This was the perfect summer beach read, it wasn't too heavy, but it still had enough of an interesting plot to keep me engaged. I really enjoyed Andrews' writing style. The characters were relatable and likeable. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The only thing I will point out is that I think it was a bit longer than necessary. Some parts were drawn out more than they needed to be and I felt like they didn't really move the story along.

Mary Kay Andrews is one of my favorite authors. Her novels are rich in characters and deep in emotional connections with her readers and The Newcomer has these qualities in spades. This story is based on a woman who walks in on a murder scene, scoops up her 4 year old niece and flees. She ends up in Florida at a beach side motel inhabited by octogenerian snowbirds and instantly becomes the "newcomer".
The reader is introduced to an array of personalities, from the soft-hearted motel owner, the cynical police detective and all of the oldsters. As the days pass, Letty and 4 year old Maya slowly chip away at the hard hearts at the Murmuring Surf motel. When the criminals close in, will Letty remain an outsider or will she finally find the family she craves?

Mary Kay Andrews is the "Queen of the Beach Read" for good reason - she is a go-to for me when I want a fun and interesting summer book. Like always, this book didn't disappoint. It is a great mix of mystery, suspense, and romance that will keep you turning the pages to find out what happened.

I really enjoyed The Newcomer by Mary Kay Andrews! Here’s the set up: Letty has driven all night from NY with her 4 year old niece, Maya. Her sister, and Maya’s mom, has been brutally murdered and Letty is doing what her sister asked of her in case something should happen to her; she’s running. They end up at the Murmuring Surf Motel on the gulf coast of Florida. It’s a small, old school motel with a slew of curmudgeonly yet adorable regulars who “snow bird” at the Surf during the winter months. The long-time owner, Ava, takes Letty in and gives her a job and place to call home for awhile so she can take a breath and figure out what she’s going to do.

This story has so much more than I thought it would. It’s the perfect summer beach read with a great cast of characters, a mystery to unravel that keeps the pages turning and yes, a little bit of romance. It’s funny and suspenseful and heartwarming and really just a delight all the way to the end. I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish! You definitely need to add this one to your beach or pool bag this summer!

This AMAZING book has it all...murder, intrigue, beautiful beach weather, murder and love interest.

The author does a great job developing the characters thoughts and feelings and paints a vivid picture of the beach front hotel

Letty has always been told if something happens to her sister, Tanya, take her daughter Maya and run. Her path takes her to the Murmuring Tides Hotel, where the kindly owner Ava takes her in, gives her a place to stay, and soon gives her a job. Ava’s handsome police son Joe, Sparks Letty’s interest a d daughter Isabella is great with Maya.

Initially outcast, and called The Newcomer by the hotel regulars, Letty and Maya soon charm all “the regulars”. The cast of “regulars” add humor to the scenes as their personalities emerge.

Will Letty be able to ensure Maya’s safety from the wealthy real estate mogul Evan, who Letty believes killed her sister? Can Letty ever expect future happiness?

Thank you to Net Galley and the author for an ARC. This review is my honest opinion.

The perfect summer read! A little mystery combined with romance in a perfect little seaside town! This was a quick read for me and I couldn’t wait to see how it turned out. I can always count on Mary Kay Andrew’s books to be enjoyable reads. Thank you to netgalley and St. Martins Press for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Mary Kay Andrews sure can keep a reader engrossed in any book she writes and The Newcomer is one of her best. This book has all that keeps a person intrigued---thriller, romance, quirky elderly characters, friendly people, good guys and, of course, bad guys, murder mystery. All this in one book! Thank you Mary Kay Andrews for giving me very enjoyable afternoons and nights of exceptional reading!

The Newcomer by Mary Kay Andrews is a 2021 St. Martin’s Press publication.

Letty is on the lam with her four-year old niece, Maya, after her sister, Tanya, was murdered, and Letty winds up being the prime suspect.

She, and Maya hides out in an independently owned motel in a little Florida Beach town named Treasure Island- yep- you read that right.

Some of the residents and staff at the motel are highly suspicious of Letty, while others are ready to welcome her and Maya with open arms. The owner’s son, Joe, a former detective, believes something about Letty’s story doesn’t quite add up… but he’s also willing to give her the benefit of the doubt… for a little while, at least.

Sooner or later, though, Letty’s worst fears are bound to be realized, as Maya’s father is hot on her tail…

I have only read two MKA books, prior to this one. I enjoyed them both and tried to make a conscious effort to add more of her books to my reading list. I’ve been in a ‘beach’ read frame of mind this entire month, and this book certainly seemed to fit the bill- ergo- catching two fish with one worm.

Unfortunately, I don’t think this book is the best representation of the author’s work or talent. I felt this one got rushed to publication without dotting the I’s or crossing the T’s. The book is too long, a little too implausible, even for me, who is usually willing to an author a little slack in that area.

I’m not sure if the editing was to blame or if this was just a one-off for this well-loved author- but whatever the case, I’m still looking forward to her upcoming Christmas novel and have a few of her older titles on my summer reading list.

Overall, others seem to have enjoyed this book just fine- so you might have better luck with it than I did.

2.5 stars

This was my first Mary Kay Andrews book and I was pleasantly surprised with this title. A good fiction that has a dash of thriller and even romance to come together in this novel. Would definitely recommend for a reader looking for a light book and unsure what genre they really want.

The Newcomer by Mary Kay Andrews is an exciting mystery that I loved. Mary Kay Andrews is one of my favorite authors, she can write mysteries as well as romantic comedies. Letty sister has always warned her if she winds up dead her ex Evan did it. When Letty finds her sister dead in her townhouse she fulfills her promise and grabs her sister's four-year-old daughter and runs. This book has more twists and turns that kept me reading. I highly recommend this book and this author, you won't be disappointed.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This was a really good read. A little romance, a little murder mystery... and all at a sleepy little snowbird motel on the beach! It reminded me of how much I enjoy Mary Kay Andrews' books. Would definitely recommend! Thanks Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I look for Mary Kay Andrews new releases because I love her characters and story lines. Letty finds her sister Tanya dead and she grabs her neice Maya, her sister's emergency go bag and flees to Florida. She knows that Tanya's ex boyfriend, a millionaire is responsible and is hiding to save Maya and herself. She checks them into the Murmuring Surf motel and is "adopted" by the owner and retirees that live there. Perfect except for the owner's son, a local police officer. A great read with only a small stretch of inevitability. A good romance with a little excitement thrown in for fun. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Special thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

Tanya and Letty are sisters. Tanya has a four year old by a very rich, controlling man, Ewan. Tanya is found dead and leaves a note to her sister that if anything happens to her, Ewan did it. With that letter, a bag of cash and a huge diamond ring and a screaming four year old and takes off.

Yes, Ewan is coming for her, but so are other people. What was Tanya into? Letty and the child stay in a motels cleaning closet, but the folks of this hotel are very unwelcoming. Letty has no idea who to trust. Can she trust the motel owners sexy son, who also happens to be a detective. Great book, especially since I was not really excited to read it, I'm so glad I did!

This was a fun read, but not really the romance that it's made out to be. As someone who runs a romance-only blog, it's not what my readers are looking for. Since the quality is good but not the right fit for me, I'm choosing not to formally review.

I really enjoyed this story. It held mystery, romance, and such fun character to connect with. It was written well, and even had me second guessing myself on who the killer might be. This was such a fabulous read. Definitely recommend. Thank you NetGalley for this ARC

After finding her sister lying dead in Tanya’s townhouse, Letty follows her sister’s instructions, that if anything happens to her, to take her daughter, Maya, and run far from her significant other. Letty ends up in a small, old fashioned motel in Florida, where the owner immediately takes her in, as she becomes part of the crew of characters staying at the motel. There is romance, suspense, humor and more wrapped up with a bow in this appealing novel. Recommended for readers of women’s fiction, it’s a good vacation read. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

I have been a longtime fan of Mary Kay Andrews as far back as when she wrote the Callahan Garrity mysteries under her real name, Kathy Hogan Trochek.
This book, The Newcomer, was a real pleasure to. read. It is a throw back to her earlier beach read romances. Some of her books in recent years have been less enjoyable but this one was great. It made me want to move back to South Florida.

I have read and enjoyed many of Mary Kay Andrew’s books, and I’m happy to add this one to the list. Letty is in the run with her niece. Her sister told her if anything happened to her that she should grab Maya and run... that her ex-husband would be after her. Something happened (she found Tanya dead), so she and Maya (4 years old) fled.

They landed at The Murmuring Surf, a Florida motel full of older regulars there for the winter season. Letty talks her way into a room (formerly used for storage), and tried to figure out what to do next. First is to keep Maya safe and fed. Second Is to figure out why her sister had the motel circled in an article.

There are a lovely cast of characters, including a hot cop that might or might not be a love interest (he’s the son of the wonderful motel owner).

This is a longer book, and the author took time with character interactions. It wasn’t fast-paced; it meandered. I read in multiple formats, switching from the audio to the digital. I thoroughly enjoyed the listening experience as well as the pace of the story. There were characters I loved and characters that totally annoyed me- and they were all fun to experience. This really is a great beach read!

Thanks to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and the publisher for advance copies of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Mary Kay Andrews is a staple of summer books and this one is another treat with a twist. When Letty Carnahan finds her sister Tanya dead on the floor of her exclusive New York City apartment her troubles really begin. Letty definitely suspects her sister's ex so she grabs up Tanya's four year old daughter and heads south to Florida.
Even though Tanya left Letty a bag of cash and a clue about a sleepy Mom and Pop motel in of all places in Treasure Island, Florida, nothing about it is welcoming..
Letty's adventures after she checks in to the Surf, will keep you completely entertained. The big question is can Letty fit in with the snow bird residents, find love with the owner's handsome son and avoid danger at the same time. Answers can be found in The Newcomer.
Mary Kay Andrews fans will enjoy another great summer novel and new to Mary Kay readers will discover an author they will want to binge her backlist and add to their auto-buy.

The Newcomer by Mary Kay Andrews
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Genre: Mystery & Thrillers, Romance, Women's Fiction
Publication Date: May 4, 2021

The Newcomer by Mary Kay Andrews is a standalone novel filled with romance, suspense, mystery and wonderful characters that make this such a heartwarming read!

This book was so amazing! I was drawn in immediately and didn't want it to stop! The story was fascinating, filled with unexpected twists. The characters were so wonderful! I totally wanted to live in the Murmuring Surf Motel so I could say I knew these people. This book was filled with love and the true meaning of family.

I highly recommend this book! It is fast paced and filled with so much specialness!

I'm so grateful to Mary Kay Andrews, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this ARC ebook in exchange for my honest review.