Hissy Fit: A Novel

I loved reading about all the antiques and fixing up an old house plus the romantic interest. It was a book that I couldn't put down!

I read Hissy Fit when it first came out and found it hilarious. All the humor makes up for the serious moments. And that's because of Ms Andrew's writing. She knows how to lighten a mood or bring in the tension at just the right moments.The book is extra-special now because it was the last book a friend of mine read before she passed away from Covid complications. She had asked me for a funny book that was something she could start and stop...I knew this was exactly what she needed. It made her laugh and brought her joy. I cried a bit as I read thinking about my friend and the connections and feelings that readers add, layering and weaving the authors works within their lives. Such a simple book is made powerful from those experiences.

I love all of Mary Kay’s books but this one is super special. I love how wove this story together. Her characters are people you really want to know in real life. Great plot, great love stories, and a great setting! A good read!

As a woman born and raised in the South, I can tell you that I have seen (and had) a few hissy fits in my day. That said, I’ve never seen the like of the one pitched by our heroine, Keeley Rae Murdock. It was so over the top that it left “funny” behind and moved straight to uncomfortably obnoxious. In fact, I wasn’t sure I’d be able to finish this book as I was seriously put off by it. My Grandmother would have said that her behavior was less righteous indignation and more “showing her ass and a lady never shows her ass.”The good news is that I did continue to read and was pleased when the story evolved into one that was well paced, engaging and satisfying. Once we got past the “he done her wrong” part of the story, we were left with a woman trying to recoup from deep hurt and disappointment over her fiancé’s perfidy as well as a deeply affecting missing persons mystery. I was honestly surprised at how good the story became in the last 50% or so.The story captures Southern cultural sensibilities and norms. The “kudzu telegraph,” the speech patterns, and the described relationships all resonate with anyone who knows the South with all of its charms as well as it’s unpleasantness. I have met some version of all the major characters at one time or another.Bottom line: Apart from the aforementioned hissy fit and a couple of other juvenile pranks, this is a fun read. I would have preferred a slightly more sophisticated heroine and a little less detail on the shopping expeditions, wallpaper, paint and furniture placement discussions and considerations. Also, the initially anticipated HEA was quite honestly in doubt throughout most of the story but when it finally occurred, it managed to feel rushed and a bit out-of-the blue..

MKA hits another home run with "HISSY FIT" and knocks it right out of the ballpark. As usual her characters are believable and very charming, even the uppity Miss Stephanie, the filthy rich Will, the car dealer and loving dad Wade, the flamboyant gay neighbor and best friend Austin and of course Keely herself, sweet as southern iced tea, plus a few other characters who almost ooze with southern charm. Just when you think that you can predict what will happen next, THWACK! You're hit with an unexpected but delightful twist.MKA's Word-smithing Is so skillful that mwhen she describes a warm southern evening, you can almost hear the mosquitoes buzzing around and feel them stinging your arms. This book is a fast read and like her other books, is not one that you will want to miss. Enjoy!

There is more shopping in this book than romance. Keeley is an interior decorated who catches her fiancé ' AJ' screwing her best friend minutes before her wedding. She throws a complete hissy fit, hence the title. While she is running away she meets Will. He just bought the towns run down bra factory. He asks Keeley to redecorate an old run down mansion that he he wants to fix up for the purpose of getting a woman ' who he has never formally met' to marry him. Will thinks this great mansion will get this woman to marry him and stay in this small town living happily ever after. I found this ridiculous.Flowing throughout this story we learn that Keeley 's mother ran away when Keeley was young with a man whom she was having an affair with. All through the book she is trying to find out where her mother is.The problem for me is that the book seemed all over the place, there was the revival of the bra factory, her mothers disappearance, her shopping sprees for the mansion that went on and on, Will wooing the woman he wanted. In all of this you hardly feel any great relationship forming between Keeley and Will. They kiss once in the beginning and then don't get together until the last 3 pages or so of the book.The book focuses the most on the shopping and Keeley's mother disappearing. The shopping is way to detailed and long. The mothers disappearance is interesting but predictable. I did like her writing style but the flow just wasn't there for me. And when we find out what happen to the mother nobody is ever held responsible. I found this ridiculous too. Not that after 25 years the law couldn't prosecute but that Keeley and her father didn't even try to get the police to investigate. Just wrapped it all up with no satisfaction.Over all worth the read but not as a romance. Not a page turner. But I'll give this author another try.

I am not a person that will re-read a book. Usually once is enough for me but MKA’s books are to die for so I’m reading this one again and I might just run through all of MKA’s books again. I love her that much.

I live near Madison, so I especially enjoyed the setting. Being a Southern girl I know exactly what a hissy fit is. I enjoyed the characters, many of whom felt familiar and authentic. Ms. Andrews made me cry and laugh out loud. I just enjoyed the read and couldn’t put it down.

Mary Kay Andrews is a new author for me and so far I am really enjoying her books. I like to read the lighter stuff in bed and I also like the stories to have enough content and plot to engage my brain.This author's writing seems to fit the bill for me, certainly in the three of her books I have read so far.All her characters live in the deep south of America and her main female characters are totally into old houses and secondhand furniture, the kind you find in "estate sales", markets, second-hand shops and salvage yards.In this book Keeley the main character is an Interior designer, who discovers her fiance deep into her bestfriend in a cupboard at the rehearsal dinner. That's when the "hissy fit" takes place.There will be no wedding. Keeley picks her life back up with a lot of good honest hard work and some help from her gay best friend.Although the book seems typical chick-lit land at first the story does go deeper and I found it a satisfying and enjoyable read that I would definitely recommend.

Great novel, clever author, how wonderful it is to get lost in a book you really enjoy, it is sad when you get to theend. Luckily this author has written others like this one, which will keep me happy for ages yet to come. Thank youMary Kay Andrews you are a great find.

Terrible weak story line predictable and not well written

I've read other Mary K. Andrews books that were more entertaining. However, if you are into interior design (which I'm not) then you will enjoy this book.

A fun read, perfect for reading on the dock!