Book Review: Wreck by Mari Andrew
When I won two copies of Mari Andrew’s Wreck from Good Morning America’s Book Club for my Little Free Library Shed, I was over the moon! 🥳 This novel, selected as GMA’s Book Club pick for November 2025, was eagerly awaited since I had thoroughly enjoyed her debut for adults, We All Want Impossible Things. Little did I know that receiving this book would spark both excitement and a sense of déjà vu; it turns out this is the second book in a series, and I scrambled to read Sandwich first. I’d recommend doing the same, but Wreck can still stand on its own.
In Wreck, we meet Rocky, who is confronting an unsettling health crisis. As I read about her struggle to piece together the puzzle of her symptoms—much like my own harrowing experience of undergoing numerous tests this past year—I couldn’t help but feel a rush of empathy. There I was, engrossed in her trajectory while wrestling with my memories of medical appointments and anxious waiting rooms. “We brought your imaging to our monthly special cases meeting” echoed in my mind, and the compulsive need to self-diagnose resonated deeply. Yikes! I prefer feeling special for my accomplishments, not for being a topic of intense medical scrutiny!
Andrew deftly captures the emotional chaos that ensues when one family member’s illness unsettles the rest of the clan. The narrative is peppered with moments of humor, tension, and familial drama. Rocky’s interactions with her 93-year-old father, her adult children grappling with their own issues, and her husband Nick provide both comic relief and poignant significance. As Andrew shared in an interview with Vogue, Wreck explores Rocky’s compulsion to care for others against the backdrop of her own challenging life. This tug-of-war between caregiving and self-identity felt particularly relatable, echoing the often messy reality of modern family dynamics.
On a stylistic note, Andrew’s writing flows effortlessly, making this a deceptively quick read at just 210 pages. The pacing keeps the narrative engaging, and I found myself flying through the chapters, especially when Rocky’s experiences mirrored my own anxiety and hope regarding health matters. Yet, I couldn’t help but wish for a bit more depth in some of the detours the story took, as my heart yearned for a quicker return to addressing Rocky’s crisis.
Memorable lines and moments stay with you—besides the health-themed undertones there’s a poignant exploration of finding balance and the complexities of family relationships. Through chaotic dialogues that can either annoy or amuse, readers are invited to reflect on their own family dynamics.
Ultimately, I rate Wreck 3.5 stars. It’s a captivating read for anyone who enjoys heartfelt family dramas and stories that echo our own life experiences. If you’ve ever felt the pressure of caring for others while grappling with your own issues, this book might just hit close to home. So grab a copy, and let Rocky’s journey remind you that you’re not alone in facing life’s wreckage. After all, we could all use a little compassion—both for ourselves and those we love.
For further reading, check out my reviews of We All Want Impossible Things here and Sandwich here if you haven’t already!