I like this author's writing, but this novel was not a favorite. I liked that she included information about horse dressage and jumping as well as rescue dogs, but it just seemed like too much---too many characters and too many story lines. Nevertheless, entertaining.

Such a fun and cute read! This book is about a group of people that come together during a Hurricane. Anytime you bring a group of people together you know there is bound to be different personalities and issues that surface. What I feel like set this book apart from others is that there was a lot of talk about horses! I felt like not only was this a great novel due to all of the personality issues, but I learned a lot about horses! It is a great book and I highly recommend!

I like this author a lot, and this book is well written and good in description and dialogue. However, there were too many characters to keep track of and I just couldn’t get into the various storylines after the first three chapters.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I think a reader that is a horse lover would definitely like this book. I found the characters well defined and the information about the raising and the training of horses for dressage and jumping to be interesting. But, I just couldn’t get into the story as it was developed. I think for me, there was just too much going on in the story. A ok read, just not a favorite.
Thank you to NetGallery for the opportunity to read and review this book in exchange for my honest review.

As with all her books, Mary Alice Monroe has woven another heartwarming tale, overflowing with relatable characters, beautiful scenery and amazing animals. Although there is a brief visit to the beach with Cara Rutledge, most of the story takes place in the equestrian community of the North Carolina mountains. The eclectic group of guests are coping with challenges and strained relationships as they are seeking shelter from an incoming hurricane with dogs and horses in tow. Each character seems to evolve and grow as they care for and learn to understand the animals as well as each other. It's a departure from the Beach House Series but just as entertaining and enjoyable, and you just might learn something new!

The Summer Guests is the most recent offering from beloved writer of southern women’s fiction, Mary Alice Monroe. It is late summer and Hurricane Noelle is bearing down on the southeastern U.S. coastline. Evacuation is happening all along the coast, some voluntary and some mandatory. Grace and Charles Phillips have kindly opened up Freehold Farm to their fellow horse lovers coming north to Tryon, North Carolina to take refuge from the storm.

Gerta Klug, one of Grace’s lifelong friends, has come with her grown daughter, Elise, their trainer Karl Reiter, and their prized horse, Whirlwind, from Gerta’s prestigious equestrian facility in Wellington, Florida. Hannah McLain, now a well known makeup artist and owner of a fledgling makeup company as her modeling career has come to a close, is also traveling from the Palm Beach area with her current beau, award winning equestrian and jumper Javier Angel de la Cruz, and his renowned horse, nicknamed Butterhead. Also joining them from Kiawah, S.C., is the Phillips’ grown and married daughter, Moira along with her rescue dog and those she has brought with her to make room in a friend’s shelter for those dogs that will need help from the storm. With such a full house of eclectic personalities, the drama unfolds.

In the ensuing week, these folks, strangers to all but Grace and Charles, will soon become close as the threat of the storm moves in on them. Secrets, weaknesses, strengths will come to light. And in the end they will all be stronger for their experiences.

This was a very interesting story albeit outside Ms. Monroe’s usual wheelhouse. Her depiction of scenery is spot on. Her cast of players is rich with depth and character. The depiction of built up emotions in stressful times rings true. This latest offering from Ms, Monroe will capture the reader. I did enjoy this book and I do recommend it.

What a great summer read! I look forward to Monroe's titles just for the feeling of having a vacation without ever leaving home. It was both poignant and entertaining to watch this motley crew interact and discover what is truly important in their lives and in themselves. My Monroe fans will dive in and enjoy every page.

The impending hurricane has everyone fleeing inland. Grace Phillips opens her horse farm to an eclectic group of guests and the stories that unfold are as unpredictable as the storm that drove them together. These individuals work together to care for the horses and other animals in their care. The storm draws near and the undercurrents bring change to many of the guests emotions and relationships. When the storm clears no one is the same. Mary Alice Monroe explores themes of mother daughter relationships, living up to the expectations of others, and rekindling old friendships in this lovely book.

This book is a well written breath of fresh air. A hurricane is coming and a couple is providing refuge for a wide variety of friends fleeing from the storm. Horses are a big part of this story as well as the relationships between the many characters.This was a fun, enjoyable read.

Great summer read! I've read almost all of Mary Alice Monroe's book and always look forward to a new one. This one was so good, I couldn't stop reading it. Her stories always center around family drama and I love her writing style. Plus, I learned a lot about horses that I didn't know! Definitely recommended!

I don't know if this book was so atmospheric that I felt like I was caught up in the rush to escape from the looming hurricane or if it was because it was stormy outside. Not being much of a horse person, I learned a great deal - not only how to approach a strange horse, but how you can tell how they feel - nervous excited, or content. The horses were an integral part of the story as their owners were trying to put their own lives in order. this is truly a great book - you can smell the rain, hear the hourses and of course, smell the horse barn. A fu n afternoon read.

I enjoyed this book even though I know nothing about the horse world. There was a very large cast of characters and I found it difficult to keep track of who was who and how they were all related. Other than that it was a light, fun read!

Mary Alice Monroe is one of my favorite authors and I've read her books since her first publication. Whether she's writing about South Carolina barrier islands, turtles, butterflies, mother/daughter relationships, basket weaving or horses, she immerses the reader in the subject matter. The Summer Guests is beautifully written, as all her books are, and although I'm not a particular fan of the horse dressage world, I enjoyed reading her new release. Many thanks to NetGalley and Gallery Books for the opportunity to review an ARC.

I think this book just sparkles with interesting characters and their dialogue. I will recommend this one to friends it’s utterly captivating.
There is a trick so devious, and pulled off so smoothly, I want to tell you but it would be a spoiler.
My favorite line is said by Hannah, on the next to last page when the tension was so thick you could cut it with a knife, her one line made everyone laugh, even me, bet you will love it to!

My favorite author has done it again! Only this time she has added more dimensions and locations to her story, primarily horse country, Tryon, NC. Horses, dogs, hurricane evacuation, people with different personalities and personal issues all come together for the perfect summer read. And as a bonus we again see Cara from the Beach House series. Once you start reading you will be hooked and not want to stop!

Definitely recommend this to anyone who is getting geared up for some great summer reading, especially fans of Elin Hilderbrand and Dorothea Benton Frank. Mary Alice Monroe moves us away from her usual low country beach setting -- a major hurricane is threatening, and all her characters need to evacuate. Initially strangers, they end up at the posh horse farm of mutual friends in North Carolina. This book is filled with information about the equestrian world, which I know nothing about and enjoyed the glimpse inside. There's plenty of romance, but as usual for this author, nothing too heavy. Really enjoyed this.

The Summer Guests by Mary Alice Monroe. A enjoyable storyline and dialogue. A visit from Cara from the Beach House series. Mary Alice Monroe never disappoints a reader. I look forward to reading more of her books.

I always look forward to reading a Mary Alice Monroe book and The Summer Guests did not disappoint. Evacuating from a hurricane is scary enough but add to that caring for your beloved horses and dogs would be overwhelming. But the characters in this book came together for a common cause. Loved the little side visit with Cara and cannot wait to see the twists and turns that take place with old and new relationships.

Let me start out by saying this is my first Mary Alice Monroe novel so I was not familiar with any of her work or characters before this, but I am now definitely a fan! I am involved in the equestrian world so that's what initially drew my eye to this book along with being Southern and understanding the danger of hurricanes. In this novel, we meet several set of characters that are fleeing from a potentially deadly hurricane and all end up staying with one central friend. I enjoyed the equestrian aspects as well as the various evolving relationships and expanding friendships. I loved seeing the characters of Elise and Moira change life paths during the course of the story and their relationships with their mother. There are a lot of story lines so make sure you pay close attention. Overall, I found thought the book was really well written with a complex story that I enjoyed. I can't wait to read more by Mary Alice Monroe!

Thank you to Gallery Books and Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts expressed are my own.

Mary Alice Monroe and her amazing ability to create a world of brilliant characters and life stories, does it again. The Summer Guests takes you on a journey of friendship, love, trust and courage. For anyone who has lived through the worry of a pending storm, you will immediately be drawn into the fears faced by a hurricane on the move across the east coast. You will meet Grace and Gerta, long time friends who are brought together again by the upcoming storm. The story centers around their love of horses and how this love heals their hearts and the hearts of those they love. It is beautifully written and when the story ends, you will find yourself wanted more. This is a perfect read for the summer- one you do not want to miss.