This was a sweet story of a romance and a mystery of sorts. It wasn't for me, but others might like it. It was very wordy and predictable

Mary Kay Andrews has done it again! Charming, sweet read. A book of second chances, romance, and a mystery all mixed together.

The Newcomer by Mary Kay Andrew’s is a must read for avid fans of this author. Ms. Andrews did a wonderful job on this story. The story is filled with intrigue, mystery, murder, love, budding romance, quirky background characters, wonderful protagonists, and a beautiful setting in Florida.

Mary Kay Andrews is known for novels about strong women who overcome big hurdles and come out the other side even stronger. The book reeled me in right from the beginning.

The main character is on the run with a four year old fleeing New York and ends up in Florida at a quaint motel on Treasure Island. They are definitely running from something and their story will take you on an interesting journey.

This book is full of suspense and draws you in to see if the woman and child stay safe. In addition to the mystery there are humorous scenes with the ‘Snowbirds’ at the motel. They have all been wintering there for years and feel like they own the place and are very resentful of any ‘Newcomer’, especially one having a child. The characters are totally believable. My favorite is the wonderful, lovable, sympathetic motel owner who you would want to be your friend/family. So giving and so loving and quite endearing.

This story culminates in the sense family – the one you are born into and the one that you would choose for yourself. This was another pull you in from the start novel. The ending does not disappoint. This will become a wonderful beach read by Ms. Andrews.

I would like to thank the author, St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I've been a long-time fan of Mary Kay Andrews, and I always enjoy her books set in the south. I think she's making a move away from more frivolous southern comedic romances, and now doing more of a mystery type book (more like the books she wrote under Kathy Hogan Trocheck). This latest book is one of my favorites from her in recent years. A woman on the run, a murder mystery, and jewel thieves? Yes please! Add in a sweet romance and a nostalgic Florida motel with eccentric characters, and this book is guaranteed to keep readers entertained by the pool or beach this summer.

hank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an eARC copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

I have never read MKA (as her fans refer to her), so I had no preconceived notions or ideas of her style. I was expecting a fluffy beach read, but I was pleasantly surprised by more.

One part sister drama, several dashes of defining a family, a sprinkling of quirky secondary characters, and a delightful little girl were the recipe for an engaging read. There were elements of romance, well-developed female leads, and even a page-turning from thrill or two. Highly enjoyable and once I was able to sit with it, I read more than half in less than a day. Recommended for your summer TBR stack, when it’s released later this year. And I’ll likely be on the lookout for some of the author’s earlier work.

*I was honored to receive and read an ARC of this novel, via NetGalley and the author/publisher. All reviews and opinions are my own.*

Excellent beach read.. murder mystery and rom-com all tied up in a story only Mary Kay Andrews could tell.

Letty flees NYC with her four year niece in tow after her sister is killed and ends up at a Seaside motel in Treasure Island, FL. Trying to stay low-key, Letty is soon working at the hotel and her cover is busted.

Plenty of laughs and bite your nail drama.

Mary Kay Andrews skillfully develops Letty, her niece, Maya, and the staff and occupants of a beachside little but highly valued hotel in old time Florida. The romance between Letty, on the run from the messy death of her sister in NYC,, and the hotel owner's son is brought to a satisflying conclusion. I throughly enjoyed the backstories of the other snowbirds in the hotel and their mini-dramas. I could not put the story down and the only part I did not enjoy was the title. I get "The Newcomer" refers to being the newest person at the hotel but it isn't really reflective of the story line. I just do not think it does the book a favor as it describes Letty's role at The Mummuring Surf but it is not the heart of the story.

a fun mystery with family and love at the heart.

i enjoyed trying to figure out what really happened to tanya and which different characters were guilty of something and which were not.

it was great to see how family can be chosen, and what family means in different scenarios.

the book was longer than it needed to be, i think.

Thank you to NetGalley for the e-copy of The Newcomer from St. Martin's Press. What an absolute delight to read this book by Mary Kay Andrews. The story was a light fun-filled adventure with a murder and suspense included without insulting the reader’s intelligence. So much of the time “the beach reads” are so predictable and filled with one-dimensional characters, I am really put off by them. That sure isn’t the case with this one. Two sisters, one murdered and one on the run with her adorable four year old niece, Maya. Wouldn’t you know, they land in a quirky motel, The Murmuring Surf, which is full of fun loving characters- except for Mervin. Be sure to buy this book on May 4th to take on your next beach vacation!!

I've read several Mary Kay Andrews books but unfortunately, this one was not my favorite. The mystery was too predictable and the relationship between Letty and Joe seemed forced and rushed - one minute he doesn't seem to like her and a few pages later he's trying to kiss her. The guests at The Murmuring Surf Motel were funny and I enjoyed their antics. I did like Ava and how she became a mother-like figure to Letty. This is a fun quick read for summer days by the pool, but it's definitely not one of Andrews' best.

**I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review**

Letty and her niece Maya arrive at the Murmuring Surf motel in Florida with little money and no idea why they are there. Letty's sister Tanya is dead and there was an article about this motel in her things. Letty is able to find a way to stay at the motel as she figures things out? Who killed Tanya? And why was this motel important to her? Just as Letty starts to find her way danger from her sister's pass appears.

Mary Kay Andrews is a beloved author because she is a master at writing an engaging beach read that her audience will love. This book is not a thriller, nor is it meant to be. MKA is more about the character development and the light, easy read feel needed for beach reads. I thought this book ranked as one of her top reads.

The book begins with Lettie on the run with her niece Maya. The reader learns that they are running from a dangerous situation in New York. Based on a torn-out advertisement Lettie found in her sister’s things, she and Maya head to the Murmuring Surf Inn in Treasure Island, Florida. Once they arrive, we meet a hilarious cast of senior guests who are the “regulars.” Luckily for Letty, she is befriended by the owner of the Inn, Ava, and is able to rent a room in exchange for her help in running the operations. Letty meets Ava’s son Joe, who is a local cop, and it is obvious that there are sparks involved.

The story revealed that Letty’s sister, Tanya, was murdered and Letty is the prime suspect based on the word of Tanya’s ex-husband and successful real estate developer, Evan Wingfield. The story revolves around the relationships that Letty develops around the motel and the discovery by Joe of Letty’s past and current scary situation. There is far more to Tanya than even Letty knew. Joe and Vicky, an FBI agent looking into Evan’s previous real estate deals, join together to help Letty discovery the truth about her sister’s murder. The motel rallies around Letty and Maya and they all work to protect them both.

The plot is mostly predictable, but you love the characters so much, you can easily overlook it. I am not sure I would have been this forgiving of my sister’s actions, so good thing the character was not based on me. This was a feel-good story with enough of a twisty ending to keep the reader engaged and cheering on the good guys.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for gifting me an advance copy to read and review.

3.7 stars rounded up to 4.

Letty is on the run with her 4 (nearly 5) year old niece, Maya. They have run all the way from New York City to Treasure Island Florida.

Letty went to her sister’ Tanya’s apartment and found her murdered. She found Maya in tears and terrified. Because Letty believes the murderer is Evan, the man who was fighting to gain custody of Maya, she immediately decides to run. Her sister had prepared for the possibility and Letty has a few aces up her sleeve.

According to the media, the murderer is Letty and there is a reward offered for her capture and Maya’s return.

They arrive at the Murmuring Surf motel. It is a classic Florida motel with classic elderly guests who return regularly for the season. And each of them are wonderful individual characters. They all have interesting stories.

Letty is welcomed by Ava, the owner of the motel. Not only does she find a job but she also finds a small room to call home. That is after she empties it out and cleans it well.

Best of all they can walk directly onto the beach. Maya loves to swim and put on her bathing suit.

Ava is a warm and wonderful character. Her son Joe is a policeman, and her daughter,
Isabelle is about to graduate from high school. Joe is not so sure about Letty, but Ava and Isabelle are immediately welcoming.

I have been a fan of Ms Andrews’ writing for a long time. I love her books and have most of them on my keeper shelf. The only fault I found with this book was the fact that the first portion of the book seemed very slow moving.

This is a mystery. And there seems to be more than one villain and more than one puzzle to be solved.

The FBI gets involved because of Evan’s sketchy business dealings. The local police have a record of Tanya being arrested at the motel. In short, there is a lot going on in this story.

For me, the characters are what made me love this book.

Letty is a tough cookie. She is focused on keeping Maya safe and helping her get past the trauma of losing her mother. Letty does a good job of whatever job she is assigned. At the same time, she begins to become an important part of the Murmuring Surf’s population. And some of them are very hard sells.

Letty has a secret weapon. It is Maya. The little girl is the best character in the story. She is smart, and funny and open to loving everyone around her. That is all true in spite of the fact she is in a completely different world than she has ever known. And she has lost the most important person in her world.

Joe is a good cop. He was suspicious of Letty from the first time he saw her. He has found what the media says about her but after getting to know her, he doubts the truth of the news stories. He is a man who knows that life is not always bright and sunny, but he is also open to the idea of caring for others. He is charming and funny and he looks great in his board shorts.

The people in this book are the most important part of the story. The motel is made up of guests who actually become like an extended family. There are squabbles but everyone goes back to supporting one another when the dust settles.

Ava is a strong woman who has had some hardships in life, but treats everyone as though they are welcome in her life. Her warmth and charm and strength of character means that life at the Murmuring Surf runs smoothly.

The daily events around the motel are as important to the story as the mysteries. Each day brings a new problem to solve or a new way for people to get together.

There is no immediate danger until the last part of the story. Then the action is fast and furious.

I liked this book a great deal and I believe any one who is seeking a story about overcoming difficulties will enjoy this story. Anyone who enjoys good writing will enjoy this book.

I received the book from the publisher in the hope of an honest review. I am a fan of Ms Andrews and this book is a very good example of her writing. I am voluntarily writing this review and all opinions are completely my own.

This is the second book I've read by Mary Kay Andrews. I had read her Sunset Beach last year and was happy to try another one. This was a very different book, though no less interesting. The Newcomer, set in New York and Florida, is a murder mystery. Letty, finding her sister murdered, scoops up her four-year-old niece Maya, and goes on the run to keep her niece safe. Letty is suspicious that her wealthy sister Tanya's ex-boyfriend and Maya's father, Evan Wingfield is the murderer. Tanya had told her that if anything ever happened to her, it would be caused by Eric and to take her daughter and get far away from Eric and New York. Letty ends up at an old-school motel on the gulf coast of Florida called Murmuring Surf in a place called Treasure Island.

I enjoyed the story and especially the folks at the hotel - not only the owners, but the quirky old folks who had been staying at this same motel for years. I also enjoyed the romance and the mystery. This was a little darker read than Sunset Beach, but a good book.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press through Netgalley for an advance copy.

Mary Kay Andrews does not disappoint, I enjoyed this warm hearted beach story. A young aunt and her four year old niece seek sanctuary at one of the few remaining beachside motels not bulldozed for condos. Fleeing for their lives, can they find safety and friendship in this quaint location with colorful characters and fast paced tension? There are twists and turns to keep you on the edge of your seat as we find out.

My first Mary Kay Andrew’s book & I’ll definitely be back for more! A beach read with some mystery/suspense added into the plot line.

Letty & her niece Maya ‘escape’ to a beach front resort because they are running away from their past. Letty’s sister Tanya was found murdered & Letty is accused of the crime (& of kidnapping Maya). However the deeper Letty digs, she discovers that Tanya was involved in some pretty shady business with her ex-boyfriend and now these people are coming after Letty & Maya.

Nothing earth shattering but a quick read (& a good one)! Thanks to NetGalley & the publishers for the ARC.

The Queen of the summer beach novel strikes again! The Newcomer is the type of book that grabs you from the first line and carries you to its satisfying ending. Likable main characters. A full contingent of motel resident senior citizens that keep you smiling, and best of all, precocious four year old Maya. Put these characters together with a great story, set in a wonderful old Florida motel and Mary Kay Andrews has another winner on her hands! She just keeps getting better.

Loved this book!
What a great combo between a mystery and a feel good "chick lit" novel. I had not read anything by Andrews before, so I was excited to see what all the hoopla was about and it did not disappoint.
We have a girl on the run with her niece, who is following her dead sister's last wish - if anything happens to me take my daughter and run.
The ex husband/child's dad is still in NYC, while the pair on the run ends up at a surfy motel in Florida that is full of great characters. The reader is taken on a journey trying to figure out "who done it" while growing connected to the FL hotel troupe and the main pair more and more. Throw in a little romance, and we have a winner!
Thankful for the ARC - great quick read!

I found this book to be a mystery, thriller, romance and beach read all in one. This book, which is set in sunny Florida, was a great escape from the winter doldrums. I found the characters delightful especially Letty and her niece, Maya. The story line was really fun and enjoyable. Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!

Mary Kay Andrews sets the scene with Letty's sister's murder and her escape with her niece Maya to a seedy motel with retired patrons. The mystery continues to unfold with Letty, Joe, Maya and the patrons creating more complex problems. The book hooks you from the start and doesn't let you go until the end. I thoroughly enjoyed every word.