Little Bitty Lies by Mary Kay Andrews

Little Bitty Lies Reviews

• 
  Dallas Strawn

  I’ve been delving into Mary Kay Andrews back list books slowly but surely the last couple years and I’m about to binge a few this month....
  
  I definitely enjoyed this one! It was very funny; full of that trademark southern charm and wise cracking dialogue we’ve come to expect from early MKA. I also enjoyed the plot; touched on themes of marriage and divorce, the mother-daughter dynamic, and the bonds of female friendship....it had a bit of a mystery element about what happens when one little housewife tells a lie and it starts spinning into a whole web....
  
  3.5 ⭐️
• 
  Dianne

  4.5 stars-"It Was the Summer From Hell"
  
  Little Bitty Lies by Mary Kay Andrews
  
  This sometimes confusing, sort of depressing, yet at the same time, funny and poignant novel is written by the mystery writer Kathy Trocheck aka Mary Kay Andrews. Moreover, it sure looks like the transition to a slightly different style of mystery combined with female literature seems to have been made successfully! I have not read any of the mystery series, but if they are half as good as the writing in this novel, I should be pleased.
  
  Yes, the writing was wonderful; the characters are fully fleshed out and believable. You will sometimes love and sympathize with Mary Bliss and Katherine and sometimes you want to smack them silly and hope that they end up in jail. Fortunately, while we only know of Parker, Mary Bliss’s sort of dearly departed husband, via her memories and his actions as told to us by the women and what they learn while snooping ---he is a cad, a rake, a scoundrel, and a major thief. He really isn’t a nice guy, and death would be too easy for the likes of him.
  
  Then again, Mary Bliss and Katharine are perpetuating a fraud…or are they?
  
  There are so many characters that we could really hate, but Ms Andrews writes in such a talented way that even the most hateful of people are written so well that at times we can feel empathy for them. Well maybe except for Parker!
  This is an excellent little novel about what is most important to us. And what another person can do to us to bring us to our knees if we let them. This story shows that even someone who thinks they can’t do something-really can with the right motivations and the love of good friends behind us.
  
  This is small southern community at its best and it is a very satisfying read with a Happily-Ever-After, that I wasn’t sure was ever going to happen. I love books that keep you guessing!
  Be aware there is a recipe for her fabulous chicken salad at the end of the Kindle edition!
• 
  Karen

  2.5 stars . Parts I enjoyed but the main character was a push over, she had a horrible daughter and mother in law but catered to them. The best character was her best friend Katherine. The premise of the book sounded so fun but in the end it just didn't work. All the characters commented on how tough and strong Mary Bliss was but I just didn't get behind her as the heroine in the story.
• 
  Whitney

  This may sound a little snobbish but as a general rule I don't read novels that have a cartoonish drawing on the cover; I typically take that as a warning sign for being a trashy novel. Please don't ask why I picked it up.
  
  Little Bitty Lies by Mary Kay Andrews centers around Mary Bliss McGowan whose husband has left her and their 17 year old daughter Erin, leaving her only with the kitchen sink. Parker McGowan has run into some business trouble and cleans out all of his family's assets i.e. checking and savings, IRA, Erin's tuition, and a second mortgage, literally everything, leaving his girls broke. I never really got why he would do this, especially to Erin who is supposedly a "Daddy's Girl". Desperate acts call for desperate measures as they say and so Mary Bliss and her BFF fly to Mexico in order to stage her husband's death in order to collect his life insurance policy.
  
  This was a mindless read, but after the two friends are caught red-handed the book takes a turn for the worst, the storyline gets a little to bizarre and too many things are thrown into the mix, havoc with the daughter, a midlife crises/love affair for Mary Bliss and their so called "fool proof" plan coming to bite them in the ass. I guess the best way to describe Little Bitty Lies by Mary Kay Andrews is to compare it to a train wreck, it's a horrible thing but you can't avert your eyes from it.
• 
  Ian

  After her husband empties their bank accounts and abandons her, Mary Bliss tells a small lie to avoid the humiliation. Desperate and penniless she hatches a plan to fake her husbands death and claim on a life insurance policy. But her lies are coming undone almost as fast as she tells them.
  
  The author leaves so many things in this book unfinished. It's almost as if she got bored with the book and decided to wrap it up half-way through.
  
  The premise is interesting, the characters are likeable and there are definitely some good moments, but it never quite gets out of first gear and she really needs to finish what she begins.
• 
  Jennifer Spearman

  Normally, I love Mary Kay Andrews books, but this one just did not keep my interest. I did not like the characters and the plot was just too awkward. I am all for a little exaggeration to have a good story, but I could not side with the main character at all. Certainly, I felt for her, but her choices were ridiculous and immoral. It is hard to get into a story when you do not side with the protagonist.
• 
  Christopher Hicks

  This was a really fun quick read, it had several interesting plot twists and a great ending. I’ll definitely read more from this author
• 
  Linda

  This was a good story. Not quite as lighthearted and funny as some of her other books but a crazy story.
• 
  Antof9

  What an odd book! First, I thought it was going to be chick lit, but it wasn't. It more like Chick Limystery. Or something :)
  
  It was very light and fluffy, and some of the characters (Katherine, especially) were over the top. I did like Mary Bliss, though, and her adventures in taking care of herself were both upsetting and entertaining.
  
  I found it odd that some things were very "Southern" (capital S), and other things seemed to miss the boat. For example, the first time Erin used a swear word in front of her mother, I expected Mary Bliss to say something like "we don't use that kind of language, young lady." Didn't happen. Of course there were lots of sweet tea references, and casseroles (odd, I thought that more midwest, but the descriptions certainly fit).
  
  I really thought the whole chicken salad thing was going to go somewhere else. In thinking back on it, I think the author did, too, and am not sure why she didn't follow through with it. Oh well :) (I'm copying the recipe before I send this off)
  
  Erin sure did play the only child role well, and I kind of felt sorry for the family across the street. Of course, the Matt character was fun, in a suspicious kind of way, as to be expected.
  
  This was an enjoyable, lite read, and once I got to about the halfway mark, I didn't want to put it down!
• 
  Cathie

  The writing itself was good and easy as is typical of Mary Kay Andrews. However, I didn't like these people AT ALL - well, except Charlie.Mary Bliss is at best a helpless, clueless type and at worst a criminal. I mean...insurance fraud is not ok and it is definitely not funny. (yes, I work in insurance.)
  
  Katherine is a drunk only capable of rushing through all of her (ex)husband's money and giving crazy advice, and the daughter...well the daughter is a horribly spoiled brat.
  
  And Matt? Did anyone believe him? He is this supposedly hunky, financially stable if not better, genious criminal expert and he can't find anyone else in Atlanta to fall for except a clueless criminal?
  
  The ending was good due to Eula. The one character that actually seemed to "get it" by the end of the book. At least she was always who she was, and you could trust her. As for Mary Bliss and Matt? I fully suspect that Matt will run off on Mary Bliss and dupe her again. I mean, it's all a bunch of itty bitty lies, no?
• 
  Lori Anaple

  If you like chic lit, you will like this. It is a fun rompy ride, nothing too heavy and characters that are relatable while being completely over the top.
  
  Mary Bliss finds out that her husband left her via a note he left in the closet. He cleaned out all of their accounts and remortgaged their house and left her penniless. He did pay up his cantankerous mother's nursing home bill and she does know where he is, but she is not saying.
  
  So, with her best friend and partner in crime, Mary Bliss sets out to declare her husband dead. It is ridiculous. It is over the top. It is funny.
  
  Katherine (the best friend) and Charlie crack me up. I love love love Katherine.
  
  Of course there are problems. Erin (the daughter) is a pain in the ASS. In fact, while I see the need for this sort of complication in the story, her entire subplot can just be thrown out. I don't find much likeable about this character at all.
  
  Basically, this book takes a wife's worst nightmare and combines it with her best revenge fantasy.
  
• 
  Cheryl

  Another Terrible Book Club book. THIS BOOK IS AWFUL. The plot is awful. There are so many holes. The characters are awful. I didn't like any one of them. And there was no connection between any of them. On top of this, I found a lot of the attitudes in the book - which were so prevalent that I think they came directly from the author and were NOT written to intentionally make these characters unlikeable - offensive and infuriating.
• 
  Barbara Powell

  One horrible summer. A great best friend. Pitiful excuse for a husband. Put it all together and it makes an easy, sometimes funny read. I will definitely read more from this author whenever I need a quick, not too deep read :)
• 
  Alison

  I had been looking forward to this read since I had loved Hissy Fit also written by Andrews. But this book fell very flat in my eyes with some of the most awkward cringe worthy literary moments. In addition to just being an uncomfortable read, I pretty much hated every character this book had to offer. If you weren't spiteful and bratty, you were weak and passive. This book reminded me of the movie Hope Floats, such a great warning of those who want kids as to what can easily be your awful awful future. But a horrible movie and an equally horrible book.
• 
  Randy

  much more fun than i'd hoped for. it was different than other chick lit i've read -- in a good way -- and kind of reminded me of Ladder of Years by Anne Tyler. atlanta is as much a character in this book as NYC is in other chick lit. there was a lot I recognize from my own experiences in the South, which was three-parts refreshing and one-part suffocating. speaking of recipes, there's one in the back for Mary Bliss' perfect chicken salad. I'll try it out sometime.
• 
  Tasha

  This is a funny, light read. Kept me laughing throughout the book. Finished it in one day. MB's best friend Katherine will keep you entertained. I didn't like the attitude of her daughter Erin, but other than that, it was a good read. Definitely would recommend picking it up if you like witty romances.
• 
  Lisa Stratton

  After reading three other books by this author and really enjoying two of them (Savannah Blues and Spring Fever), I decided to give this one a try. Don't bother picking it up. It's a stupid novel with despicable and unbelievable characters. A real disappointment from Mary Kay Andrews. I'm hoping the chicken salad recipe is a whole lot better than the writing!
• 
  Anne

  I can see why people might like books by this author, but for me this fell very short. It was a combination of very obvious "twists," weird conservative morality, and repetitive plotting. Just not for me, I guess.
• 
  Patty

  Chick lit all the way. Lots of things in this book wouldn't work for a minute, lots of humor and silly moments. Not her best work, but still enjoyable.
• 
  Vi ~ Inkvotary

  Little Bitty Lies is a novel you can definitely tell that it was written over ten years ago. The way how Mary Bliss is thinking and acting, her moral and how she lives, tell you everything. And still, she is a gorgeous character. Sometimes I had the feeling that this is more a crime novel than a normal novel. But in the end, it was wonderful entertainment and gave me a great insight into the life and lifestyle of a certain time and area.
  
  Mary Bliss is shocked. Her husband´s gone with all the money they had, and she does not know how to tell their teenage daughter the truth. But most of all, what in the world is she supposed to tell her neighbors? And how can Parker do the impossible and leave her alone with everything? It takes only seconds to turn her life upside down and give her a taste of what she has to face when the truth comes out.
  
  This might not be the best novel of Mary Kay Andrews but for sure one that contains a lot of criminal energy. Written in a very perky style I had most of the time my reading pleasure. I wouldn´t call it a page-turner, but good entertainment for sure.
  
  The author gave the main figure a very sensitive tone and lets her act like a mother hen. And her best friend is saying and acting like a woman who has nothing to fear.
  
  Mary Bliss is a highly moral woman who does everything to keep her family happy and well. What the neighbors think is way more important. Going outside in her nightgown to water the plants? Impossible. Having some fun along the way while others have to stay inside or work? No way! Her life is orderly, and she knows exactly what to say, when and how. She is demure but behind closed doors, she becomes murderous, militant and wants revenge.
  
  I started feeling pity for Mary Bliss while reading the first chapters. But soon it turned into a WTF is going on with that woman? She is over thirty, but running around in a bathing suit is not appropriate? Or speaking about sex with her best friend or even her daughter is a sin? Holy heck, lady grow up, please.
  
  The plot wasn´t new to me and from time to time I had the impression, that I´ve read the story already somewhere else. But since I am not able to solve that feeling, I would say this book is nice for a sunny afternoon or time at the beach. But nothing out of the ordinary. Read it if you like and judge for yourself.
  
• 
  Della Tingle

  I love to read, and I love to believe. I can support and believe the most fantastic of fantasy, but this…it just isn’t believable. It is ridiculous and not in a good way. The characters are asinine fools. The daughter, Erin, is utterly horrid and unlikeable. She is the same age as my son, and he has never, ever, ever spoken to me or treated me the way that girl treats her mother, and nor will he ever. Now, obviously, there are some enjoyable parts in this book. I was so excited to get home from work so I could finish the last 30 pages. I looked forward to getting home and reading it all day! I just was consistently aggravated by the idiocy of the characters and their poor choices. REAL people do not behave as such, surely! If they do, I want nothing to do with them! And I want nothing else to do with this book, either.
• 
  Kayla Ruplinger

  Wow this book was full of plot twists and surprises that kept me guessing. This was such an interesting plot that at the surface seemed pretty simple but was actually more complicated as you got deeper into it. I am not sure if there is a sequel to this book but if there is I am definitely reading it!
• 
  Gail

  A fast and funny read. It is Chick lit with a lot of silly moments.
• 
  Vickie

  I liked this book after the first 150 pages. Mary Bliss McGowan's husband has not only left her with a huge mortgage repayment but emptied all the financial accounts and disappeared! So, what does Mary Bliss do? Through an elaborate plan with her BFF and neighbor Katherine, MB has Parker McGowen killed in Mexico and then files for the insurance. But wait! There is more...but you'll have to read this to find out what happens to Mary Bliss, her daughter Erin, Katherine and Charlie, and that interesting financial investigator Matt.
  
  Go Cards! L1C4!!
• 
  Cheri

  Such a crazy plot that you just have to sit back and enjoy the ride. I did enjoy it. Quite a few laughs and a few shakes of my head. On the plus side, I was very satisfied with the ending :)
• 
  Mary Elizabeth

  The novel Little Bitty Lies, by Mary Kay Andrews, tells of a woman named Mary Bliss McGowan. An average suburban mom, Mary Bliss has a perfect life. Unfortunately, it does not last for long. One warm summer’s night there is a letter left in her closet, on a junk mail envelope, saying her husband is gone for good. Her idyllic world shatters. Her husband withdraws all the money from her bank accounts and leaves her broke. The situation, she decides, calls for desperate measures. Mary Bliss and her minion Kate take a vacation to Mexico, where they stage her husband’s death. They even purchase a fake death certificate. Then, Mary Bliss files a claim for life insurance. What ensues is a mixed-up comedy that is sure to make the reader laugh aloud. Crafted to entertain, not to challenge or stimulate, this book tickles the reader’s funny bone. Mary Bliss, my favorite character, transforms from a dependent, trophy wife and school teacher to a self-reliant, confident product hostess who finds innovative ways to make ends meet. Set in the suburbs of Atlanta, an area with watering restrictions and close-knit neighbors, the author portrays the small southern town precisely. The author, whose real name is Kathy Hogan Trocheck, has lived for many years in nearby Avondale Estates and knows well the small town southern way of life. In this light hearted drama, Mary Kay Andrews describes the characters with such plausible detail they leap off the page and into the imagination and heart of the reader. A great beach read, I would recommend Little Bitty Lies for anyone who has a hankering for some good southern fun.
• 
  Sonja

  oooohhhh... this is just too bad...
  I'm sorry I picked this one for our book club to read...
  I was disappointed in the story and the characters!
  
  Mary Bliss, the main character was totally without a clue and it wasn't funny, it was just sad.
  Katherine was supposed to be her best friend and gave her some of the worst advise ever and Mary Bliss actually went along with it... I guess insurance fraud was supposed to be funny, but I just didn't get it.
  There was nothing 'Little Bitty' about her Lies! I only started to enjoy the story after the truth came out.
  Needless to say I wanted to Parker get what was coming to him! What a low life!
  
  I usually love Mary Kay Andrews' books, but this one left me feeling sad....
  
  oooohhhh... this is just too bad...
  I'm sorry I picked this one for our book club to read...
  I was disappointed in the story and the characters!
  
  Mary Bliss, the main character was totally without a clue and it wasn't funny, it was just sad.
  Katherine was supposed to be her best friend and gave her some of the worst advise ever and Mary Bliss actually went along with it... I guess insurance fraud was supposed to be funny, but I just didn't get it.
  There was nothing 'Little Bitty' about her Lies! I only started to enjoy the story after the truth came out.
  Needless to say I wanted to Parker get what was coming to him! What a low life!
  
  I usually love Mary Kay Andrews' books, but this one left me feeling sad....