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A Great Marriage
When a perfect wedding is called off just days before the big event, it sends two people—and their families—reeling, in this poignant novel from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Under the Tuscan Sun and Women in SunlightDoes a great romance make a great marriage? Dara Willcox, up in New York for a weekend, meets Austin Clarke at an art gallery. If love at first sight can happen, it happens to them. These two vivid, ambitious people are on different trajectories—he’s British, working temporarily in New York. She’s set on law school. They don’t care. They will make their lives together happen. At their engagement dinner at Dara’s family home, her mother Lee sets a beautiful table and the family and close friends gather to celebrate. Rich, Dara’s father, raises a toast. Suddenly, Lee spills the wine, a brilliant red stain splashing onto the tablecloth and onto Austin.Days later, Austin hears unsettling news from London that threatens to wreck his plans. When Dara learns of the problem, she abruptly cancels the wedding. She refuses to reveal the reason, not even to her parents or grandmother, disrupting their family tradition of openness. As everyone knows, Lee and Rich have a great marriage, and Charlotte, her grandmother, had a colossal one, to the late Senator Mann. Charlotte has even “written the book on marriage,” as the acclaimed author of numerous non-fiction bestsellers on the topic.Chaos ensues as the romantic wedding plans unravel. Dara’s failure cuts deep. She heads to California, finding solace with friends and driving the coastal highway. Austin, back in London, faces not only his culpability but a major tragedy, the consequences of which are far-reaching and life-altering. Is their once-great romance over? Can a great marriage still be forged?With her signature warmth, knowing humor and intimate, observational style, beloved author Frances Mayes creates a rich tapestry of characters from an unforgettable family, exploring the grand mystery ride of marriage, and what really makes for a “great” one.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published August 13, 2024
About the author
Frances Mayes
61 books1,998 followersFrances Mayes's new book is See You in the Piazza: New Places to Discover in Italy published by Crown. Her most recent novel is Women in Sunlight, published by Crown and available in paperback in spring 2019. With her husband, Edward Mayes she recently published The Tuscan Sun Cookbook.
Every Day in Tuscany
is the third volume in her bestselling Tuscany memoir series.
In addition to her Tuscany memoirs, Under the Tuscan Sun and Bella Tuscany , Frances Mayes is the author of the memoirs Under Magnolia: A Southern Memoir; A Year in the World; the illustrated books In Tuscany and Bringing Tuscany Home; Swan, a novel; The Discovery of Poetry, a text for readers; and five books of poetry. She divides her time between homes in Italy and North Carolina.
In addition to her Tuscany memoirs, Under the Tuscan Sun and Bella Tuscany , Frances Mayes is the author of the memoirs Under Magnolia: A Southern Memoir; A Year in the World; the illustrated books In Tuscany and Bringing Tuscany Home; Swan, a novel; The Discovery of Poetry, a text for readers; and five books of poetry. She divides her time between homes in Italy and North Carolina.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 176 reviews
June 8, 2024
What makes a great marriage or even a good one or a good divorce?
Dara and Austin are in love and celebrating their upcoming marriage with family and friends. Little do they suspect that something will seriously impact their relationship, throwing their worlds into chaos. With support of those who love them, will they find their way back to each other?
Both literary fiction and romance, this is a beautiful story and I loved it. With an entertaining storyline, the book explores romantic relationships and partnerships. It is well written, literate, with a cohesive plot and charming intergenerational characters. As she has done with other locales, Mayes paints a beautiful portrait of the South (US). Perhaps a bit fairy talish, I think it may take a certain level of maturity and experience to truly appreciate this read.
Thanks to @NetGalley and @RandomHouse #BallantineBooks for the DRC.
Dara and Austin are in love and celebrating their upcoming marriage with family and friends. Little do they suspect that something will seriously impact their relationship, throwing their worlds into chaos. With support of those who love them, will they find their way back to each other?
Both literary fiction and romance, this is a beautiful story and I loved it. With an entertaining storyline, the book explores romantic relationships and partnerships. It is well written, literate, with a cohesive plot and charming intergenerational characters. As she has done with other locales, Mayes paints a beautiful portrait of the South (US). Perhaps a bit fairy talish, I think it may take a certain level of maturity and experience to truly appreciate this read.
Thanks to @NetGalley and @RandomHouse #BallantineBooks for the DRC.
June 10, 2024
Initially I chose this because of my admiration for the author, who took the world by storm with her captivating memoir detailing the acquisition and modernization of a structure in Tuscany, complete with sensual overloads of descriptions of meals taken outside in timeless settings. Under the Tuscan Sun set off an onrush of emigres hopeful to recreate her experience. However, as with another author whose foodie expertise has led to amazing memoirs, her fiction wallows in the shallows of romanticism, and while there are mouthwatering depictions of every meal and nosh and accompanying drink, the characters are two dimensional, the situations overwrought, and the dialogue improbable.
June 19, 2024
In "A Great Marriage," Frances didn't write the ending I wanted to read.
Instead, she delivers an overly sweet resolution tied up neatly in a pretty bow. Readers are going to love it. I didn't.
Dara and Austin are set to wed when consequences from his stupid actions upend their storybook romance. Apart, they set out for a little self-discovery. Apparently, self-discovery comes to those with pockets deep enough to jet between countries or to take spur-of-the-moment road trips across the United States.
My opinions about "A Great Marriage" definitely were influenced by my own marriage to a wonderful man. Austin did a stupid thing and then compounded that with his awful reaction when faced with the initial consequences. My hubby wouldn't do that.
Still, most readers will be captivated by what is presented as a true love story that cannot be torpedoed. Happy endings all around.
Instead, she delivers an overly sweet resolution tied up neatly in a pretty bow. Readers are going to love it. I didn't.
Dara and Austin are set to wed when consequences from his stupid actions upend their storybook romance. Apart, they set out for a little self-discovery. Apparently, self-discovery comes to those with pockets deep enough to jet between countries or to take spur-of-the-moment road trips across the United States.
My opinions about "A Great Marriage" definitely were influenced by my own marriage to a wonderful man. Austin did a stupid thing and then compounded that with his awful reaction when faced with the initial consequences. My hubby wouldn't do that.
Still, most readers will be captivated by what is presented as a true love story that cannot be torpedoed. Happy endings all around.
April 18, 2024
ARC for review. To be published August 13, 2024.
When Dara Willcox of Hillston, North Carolina (just outside Durham/Chapel Hill) and Austin Clarke of London meet at an NYc art opening it’s love at first sight. She’s headed for law school; he’s an architect temporarily working in the city. They quickly decide they are ready for a life together.
However, just after their engagement dinner Austin gets distressing news from London which upsets their plans and Dara cancels the wedding. She won’t tell anyone why, which is surprising, her parents, Lee and Rich have a great marriage and her grandmother Charlotte, married to a late Senator, actually wrote a book about good marriages.
Dara flees to California, then South Carolina to recover while Austin returns to London to face what he must. Ultimately, it’s Dara’s parents and grandmother who take a trip to London….what happens to both families?
I’m not much on romances, but I still thoroughly enjoyed this book, although Lee and Rich seemed a little too good to be true to me, as did Charlotte and her late husband. No wonder Dara was so worried she would suffer by comparison! And it killed me that Dara could just blithely take time off to do what she wanted….um, where do you get the money to support yourself? Where do all of these artists in South Carolina get money? See, I guess I’m just too cynical for romance!
All that said, I still liked the book, especially the line, “Plan B for southerners is always to return home.” That is so true. Love that. So, if you are a romance fan, read this!
When Dara Willcox of Hillston, North Carolina (just outside Durham/Chapel Hill) and Austin Clarke of London meet at an NYc art opening it’s love at first sight. She’s headed for law school; he’s an architect temporarily working in the city. They quickly decide they are ready for a life together.
However, just after their engagement dinner Austin gets distressing news from London which upsets their plans and Dara cancels the wedding. She won’t tell anyone why, which is surprising, her parents, Lee and Rich have a great marriage and her grandmother Charlotte, married to a late Senator, actually wrote a book about good marriages.
Dara flees to California, then South Carolina to recover while Austin returns to London to face what he must. Ultimately, it’s Dara’s parents and grandmother who take a trip to London….what happens to both families?
I’m not much on romances, but I still thoroughly enjoyed this book, although Lee and Rich seemed a little too good to be true to me, as did Charlotte and her late husband. No wonder Dara was so worried she would suffer by comparison! And it killed me that Dara could just blithely take time off to do what she wanted….um, where do you get the money to support yourself? Where do all of these artists in South Carolina get money? See, I guess I’m just too cynical for romance!
All that said, I still liked the book, especially the line, “Plan B for southerners is always to return home.” That is so true. Love that. So, if you are a romance fan, read this!
April 20, 2024
This poignant new novel by the Under the Tuscan Sun author beautifully reveals the complexities of love and marriage. Highly recommended!
June 18, 2024
Dara Willcox and Austin Clarke are, at first glance, the perfect pedigree couple. A meet cute at an art gallery, a romance set against the buzzing backdrop of New York, a wedding for the ages in the works; nothing seems like it could possibly upend the young couple's future.
Until suddenly something unexpected and simultaneously cliche does. Without much of a second thought, Dara cancels the wedding and flees to California to soul search amongst friends and along the Coastal Highway. Left reeling from the broken engagement, Austin is left to grapple with the pieces of his life and the single choice that led him there. And amongst it all, the couple's families--generations deep--reflect on the fundamental question that most of us ponder at some point or another: what is it that makes a great marriage? A true love?
Without a doubt one of my most anticipated reads of the year, "A Great Marriage" boasts both a beautiful cover and the author that brought us "Under the Tuscan Sun" many years ago. While not the most unique premise for literary fiction, I was intrigued by Dara and Austin's story enough to dive in, but found myself slugging through the barely-over-300 pages of "A Great Marriage" with disinterest at best. Both convoluted and riddled with laughably out-of-touch, stiff, and conceited characters, I found "A Great Marriage" as much a strange read as a shallow one. With choppy, disjointed chapters and dialogue that never quite reached plausible for me, this isn't a novel I'd recommend despite Mayes' impressive track record.
*Many thanks to NetGalley & Random House for my advanced review copy of this title*
Until suddenly something unexpected and simultaneously cliche does. Without much of a second thought, Dara cancels the wedding and flees to California to soul search amongst friends and along the Coastal Highway. Left reeling from the broken engagement, Austin is left to grapple with the pieces of his life and the single choice that led him there. And amongst it all, the couple's families--generations deep--reflect on the fundamental question that most of us ponder at some point or another: what is it that makes a great marriage? A true love?
Without a doubt one of my most anticipated reads of the year, "A Great Marriage" boasts both a beautiful cover and the author that brought us "Under the Tuscan Sun" many years ago. While not the most unique premise for literary fiction, I was intrigued by Dara and Austin's story enough to dive in, but found myself slugging through the barely-over-300 pages of "A Great Marriage" with disinterest at best. Both convoluted and riddled with laughably out-of-touch, stiff, and conceited characters, I found "A Great Marriage" as much a strange read as a shallow one. With choppy, disjointed chapters and dialogue that never quite reached plausible for me, this isn't a novel I'd recommend despite Mayes' impressive track record.
*Many thanks to NetGalley & Random House for my advanced review copy of this title*
May 13, 2024
This is the first work of fiction I've read by Frances Mayes. I loved her books about her experiences in Italy. This too might be a good book to take on vacation. This is a light read, a romance mixed with some philosophical musings about marriage and relationships (most marriages fail through a lack of imagination). Other than the quirky, rich, writer, psychologist grandmother, I never got attached to the characters. Maybe I'm jaded, but I find it hard to muster too much empathy for a group who is so privileged, so attractive and without personal conflict. There is a blow up at the beginning of the book that sets the scene for drama and potential heartbreak. With all of the scene shifts and plot twists for the right reader the book provides a satisfying escape.
Thanks to Netgalley for providing an Arc of this book.
Thanks to Netgalley for providing an Arc of this book.
September 11, 2024
“What did I think of this book?” asks Goodreads.
It was so very disappointing.
Dara ( from South Carolina) and Austin ( from London) fall in love quickly and plan to be married after only a few months of dating. In their twenties, Austin is working long hours as an architect on assignment in NYC and Dara is planning on law school while researching a book on her late step-grandfather. Shortly before their wedding Austin learns that a drunken and unremembered one night stand months before has resulted in a pregnancy. Dara cancels the wedding and Austin returns to London and becomes a single father. The mother dies in childbirth. The melodrama is just tedious and adolescent.
Mayes’ writing style in this novel was distracting. Most of the sentences are fragmented and incomplete. There is a huge cast of characters and the narrative constantly pivots to each one’s point of view. The novel would have been better with fewer characters who were more deeply drawn.
Dara is a quite unlikeable and self-absorbed young woman who wants a marriage like the one her parents have. Her English professor mother is constantly quoting lines from writers like Yeats and Beckett and her journalist father travels the world reporting on oil spills, politics etc. The eccentric grandmother is a successful psychologist who has written best selling books on relationships. I guess that is where the title comes from? For some reason this all takes place between April and December of 1995. Some chapters have the date on them. Others do not. I don’t get it. Why are there references to OJ and Gingrich? It is extraneous and unnecessary to the unorganized plot.
There are several chapters spent on the summer renovation of an Inn with pages describing paint colors, fabric, wallpaper choices…as Dara tries to refocus her life. Too much.
Many of the characters have lost a parent, by death or abandonment, and clearly that was intentional by the author, but nothing connects and it doesn’t add a thing to the story.
I so loved Mayes “Under the Tuscan Sun” and looked forward to reading this new novel all summer. The ending was so Hallmark movie and Harlequin romance I felt totally let down. Not recommended.
It was so very disappointing.
Dara ( from South Carolina) and Austin ( from London) fall in love quickly and plan to be married after only a few months of dating. In their twenties, Austin is working long hours as an architect on assignment in NYC and Dara is planning on law school while researching a book on her late step-grandfather. Shortly before their wedding Austin learns that a drunken and unremembered one night stand months before has resulted in a pregnancy. Dara cancels the wedding and Austin returns to London and becomes a single father. The mother dies in childbirth. The melodrama is just tedious and adolescent.
Mayes’ writing style in this novel was distracting. Most of the sentences are fragmented and incomplete. There is a huge cast of characters and the narrative constantly pivots to each one’s point of view. The novel would have been better with fewer characters who were more deeply drawn.
Dara is a quite unlikeable and self-absorbed young woman who wants a marriage like the one her parents have. Her English professor mother is constantly quoting lines from writers like Yeats and Beckett and her journalist father travels the world reporting on oil spills, politics etc. The eccentric grandmother is a successful psychologist who has written best selling books on relationships. I guess that is where the title comes from? For some reason this all takes place between April and December of 1995. Some chapters have the date on them. Others do not. I don’t get it. Why are there references to OJ and Gingrich? It is extraneous and unnecessary to the unorganized plot.
There are several chapters spent on the summer renovation of an Inn with pages describing paint colors, fabric, wallpaper choices…as Dara tries to refocus her life. Too much.
Many of the characters have lost a parent, by death or abandonment, and clearly that was intentional by the author, but nothing connects and it doesn’t add a thing to the story.
I so loved Mayes “Under the Tuscan Sun” and looked forward to reading this new novel all summer. The ending was so Hallmark movie and Harlequin romance I felt totally let down. Not recommended.
May 14, 2024
Frances Mayes' A Perfect Marriage presents a tale of love, loss, and the complexities of relationships against the backdrop of well-to-do families and their seemingly perfect lives. The story follows Dara Willcox and Austin Clarke, two individuals whose whirlwind romance is abruptly halted by unforeseen circumstances, leaving their families grappling with the aftermath.
While the premise holds promise, the execution falls short. The characters, despite their privileged backgrounds, struggle to resonate on a deeper level. Their wealth and lack of substantial challenges make it difficult to connect with their experiences. Additionally, the sporadic shifts in perspective and the narrative style hinder immersion in the story, preventing a fully engaging reading experience.
Despite these shortcomings, Mayes' narrative does offer moments of introspection and exploration into the intricacies of marriage and family dynamics. The author's warmth and humor are evident throughout, creating a sense of familiarity despite the detachment from the characters.
Ultimately, A Perfect Marriage may appeal more to readers who enjoy exploring the nuances of relationships within affluent circles. However, for those seeking deeper emotional resonance and relatable characters, this novel may fall short of expectations. While not without merit, this particular work is not for me.
While the premise holds promise, the execution falls short. The characters, despite their privileged backgrounds, struggle to resonate on a deeper level. Their wealth and lack of substantial challenges make it difficult to connect with their experiences. Additionally, the sporadic shifts in perspective and the narrative style hinder immersion in the story, preventing a fully engaging reading experience.
Despite these shortcomings, Mayes' narrative does offer moments of introspection and exploration into the intricacies of marriage and family dynamics. The author's warmth and humor are evident throughout, creating a sense of familiarity despite the detachment from the characters.
Ultimately, A Perfect Marriage may appeal more to readers who enjoy exploring the nuances of relationships within affluent circles. However, for those seeking deeper emotional resonance and relatable characters, this novel may fall short of expectations. While not without merit, this particular work is not for me.
August 30, 2024
Really 3.5
This novel centers around a couple as they put the finishing touches on their wedding plans. When something happens to derail the wedding, we learn about what happened and about the couple's family and friends from multiple viewpoints.
This would make a great book club pick because there's a lot to talk about in terms of family, friends, and relationships--especially marriages. Other themes are parenthood, forgiveness, acceptance, making the best of circumstances, and what makes a family.
While this isn't the best book I've read this year, I was very interested in the characters and their fates and can recommend the book.
The audiobook is performed by 10 voice actors. There were no weak links here. Karissa Vacker, Cassandra Campbell, and Carrington McDuffie took the parts of the three principal women and carried the novel quite well.
Thanks to the publishers for review copies in various formats.
This novel centers around a couple as they put the finishing touches on their wedding plans. When something happens to derail the wedding, we learn about what happened and about the couple's family and friends from multiple viewpoints.
This would make a great book club pick because there's a lot to talk about in terms of family, friends, and relationships--especially marriages. Other themes are parenthood, forgiveness, acceptance, making the best of circumstances, and what makes a family.
While this isn't the best book I've read this year, I was very interested in the characters and their fates and can recommend the book.
The audiobook is performed by 10 voice actors. There were no weak links here. Karissa Vacker, Cassandra Campbell, and Carrington McDuffie took the parts of the three principal women and carried the novel quite well.
Thanks to the publishers for review copies in various formats.
July 14, 2024
3.5 stars rounded up. A well written story, mostly about a couple who’s wedding is canceled for an obscure reason. Their families rally around them, support their respective situations, and the end is all tied up into a neat package. However, there is a deeper plot, where actually the “Great Marriage” is most likely about one set of parents. Also, other relationships are described which could be stand-ins for “great marriages.” Despite this deeper message, I felt it was soap-opera-y and didn’t really enjoy it.
May 15, 2024
A Great Marriage was the first book I've read by Frances Mayes, so I wasn't sure what to expect. This is the story of Dara Wilcox and Austin Wilcox who meet and fall deeply in love. The book opens with a prenuptial dinner at her parents' house, and it's all perfect until some wine is spilled. Several family members see this as a possible bad omen, and it turns out to be just that. Austin receives distressing news that disrupts their plans and the wedding is canceled. Dara flees to California to visit with friends, then heads to South Carolina to help restore an inn. There are moments of angst and some drama, but it reminded me of a Hallmark movie in book form. My mother-in-law used to love to read books with very mild dramatics (where nobody suffered from serious illness or died) and the ending was all tied up neatly with a big bow. This book made me think of her as she would have loved it.
I found the author's writing style difficult to read. She used a lot of sentence fragments and once I started noticing them, I had difficulty concentrating on what she was saying and found myself paying attention to how she had written it. But if you like your books to be mainly romantic escapes where nobody really suffers and characters live happily ever after, this one may bring you enjoyment. (And as a bonus, it has an arresting and interesting cover!)
Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for providing me with a copy of this book. It will be published on August 13, 2024.
I found the author's writing style difficult to read. She used a lot of sentence fragments and once I started noticing them, I had difficulty concentrating on what she was saying and found myself paying attention to how she had written it. But if you like your books to be mainly romantic escapes where nobody really suffers and characters live happily ever after, this one may bring you enjoyment. (And as a bonus, it has an arresting and interesting cover!)
Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for providing me with a copy of this book. It will be published on August 13, 2024.
August 2, 2024
I received a free copy of, A Great Marriage, by Frances Mayes, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Dara Willcox meets Brit Austin Clarke, and its love at first sight, they start planning a wedding, but end up canceling the wedding, with Austin back in London, and Dara in North Carolina. This was not an easy book to read at all, I did not enjoy it. The book started off very confusing and did not really get any better.
June 11, 2024
A couple splits before getting married when the man finds out the woman he had an affair with is pregnant, and she is ill.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 4, 2024
This novel is a slow burn romance between Austin and Dara. It is my first book by this author, best known for her memoir Under the Tuscan Sun. It took me extra time to become invested in the various characters, but ultimately I wanted to find out how their stories ended. I didn’t enjoy the third person narrative as I wasn’t able to get clear insight into any of the characters. I also had trouble identifying with Dara who presents as young and immature, initially running from Austin’s moral dilemma instead of working through their issues. My favorite character was Dara’s grandmother, Charlotte, who is sassy and also offered wise marriage advice. I would recommend this novel to readers who enjoy dramatic romances with a happily ever after. 3/5⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own. Available 8/13/24
Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own. Available 8/13/24
August 21, 2024
First off, this cover is weird and doesn't really go with the story. If I'm judging a book by its cover I would probably skip over this one.
Now to the book. This seemed to be a hot mess of a story starting out. I was confused by the story and the changing perspectives. The writing was a mess as in one sentence the POV seemed to change. This almost made me DNF the book. I don't like to be so confused that I need to go back and reread sentences over again. However, the writing cleared up the more I read and the story was actually pretty good. It was more than I expected from the rocky beginning.
Without including spoilers I will say I thought some of the storyline was a bit farfetched and could have been reined in a little.
This book reminded me of romances I read back in the day and I enjoyed the nostalgic aspect of it.
All in all this was a decent read. 3.25 stars.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion which I have given.
Now to the book. This seemed to be a hot mess of a story starting out. I was confused by the story and the changing perspectives. The writing was a mess as in one sentence the POV seemed to change. This almost made me DNF the book. I don't like to be so confused that I need to go back and reread sentences over again. However, the writing cleared up the more I read and the story was actually pretty good. It was more than I expected from the rocky beginning.
Without including spoilers I will say I thought some of the storyline was a bit farfetched and could have been reined in a little.
This book reminded me of romances I read back in the day and I enjoyed the nostalgic aspect of it.
All in all this was a decent read. 3.25 stars.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion which I have given.
June 12, 2024
A Great Marriage by Frances Mayes is exactly about that, what makes a great marriage. Dara and Austin are in love and plan to be married. Dara’s parents have an exceptionally great marriage and that is exactly what Dara is hoping for and feels that she is getting, until a wrench is thrown into the picture. On the night of their engagement dinner, Austin reveals to Dara something unexpected that sends her world spinning.
Dara cancels the wedding and does not tell anyone why. She leaves for California then South Carolina to try and put her life back together. Austin returns to London which is where he is from and where this devastating event took place.
Dara’s mother has a major accident while vacationing in London and has surgery there. She needs to stay there a while to recuperate. Dara goes over for her mother, winds up connecting with Austin, understands and accepts his problem, and winds up marrying him.
I enjoyed this romance novel after getting over and ignoring what I felt was a problem. For me there was way too much description of everything. I felt it took away from the story and had me skipping over much of it. Perhaps there might not have been enough there if not for the descriptions.
I would like to thank Net Galley for giving me the opportunity to read this advanced copy.
Dara cancels the wedding and does not tell anyone why. She leaves for California then South Carolina to try and put her life back together. Austin returns to London which is where he is from and where this devastating event took place.
Dara’s mother has a major accident while vacationing in London and has surgery there. She needs to stay there a while to recuperate. Dara goes over for her mother, winds up connecting with Austin, understands and accepts his problem, and winds up marrying him.
I enjoyed this romance novel after getting over and ignoring what I felt was a problem. For me there was way too much description of everything. I felt it took away from the story and had me skipping over much of it. Perhaps there might not have been enough there if not for the descriptions.
I would like to thank Net Galley for giving me the opportunity to read this advanced copy.
September 15, 2024
As a longtime fan of Frances Mayes, I looked forward to reading “A Perfect Marriage” via an ARC provided by NetGalley. The story follows Dara Wilcox and her fiancee Austin Clarke, whose wedding is called off due to a surprise happening in Austin’s former life in London. The book then explores how they both pick up the pieces, and figure out how to move forward with their lives.
Dara escapes to California to recoup with friends as Austin leaves for London. Meanwhile, Dara feels small in comparison to her accomplished parents and grandmother, who themselves have lived and loved within great marriages and privilege. I appreciated the multi-generational character depictions here: with multiple points of view, we get the sense of complex familial dynamics at work, even if the book carried low stakes. In comparison , Mayes previous novel “Women in Sunlight” pulls off its promise much more effectively.
Dara escapes to California to recoup with friends as Austin leaves for London. Meanwhile, Dara feels small in comparison to her accomplished parents and grandmother, who themselves have lived and loved within great marriages and privilege. I appreciated the multi-generational character depictions here: with multiple points of view, we get the sense of complex familial dynamics at work, even if the book carried low stakes. In comparison , Mayes previous novel “Women in Sunlight” pulls off its promise much more effectively.
June 20, 2024
Sadly I had to DNF this about halfway through. This book was incredibly choppy, and I found it jumping between subjects, which left me reeling and unsure of how we got there. It's difficult to know what POV each chapter is in, and consistently jumps between 1st and 3rd person, which took me out of the book constantly. Far too many sentences that consisted of 2-4 words. Not that I was easily able to get into it in the first place, as much of the dialogue was unbelievable and far fetched. What father is describing his future son in law's lips and hands as "sculptural?" The way these characters spoke to each other was two-dimensional and felt like a hastily written Lifetime movie.
Thank you to NetGalley, Ballantine Books, and Random House for giving me an advanced reader copy from in exchange for an honest review!
Thank you to NetGalley, Ballantine Books, and Random House for giving me an advanced reader copy from in exchange for an honest review!
August 22, 2024
Thank you Random House #partner for my #gifted finished copy and thank you PRH Audio for my #gifted listening copy of A Great Marriage! #PRHAInfluencer #PRHAudioPartner #randomhouse #ballantinebooks #AGreatMarriage
𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: 𝐀 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐠𝐞
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐬
𝐍𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬: 𝐒𝐢𝐝 𝐒𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐫, 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐭, 𝐂𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐫𝐚 𝐂𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐥, 𝐄𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐬, 𝐆𝐞𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐧, 𝐃𝐚𝐧 𝐁𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫, 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐜𝐃𝐮𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐞, 𝐊𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐚 𝐕𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐫, 𝐗𝐞 𝐒𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬, 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐞 𝐐. 𝐑𝐢𝐞𝐠𝐞𝐥
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐀𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝟏𝟑, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒
While this is not a book I would typically pick up on my own, I am really glad I read this one. I found this book to be so thought-provoking and loved how it focused on relationships, love, and family. I love how this truly showed the complexities of love and marriage and I found Dara and Austin’s story to be realistic. Without giving anything away, I thought the author did a great job portraying how to not just make relationships work, but how to take it one step further and make them great. This could definitely make a great book club pick, though I feel like this book would resonate best with more mature readers.
🎧I did an immersive read with the audiobook, which I found really helpful for me. There were a lot of narrators and I found pairing the text with the audio helped me to better follow along with each voice. This book featured a full cast of amazing narrators and I felt like they were all perfectly casts! I highly recommend the audio for this one. If you are like me, it might be helpful to pair the book along with the audio!
𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: 𝐀 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐠𝐞
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐬
𝐍𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬: 𝐒𝐢𝐝 𝐒𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐫, 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐭, 𝐂𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐫𝐚 𝐂𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐥, 𝐄𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐬, 𝐆𝐞𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐧, 𝐃𝐚𝐧 𝐁𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫, 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐜𝐃𝐮𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐞, 𝐊𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐚 𝐕𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐫, 𝐗𝐞 𝐒𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬, 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐞 𝐐. 𝐑𝐢𝐞𝐠𝐞𝐥
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐀𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝟏𝟑, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒
While this is not a book I would typically pick up on my own, I am really glad I read this one. I found this book to be so thought-provoking and loved how it focused on relationships, love, and family. I love how this truly showed the complexities of love and marriage and I found Dara and Austin’s story to be realistic. Without giving anything away, I thought the author did a great job portraying how to not just make relationships work, but how to take it one step further and make them great. This could definitely make a great book club pick, though I feel like this book would resonate best with more mature readers.
🎧I did an immersive read with the audiobook, which I found really helpful for me. There were a lot of narrators and I found pairing the text with the audio helped me to better follow along with each voice. This book featured a full cast of amazing narrators and I felt like they were all perfectly casts! I highly recommend the audio for this one. If you are like me, it might be helpful to pair the book along with the audio!
May 11, 2024
Four stars for a book filled with lush descriptions, beautiful (successful) people, and a “tied with a bow” ending. However…
It took me a while to get into the rhythm of the writing style. There are lots of characters, some of them are referred to with more than one name, they all take turns speaking (sometime first person, sometimes third person) and much of it is almost stream of consciousness. With each new chapter, you have to read several lines before you know which person is taking their turn.
Once into the manner/rhythm of the writing, I thoroughly enjoyed the story and the descriptions of the various areas in which the story takes place.
I’ve seen several other reviews that say this story is probably good for older female readers, or a grandmother. I fit both those descriptions, so perhaps that’s true.
Thanks to Net Galley and the Publisher for the ARC. Opinions are my own.
It took me a while to get into the rhythm of the writing style. There are lots of characters, some of them are referred to with more than one name, they all take turns speaking (sometime first person, sometimes third person) and much of it is almost stream of consciousness. With each new chapter, you have to read several lines before you know which person is taking their turn.
Once into the manner/rhythm of the writing, I thoroughly enjoyed the story and the descriptions of the various areas in which the story takes place.
I’ve seen several other reviews that say this story is probably good for older female readers, or a grandmother. I fit both those descriptions, so perhaps that’s true.
Thanks to Net Galley and the Publisher for the ARC. Opinions are my own.
September 10, 2024
The story was wonderful, but I had a hell of a time reading this because the author transitions from the point of view of one character to another within not just a chapter but within a page without any way of knowing who is the new voice until you have read several sentences. It was a chore reading this instead of being a pleasant experience.
May 6, 2024
This romantic tale centers on Dara and Austin, who appear to be the ideal couple on the brink of marriage. But as their wedding day draws near, unexpected events compel Dara to cancel the celebration, throwing both their relationship and their optimistic families into chaos. Now separated and in different places, the question remains: will Dara and Austin repair their bond, or is this the conclusion of their love story?
May 26, 2024
Dara us swept off her feet when she meets Austin. Their lives are going in different directions, which they are trying to make work. Dara makes sone decisions in her life that she does not speak of. I treasured this book.
July 25, 2024
Thank you, Goodreads, and the author for this ARC. Interesting story, also hard to follow at times.
3 stars
Stacey Bankey
3 stars
Stacey Bankey
August 27, 2024
Good story of forgiveness.
September 5, 2024
A Great Marriage
I loved this book so much! It is a love story, but it is a story of love, family, friendships, hurt, and healing. It made me happy to read it.
I loved this book so much! It is a love story, but it is a story of love, family, friendships, hurt, and healing. It made me happy to read it.
September 16, 2024
I was looking forward to reading another charming novel by Frances Mayes. This wasn’t it. I quit about half way through .
September 5, 2024
Overwritten & boring! I wanted to like this book. I love stories about marriages & family dynamics but this book fell flat in every aspect. Also it lost its way as it gave pov’s to more outside characters. I just think it could of been better & instead it was a whole lot of nothing.
September 6, 2024
2.5 rating. It was hard to get into this book, especially with its choppy chapters. I didn’t feel engaged with this book. It’s a good story, but I’m not sure if it had the best format of writing. The ending was sweet.
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