cover image Summer Rental

Summer Rental

Mary Kay Andrews. St. Martin's, $25.99 (416p) ISBN 978-0-312-64269-3

Andrews (Savannah Blues) spins a beach blanket sizzler around three lifelong friends who grew up together in Savannah%E2%80%94unemployed banker Ellis, model Julia, teacher Dorie%E2%80%94and reunite in Nags Head, N.C., for a month-long holiday at a rundown rental elegantly named the Ebbtide. But when the 30-somethings BFFs, each of whom is struggling with life-changing crises, take in Maryn, a stranger and runaway-wife, the beachy holiday takes on a dangerous edge. To the rescue comes handsome landlord Ty, who's renting out his ramshackle family home in hopes of staving off foreclosure. Amid all the romantic entanglements%E2%80%94Julia with her marriage-phobia, love-shy Ellis, and Dorie with her truckload of drama%E2%80%94Andrews pulls off an exciting tale of Maryn's abusive embezzler husband. This warm weather treat has a lot going for it, not least the sunny forecast that summer love can blossom into a four-season commitment. (June)