annoying.
If you are looking for books that make you laugh and cry, have interesting, unique and quirky characters, then try .
Wow, this book moved on reaaaaaaly slow...
...rambling on and on with no good flow or real focus.
I didn't like that there were so many flashbacks. By the time author reach chapter five, the wedding circus still goes on. I had to force myself to continue reading but this story did not get any better or interesting for me.
Sadly the characters were difficult to like, especially the "hero", Mason. What is the point of being handsome when you are spineless, with zero personality, and no ability to stand up for yourself. He also lacked brain power to figure out he was being conned.
I read books to escape from a daily stressful life but this book was terrible and annoying.
If you are looking for books that make you laugh and cry, have interesting, unique and quirky characters, then try .
June 3, 2023
Fever by Mary Kay Andrews (Summer Rental)
*ARC Supplied by Publisher*
This is a book about second chances. It is about when life hands us a ‘do-over� do we have the depth of character and maturity to take a chance on getting things right the second time around. It is about Mason’s integrity and his abiding love of a family business that will keep a town from going under. Finally, it is about Annajane's ability to love and trust someone whom she has a few doubts about.
Annajane and Mason have just such a chance when Mason’s marriage to his new fiancé is interrupted by his little girl Sophie having a hot appendix and being rushed to the hospital. You see, Annajane and Mason were once married, but they didn’t quite make it. So now Mason is getting married to someone who is most definitely NOT the one he was destined to be with for the rest of his life. Annajane is engaged to a musician now, but even though Mason is her ex-husband, she has been invited to his wedding to Celia.
One of the main issues this story deals with is the Bayless family business, Quixie soda, a regional product, and the possibility that a much larger company will take over the family company. Of course, there is more to it, but I don’t want to ruin the story for you.
After the somewhat lackluster release of last year’s “Summer Rental�, this book was just a pleasant surprise. I was worried that Ms. Andrews would keep on with the notion that those of us who like Southern chick lit would be appeased with another book like “Summer Rental.�
What she gave us with “Spring Fever� is one of the most delightful, witty, charming stories I have read in ages. The characters are so well-defined that you could swear you’ve met them before or at least people just like them. Everyone knows a couple that was perfect for each other but too stubborn to realize it themselves. I’m sure everyone has known a back-stabbing SOB like Celia or a money-obsessed person like Mason’s brother. And this is just one of the things that makes this novel a delight to read. The descriptions of the area, the factory, and the secondary characters are all richly written and 100% believable. The dialogue is believable, and so is the story. The ease of reading this novel was truly pleasant for me.
This will defiantly be a book I will read every springtime.
*ARC Supplied by Publisher*
This is a book about second chances. It is about when life hands us a ‘do-over� do we have the depth of character and maturity to take a chance on getting things right the second time around. It is about Mason’s integrity and his abiding love of a family business that will keep a town from going under. Finally, it is about Annajane's ability to love and trust someone whom she has a few doubts about.
Annajane and Mason have just such a chance when Mason’s marriage to his new fiancé is interrupted by his little girl Sophie having a hot appendix and being rushed to the hospital. You see, Annajane and Mason were once married, but they didn’t quite make it. So now Mason is getting married to someone who is most definitely NOT the one he was destined to be with for the rest of his life. Annajane is engaged to a musician now, but even though Mason is her ex-husband, she has been invited to his wedding to Celia.
One of the main issues this story deals with is the Bayless family business, Quixie soda, a regional product, and the possibility that a much larger company will take over the family company. Of course, there is more to it, but I don’t want to ruin the story for you.
After the somewhat lackluster release of last year’s “Summer Rental�, this book was just a pleasant surprise. I was worried that Ms. Andrews would keep on with the notion that those of us who like Southern chick lit would be appeased with another book like “Summer Rental.�
What she gave us with “Spring Fever� is one of the most delightful, witty, charming stories I have read in ages. The characters are so well-defined that you could swear you’ve met them before or at least people just like them. Everyone knows a couple that was perfect for each other but too stubborn to realize it themselves. I’m sure everyone has known a back-stabbing SOB like Celia or a money-obsessed person like Mason’s brother. And this is just one of the things that makes this novel a delight to read. The descriptions of the area, the factory, and the secondary characters are all richly written and 100% believable. The dialogue is believable, and so is the story. The ease of reading this novel was truly pleasant for me.
This will defiantly be a book I will read every springtime.
June 25, 2024
Free now for members of Amazon's KindleUnlimited to borrow.
This is a review of a different copy.
Spring Fever by Mary Kay Andrews (author of Summer Rental)
*ARC Supplied by Publisher*
This is a book about second chances. It is about when life hands us a ‘do-over� do we have the depth of character and maturity to take a chance on getting things right the second time around. It is about Mason’s integrity and his abiding love of a family business that will keep a town from going under. It is about Annajanes ability to love and trust someone that she has a few doubts about.
Annajane and Mason have just such a chance when Mason’s marriage to his new fiancé is interrupted by his little girl Sophie having a hot appendix and being rushed to the hospital. You see, Annajane and Mason were once married, but they didn’t quite make it. Now Mason is getting married to someone who is most definitely NOT the one he was destined to be with the rest of his life. Annajane is engaged to a musician now, but even though Mason is her ex-husband, she has been invited to his wedding to Celia.
One of the main issues this story deals with is the Bayless’s family business Quixie soda, a regional product, and the possibility that the family company will be taken over by a much larger company. There is more to it but I don’t want to ruin the story for you.
After the somewhat slightly lackluster release of last year’s “Summer Rental�, this book was just such a pleasant surprise. I was worried that Ms. Andrews would keep on with the notion that those of us who like Southern chick lit would be appeased with another book like “Summer Rental�
What she gave us with “Spring Fever� is one of the most delightful, witty, charming stories I have read in ages. The characters are so well defined that you could swear you’ve met them before or at least people just like them. Everyone knows a couple that was just perfect for each other, but too stubborn to realize it themselves. I’m sure everyone has known a back-stabbing SOB like Celia is or a money-obsessed person like Mason’s brother. And this is just one of the things that makes this novel such a delight to read. The descriptions of the area, the factory, and the secondary characters are all richly written and 100% believable. The dialogue is believable and so is the story. The ease of reading this novel was truly pleasant for me.
This will defiantly be a book I will read repeatedly every springtime.
This is a review of a different copy.
Spring Fever by Mary Kay Andrews (author of Summer Rental)
*ARC Supplied by Publisher*
This is a book about second chances. It is about when life hands us a ‘do-over� do we have the depth of character and maturity to take a chance on getting things right the second time around. It is about Mason’s integrity and his abiding love of a family business that will keep a town from going under. It is about Annajanes ability to love and trust someone that she has a few doubts about.
Annajane and Mason have just such a chance when Mason’s marriage to his new fiancé is interrupted by his little girl Sophie having a hot appendix and being rushed to the hospital. You see, Annajane and Mason were once married, but they didn’t quite make it. Now Mason is getting married to someone who is most definitely NOT the one he was destined to be with the rest of his life. Annajane is engaged to a musician now, but even though Mason is her ex-husband, she has been invited to his wedding to Celia.
One of the main issues this story deals with is the Bayless’s family business Quixie soda, a regional product, and the possibility that the family company will be taken over by a much larger company. There is more to it but I don’t want to ruin the story for you.
After the somewhat slightly lackluster release of last year’s “Summer Rental�, this book was just such a pleasant surprise. I was worried that Ms. Andrews would keep on with the notion that those of us who like Southern chick lit would be appeased with another book like “Summer Rental�
What she gave us with “Spring Fever� is one of the most delightful, witty, charming stories I have read in ages. The characters are so well defined that you could swear you’ve met them before or at least people just like them. Everyone knows a couple that was just perfect for each other, but too stubborn to realize it themselves. I’m sure everyone has known a back-stabbing SOB like Celia is or a money-obsessed person like Mason’s brother. And this is just one of the things that makes this novel such a delight to read. The descriptions of the area, the factory, and the secondary characters are all richly written and 100% believable. The dialogue is believable and so is the story. The ease of reading this novel was truly pleasant for me.
This will defiantly be a book I will read repeatedly every springtime.
Shelved as 'unfinished'
May 22, 2019I'm going to dnf this with no rating because it's not really the book's fault that it isn't a story I'm interested in. Andrews spins a great story and the location is evocative and the relationship dynamics complex and in ways that have great potential.
My problem is that I'm primarily a romance reader and this is very firmly chick-lit. The romance is developing painfully slowly and could be resolved with a conversation and a little charity. And it isn't even that the author is artificially keeping them from having the conversation. It makes sense given their mutual hurt that they interact the way they do. It's just that I want the reconciliation and have become irrationally impatient of impediments for these two characters. They're so perfect for each other and I want them to get on with getting together.
Anyway, yeah. No rating. Good story with interesting setup and characters I really like in a situation that will eventually provide great payoffs. I can see that, but the thought of going through the remaining story to get there fills me with impatience that will not age well.
My problem is that I'm primarily a romance reader and this is very firmly chick-lit. The romance is developing painfully slowly and could be resolved with a conversation and a little charity. And it isn't even that the author is artificially keeping them from having the conversation. It makes sense given their mutual hurt that they interact the way they do. It's just that I want the reconciliation and have become irrationally impatient of impediments for these two characters. They're so perfect for each other and I want them to get on with getting together.
Anyway, yeah. No rating. Good story with interesting setup and characters I really like in a situation that will eventually provide great payoffs. I can see that, but the thought of going through the remaining story to get there fills me with impatience that will not age well.
April 26, 2024
I think this was ultimately a sweet story. It took a little bitterness, resentment, remorse, and anger to get there but don’t we always appreciate the good times better when we have some bad to compare them with? This was a story of family and flawed people, second chances for some, and more heartache for others. Sometimes people do get what they deserve!
August 30, 2015
This was a very fun audiobook. I brought it into the house to finish as I was cleaning and my husband kept laughing at the little bits he was hearing. He finally said he thought the book was pretty funny. I really enjoy Mary Kay Andrews especially as an audiobook.
July 29, 2012
This was an easy summer read. Exactly what I was looking for.
August 17, 2013
Written for :
3.5 stars
Spring Fever was so essentially... sweet. When I read the blurb, I thought it was going to be an explosive reuinion - exes arguing and rehashing the past to move on. I didn't expect it to be such a tentative, loving joining.
I think the characters were well-rounded through and through, with Annajane positively shining as a strong, dedicated heroine (despite ditching her marriage) and Mason being as honest as he was. Background characters tend to lack depth, being stereotyped without unique personality traits (not that it usually takes too much away from the book), but Mary Kay Andrews succeeded in adding depth to all her characters, giving each secondary character a personality that aided in the plotline.
The main conflict was a tad bit too dramatic where Mason's fiance and mother were concerned, and Annajane's fiance, Shane, was also an unneccessary abberation considering he provided no challenge or barrier.
I absolutely enjoyed Spring Fever, it was one of the 'cutest' books I've read in a long time, but I, perhaps, found it a little too relaxing (if you get my drift) and I felt there was a slightly loose end concerning Celia (Mason's fiance), as she sounded she was cooking up some grand scheme towards the ending there that never showed itself. I'll be looking for more titles by this author.
3.5 stars
Spring Fever was so essentially... sweet. When I read the blurb, I thought it was going to be an explosive reuinion - exes arguing and rehashing the past to move on. I didn't expect it to be such a tentative, loving joining.
I think the characters were well-rounded through and through, with Annajane positively shining as a strong, dedicated heroine (despite ditching her marriage) and Mason being as honest as he was. Background characters tend to lack depth, being stereotyped without unique personality traits (not that it usually takes too much away from the book), but Mary Kay Andrews succeeded in adding depth to all her characters, giving each secondary character a personality that aided in the plotline.
The main conflict was a tad bit too dramatic where Mason's fiance and mother were concerned, and Annajane's fiance, Shane, was also an unneccessary abberation considering he provided no challenge or barrier.
I absolutely enjoyed Spring Fever, it was one of the 'cutest' books I've read in a long time, but I, perhaps, found it a little too relaxing (if you get my drift) and I felt there was a slightly loose end concerning Celia (Mason's fiance), as she sounded she was cooking up some grand scheme towards the ending there that never showed itself. I'll be looking for more titles by this author.
July 9, 2012
This is a MUST READ y'all. If you only read one MKA book, let it be this one - please!
I absolutely love MKA, and I think this is my favorite book of hers that I've read so far. She is such a talented writer and has such a beautiful way of captivating the reader's attention to a story. I love how she slowly and carefully weaves details and backstory for the characters throughout her books. I love that she constantly includes humerus southern-isms and names into the stories, which made them slightly ridiculous but so unique.
This book was nothing like I expected when I started reading. After reading some people's reviews, I was skeptical about how I would feel for the plot and for the main characters. However, reading the book - I understood the thinking and the logic behind MKA's writing and why she crafted the story the way she did. I also loved the bit of suspense and mystery she wove through the story, and I can honestly say I was SHOCKED at one twist in the book.
I absolutely love MKA, and I think this is my favorite book of hers that I've read so far. She is such a talented writer and has such a beautiful way of captivating the reader's attention to a story. I love how she slowly and carefully weaves details and backstory for the characters throughout her books. I love that she constantly includes humerus southern-isms and names into the stories, which made them slightly ridiculous but so unique.
This book was nothing like I expected when I started reading. After reading some people's reviews, I was skeptical about how I would feel for the plot and for the main characters. However, reading the book - I understood the thinking and the logic behind MKA's writing and why she crafted the story the way she did. I also loved the bit of suspense and mystery she wove through the story, and I can honestly say I was SHOCKED at one twist in the book.
June 28, 2012
Spring Fever was a slow-starter for me. It had an incredible amount of back story that dragged on and was confusing at times. (I found myself getting lost between the past/present and having to re-read.) In fairness, most of the back story was needed to support the plot and romance. Eventually the story picked up pace about half-way through and I grew to like Annajane and Mason. Reading about the adorable antics of 6-year-old Sophie and her pink pocketbook made it all worth it.
Anything written by Mary Kay Andrews is an auto-buy for me, but this one? Not my favorite. If you want to experience this author's charming Southern style, try Hissy Fit. I still giggle when I think about it. :)
Anything written by Mary Kay Andrews is an auto-buy for me, but this one? Not my favorite. If you want to experience this author's charming Southern style, try Hissy Fit. I still giggle when I think about it. :)
September 21, 2012
Not great literature, but fun enough to listen to in the car between destinations. I met the author once, and was totally charmed by her,so it's fun to pick up one of her books occasionally. Also liked the bits fo soft drink company-isms, as I once dated the son of a VP from once of our national chains. The house had the soda logo all over the place. On my first visit, there were a slew of gifts for me with the logo, too: tee shirts, tote bag, pillow, jewlery box, bracelet, earrings, socks... "What? No panties?", I quipped to my boyfriend. His mother looked agast, and his father laughed so hard he snorted his Jim Beam and Name Brand Soda out his nose. I definitely wasn't on their keeper list.
November 2, 2018
I'm surprised by how invested I found myself in this book. I was fussing at the characters when they did something stupid, was thrilled when they finally did the right thing, was shocked when certain things were revealed. I loved the gay couple that ran the motel, they were fun and I would have liked to see a bit more of them.
June 29, 2012
This is the 3rd book in the last few weeks that I've read by Andrews. In fact, it was a review of this book that caused me to read the other ones because the older books were available at the library while I waited (i.e., name placed on the wait list).
In some ways, in an uncertain world where people's real stories often turn out horribly, it's nice to read some books where the ending is happy but plausible. This book falls in this category. Sometimes that bad things that people do catch up with them and it's interesting to read how that happens. This is what I like about the book. The character development and the details in the story line were quite good. Unlike the other two books, this review might be 3.5.
What I didn't like is how long the book took in many places - it dragged in many places and along the main story line. On the other hand, some of the other story lines were just about the right length.
As a summer read, this is worth the time but maybe warrants a little skimming in some parts.
In some ways, in an uncertain world where people's real stories often turn out horribly, it's nice to read some books where the ending is happy but plausible. This book falls in this category. Sometimes that bad things that people do catch up with them and it's interesting to read how that happens. This is what I like about the book. The character development and the details in the story line were quite good. Unlike the other two books, this review might be 3.5.
What I didn't like is how long the book took in many places - it dragged in many places and along the main story line. On the other hand, some of the other story lines were just about the right length.
As a summer read, this is worth the time but maybe warrants a little skimming in some parts.
July 5, 2012
I really don't know what kind of fools they take women for to play out utterly ridiculous crap!
The hero is like all other stupid films: he hurts the person, again and again and still she is desperately in love with him. Deterred from marrying 'the crazy lady' he returns yet again to Annjane, his ex wife. Of course the crazy villain plays the I am pregnant card and because he doesn't live in the 21st century and he hasn't EVER heard the story he falls for it!
Completely unoriginal. I have no idea how/why it made to the NY bestsellers list. It's unfortunate that such stories still sell.
The hero is like all other stupid films: he hurts the person, again and again and still she is desperately in love with him. Deterred from marrying 'the crazy lady' he returns yet again to Annjane, his ex wife. Of course the crazy villain plays the I am pregnant card and because he doesn't live in the 21st century and he hasn't EVER heard the story he falls for it!
Completely unoriginal. I have no idea how/why it made to the NY bestsellers list. It's unfortunate that such stories still sell.
July 31, 2012
Another great Mary Kay Andrews story. She keeps you guessing till the very end and all ends well as usual. Loved Annajane's feisty bestfriends Pokey.
December 13, 2023
A divorced woman is about to get remarried to a new man, when her wedding goes off the rails while she is walking down the aisle. Then it's the usual small town secrets.
Feels quaint.
Feels quaint.
April 13, 2025
Oh, the drama! Not one of my preferred genres. I read this book to complete a few reading challenges. It held my interest well enough, and I liked the twist at the end, but this book didn't contain anything phenomenal.
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November 22, 2013
I have been a fan of MKA for years, ever since I read Savannah Blues many years ago. I was quite pleased when I first saw this book had come out, and couldn't wait to get into it.
I honestly have no idea what happened here. The first half of the book is mired down in flashbacks. After that, it veers off the rails to become the most soapy, melodramatic thing I have ever read, and I've read V.C. Andrews.
There's affairs, more affairs, suspicions of affairs, secret children, secret pregnancies, faked pregnancies, secret plots and betrayals, even a tacked on last minute murder mystery.
I think the worst thing is that every stop, the characters rarely do anything. For all her so-called amazing company skills, Annajane does nothing to thwart Celia despite finding out that she completely fleeced the company which bought her last, and that it would be quite easy to bring those public record documents to light. In fact, throughout the novel she remains quite passive, simply willing to run away and let the man she loves get taken by someone who knows is a conniving, possibly abusive cheat who will destroy the company, ruin's Mason's life and make Sophie miserable. She cares so much about Sophie and Mason and Quixie, but she never steps up to do anything about it, even when the ability to take down Celia presents itself again and again.
It really is amazing how trusting and naive the company is. Incompetent members aren't fired or chastised because "they're family." Celia's background is never looked into, despite her having a lawsuit on public record going on, and having publicly being accused of plagiarism.
And even then, I can't quite figure out what is holding Annajane back. The fear that she will get gossiped about? Mason's disapproval? Annajane spends the entire book running and being passive about the drama around her, and it's only Sophie's finding of the birth control pills which thwarts Celia's plans, even though Annajane could've ended the book with half the melodrama of the last half if she'd just brought proof of Celia's wrongdoings, and quit telling people to keep it on the down low.
Eventually, I got numb of the drama and would just shake my head at each new revelation which Annajane of course, did nothing with or about.
This one's a definite pass, though I did enjoy her most recent, Ladies' Night, which was a return to form for MKA.
I honestly have no idea what happened here. The first half of the book is mired down in flashbacks. After that, it veers off the rails to become the most soapy, melodramatic thing I have ever read, and I've read V.C. Andrews.
There's affairs, more affairs, suspicions of affairs, secret children, secret pregnancies, faked pregnancies, secret plots and betrayals, even a tacked on last minute murder mystery.
I think the worst thing is that every stop, the characters rarely do anything. For all her so-called amazing company skills, Annajane does nothing to thwart Celia despite finding out that she completely fleeced the company which bought her last, and that it would be quite easy to bring those public record documents to light. In fact, throughout the novel she remains quite passive, simply willing to run away and let the man she loves get taken by someone who knows is a conniving, possibly abusive cheat who will destroy the company, ruin's Mason's life and make Sophie miserable. She cares so much about Sophie and Mason and Quixie, but she never steps up to do anything about it, even when the ability to take down Celia presents itself again and again.
It really is amazing how trusting and naive the company is. Incompetent members aren't fired or chastised because "they're family." Celia's background is never looked into, despite her having a lawsuit on public record going on, and having publicly being accused of plagiarism.
And even then, I can't quite figure out what is holding Annajane back. The fear that she will get gossiped about? Mason's disapproval? Annajane spends the entire book running and being passive about the drama around her, and it's only Sophie's finding of the birth control pills which thwarts Celia's plans, even though Annajane could've ended the book with half the melodrama of the last half if she'd just brought proof of Celia's wrongdoings, and quit telling people to keep it on the down low.
Eventually, I got numb of the drama and would just shake my head at each new revelation which Annajane of course, did nothing with or about.
This one's a definite pass, though I did enjoy her most recent, Ladies' Night, which was a return to form for MKA.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 8, 2012
Spring Fever is most definitely Andrews' best work, to date (though I can't quite reconcile the title to the story. I suppose if everyone was at as much of a loss when attempting to come up with another title as I seem to be, it's fitting enough. Still...)
I could not put this one down, and enjoyed every minute of it. The classic tale of family secrets, sibling rivalry, small-town drama (gossip), long lost love, people who are not at all what they seem to be...
My husband kept interrupting me, asking "Good book?", which I confirmed while waving off his interruptions.
The characters are endearing. The story is familiar- some might even say "predictable" however, this is definitely the stuff good reads are made of! Readers accustomed to "waiting for the other shoe to drop" won't be disappointed. The way the author works each new tidbit of information into the tale is sneaky and fun.
The flashbacks in the beginning were a bit of a distraction, initially, but things got moving right along quickly enough.
I loved how Sophie turns out to be the key to so many things in the end, I loved the discovery of the retro Quixie ads and old bottles.
I'm kind of disappointed there's not an actual Quixie soda to run out and try.
I could not put this one down, and enjoyed every minute of it. The classic tale of family secrets, sibling rivalry, small-town drama (gossip), long lost love, people who are not at all what they seem to be...
My husband kept interrupting me, asking "Good book?", which I confirmed while waving off his interruptions.
The characters are endearing. The story is familiar- some might even say "predictable" however, this is definitely the stuff good reads are made of! Readers accustomed to "waiting for the other shoe to drop" won't be disappointed. The way the author works each new tidbit of information into the tale is sneaky and fun.
The flashbacks in the beginning were a bit of a distraction, initially, but things got moving right along quickly enough.
I loved how Sophie turns out to be the key to so many things in the end, I loved the discovery of the retro Quixie ads and old bottles.
I'm kind of disappointed there's not an actual Quixie soda to run out and try.
June 14, 2012
I have really enjoyed some of her other books. I love a book that can make me laugh out loud and I have always found this with her books. This one...eh...not so much. Although it was an easy read and kept my interest I am missing the wit brought forth in her previous books. I totally disliked Mason. I need a stronger male character and I found him lacking and kind of a wuss. I did get that the main characters loved each other but didn't really know why. And if their love was as enduring as portrayed I'm not sure I believed they would have split for the reasons given. If you are a fan you will enjoy the book but you will miss the bite and zaniness of some of her early offerings.
May 22, 2024
Fun clean romance that takes place in Passcie, NC. Has me craving some Cherry Soda. Was a pretty long read, some time skips catching us to current day events.
Love Sophie, she certainly needs a puppy to love on.
Love the name Pokey who is an awesome Mom with 4 kids.
Need me a red convertible Chevelle!
Rest of the characters are so so.
Certainly some surprises at the end, so stay tuned for those.
Love Sophie, she certainly needs a puppy to love on.
Love the name Pokey who is an awesome Mom with 4 kids.
Need me a red convertible Chevelle!
Rest of the characters are so so.
Certainly some surprises at the end, so stay tuned for those.
April 1, 2016
This book was entertaining enough but really pretty shallow. Celia was a comically flat "evil" character, while Annajane was underdeveloped. I only finished because I was reading on a plane.
June 11, 2020
3,5 stars
I really don't know what to say about Spring Fever. I had fun reading it, it had good Summer vibes, the best kind for this time of year. Most of the time I found Mason to be a dumb man but then, later, came THAT TWIST and, oh my gosh, I couldn't believe it, it's the kind of thing that changes ones perspective about everything.
Ok, it had that twist and some other revelations but the story itself wasn't near as good as the others I read previously by this author. It was about family's secrets and greed, broken loves and cheats. Easily read but it didn't leave any special impression with me.
I really don't know what to say about Spring Fever. I had fun reading it, it had good Summer vibes, the best kind for this time of year. Most of the time I found Mason to be a dumb man but then, later, came THAT TWIST and, oh my gosh, I couldn't believe it, it's the kind of thing that changes ones perspective about everything.
Ok, it had that twist and some other revelations but the story itself wasn't near as good as the others I read previously by this author. It was about family's secrets and greed, broken loves and cheats. Easily read but it didn't leave any special impression with me.
June 30, 2014
I am not quite sure what I thought. As some of my other reviews note, I enjoy love stories. But lately, I keep picking up ones where the conflict is so contrived that I just can't feel any sympathy for the characters.
What I don't understand is what was going on in the five years that Annajane and Mason were split up. Five years...is a long freakin' time!!!
I find it very hard to believe that anyone could stand working in the same office, pining over someone for five long years. And then actually attend the wedding of the other party.
I also want to know what either of them were doing in the office during that time since it would seem neither really had any very good ideas about how to keep their beloved Quixie current and profitable. We heard about all this value and work that Annajane brought to the table but other than some major brainstorming sessions with some rather obvious ideas, we never really were given much more information. However, maybe that wasn't the point and I just happened to be interested in that sort of thing.
I also find it annoying in stories where you basically know what's going to happen but still need to go through so very much back story. I would have enjoyed more interesting flashbacks and more evidence of the relationship falling apart. I mean jeesh, if I pulled that crap on my husband because he missed an event, I'd be divorced ten times over - stuff happens. Get over it.
In any event, there were some fun characters to root for and others to despise. A decent summer read for sure.
What I don't understand is what was going on in the five years that Annajane and Mason were split up. Five years...is a long freakin' time!!!
I find it very hard to believe that anyone could stand working in the same office, pining over someone for five long years. And then actually attend the wedding of the other party.
I also want to know what either of them were doing in the office during that time since it would seem neither really had any very good ideas about how to keep their beloved Quixie current and profitable. We heard about all this value and work that Annajane brought to the table but other than some major brainstorming sessions with some rather obvious ideas, we never really were given much more information. However, maybe that wasn't the point and I just happened to be interested in that sort of thing.
I also find it annoying in stories where you basically know what's going to happen but still need to go through so very much back story. I would have enjoyed more interesting flashbacks and more evidence of the relationship falling apart. I mean jeesh, if I pulled that crap on my husband because he missed an event, I'd be divorced ten times over - stuff happens. Get over it.
In any event, there were some fun characters to root for and others to despise. A decent summer read for sure.
January 12, 2013
Chick lit books. I have a love/hate relationship with these books. I love the familiarity of them, the comfort, and the mindless page turning. But they, like many genres, have a formula. And it almost always involves a happy and far-fetched ending. In the latest book I devoured, compliments of the public library, this was certainly the case once again. In "Spring Fever" by Mary Kay Andrews, our protagonist, Annajane Hudgens, believes she is over her ex-husband, Mason. Mason, of course, is good looking and wealthy. She’s now with a new guy who is so fucking plain and simple that it makes Edward Cullen look like a character out of a Tolstoy novel. The setting is in the south, so that "I'm just a gosh darn sweet southern gal" mentality permeates the entire novel. Mason's new girlfriend is so two dimensional, she may as well be the Penguin from a Batman comic book. So guess how it ends? Hmmmm? Yep, exactly as predicted. That being said, there were a few twists toward the ending of the story and this book helped get me through the flu. So there was some redeeming value to it. Very little, but some.
June 10, 2013
This has probably been my favorite MK Andrews book yet. I'm such a sucker for Cheerwine though that I just really loved the storyline involving the fictitious Quixie beverage which was written based on Cheerwine. The main characters feels about Quixie mirror mine about Cheerwine, so this book was just perfect for me. I finished it while at the beach, and it is a great light beach read!
April 10, 2014
This book may have been more like 4.5 stars for me....I just loved it! The small town NC setting, the Quizie/Cheerwine, the characters, all of it! Of course it all got wrapped up very neatly (too neatly?) at the end, but I expected that, and it made me happy!
January 8, 2018
My first 2018 book. MKA has always been consistently writing about weddings and marriage. I am so glad I have read this. It was full of drama. Strong characters and consistent plots. It’s all about the love-hate relationship.
January 24, 2016
Oh child! This is like Red Velvet cake, Diet Dr. Pepper, fried okra - good old Southern family and "made" family... Skeletons in the closet... Lawdy! I loved it! (Chuckle)
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