This book made me want to move to Treasure Island, Florida! The setting came alive and the dialogue was all genuine and believable. This is a book that seems like it would be plot driven but is actually character driven. There was no major twist (unfortunately? It might’ve been a little better with a big twist) but I enjoyed the ride even though it was a predictable one. The characters were fleshed out and imperfect and I very much enjoyed their interactions with one another. I read it all in one night because I was enjoying it so much, but I wouldn’t say it’s particularly suspenseful. Totally enjoyable read, would definitely recommend this to a friend.

4/5 stars.

Mary Kay Andrews serves up a mystery along with romance in her latest novel. On the run from New York City and the greedy brother-in-law she is sure killed her sister--with her four-year-old neice in tow--Letty Carnahan takes temporary refuge at an old beach motel in Florida, a motel that holds secrets about her sister's past. With danger closing in, she gets help from a hip highschool hacker, a delightful cast of characters and curmudgeons at the Murmuring Surf Motel, and a handsome police officer. The retirees of the Murmuring Surf are one of the delights of the book, as is the gruff FBI agent I hope to see again. A breezy read from an author who never disappoints.

I’m ready for the beach read season. I kicked it off with this book and man was it delicious. I've read nearly all of the books by Mary Kay Andrews
and this is in my top 5 of her books. The characters were very believable and the story could happen in real time. This was a hit for me. Thank you so much for the advanced read

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I have loved MKA's books for as long as I can remember. And this one is no exception. Letty is on the run with her niece. There is danger back in NYC but there is also danger in Treasure Island Florida if anyone finds out who she is. This is more than a "beach" read. Its about family ties and taking care of each other. Broken trust and finding trust again. Just another great MKA book!

The Newcomer is the latest of Mary Kay Andrews and it hits its mark as this summer’s new beach read. The mystery takes the forefront in this book compared to the romance. Letty Carnahan has left New York City in the middle of the night with her four year old niece after finding her sister dead in her townhouse. Letty soon finds herself a new parent, wanted by the law, and in need of some desperate help from a motel owner on the gulf coast of Florida. Unfortunately for Letty, her sister left behind a lot of secrets that lead her into circumstances she never expected!

Another great summer read from Mary Kay Andrews! She’s one of my favourite author and this book is the perfect mix of suspense, intrigue and romance.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Letty visits her sister Tanya's apartment where she finds gr dead. Letty takes her niece and goes on the run. Tanya always said if something happened to her it was her ex-husband who did it. She escapes to Florida to figure out what happened. This book was well written.

I really enjoyed this novel by Mary Kay Andrews. She did a wonderful job painting a picture of the beach, you could almost feel the sea breeze and smell the salt air from the ocean. It was a welcome escape from our current reality. The characters of the novel were well written and you were drawn into their stories. A true story of family love, as imperfect as that can often be.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced digital edition of this book in exchange for my honest review!
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Summer never ends with MKA

In trouble and on the run...

After she discovers her sister Tanya dead on the floor of her fashionable New York City townhouse, Letty Carnahan is certain she knows who did it: Tanya’s ex; sleazy real estate entrepreneur Evan Wingfield. Even in the grip of grief and panic Letty heeds her late sister’s warnings: “If anything bad happens to me—it’s Evan. Promise me you’ll take Maya and run. Promise me.” So Letty grabs her sister’s Mercedes and hits the road . . .

With a trunkful of emotional baggage...

and her wailing four-year-old niece Maya. Letty is determined to out-run Evan and the law, but run to where? Tanya, a woman with a past shrouded in secrets, left behind a “go-bag” of cash and a big honking diamond ring—but only one clue: a faded magazine story about a sleepy mom-and-pop motel in a Florida beach town with the improbable name of Treasure Island. She sheds her old life and checks into an uncertain future at The Murmuring Surf Motel.

The No Vacancy sign is flashing & the sharks are circling...

And that’s the good news. Because The Surf, as the regulars call it, is the winter home of a close-knit flock of retirees and snowbirds who regard this odd-duck newcomer with suspicion and down-right hostility. As Letty settles into the motel’s former storage room, she tries to heal Maya’s heartache and unravel the key to her sister’s shady past, all while dodging the attention of the owner’s dangerously attractive son Joe, who just happens to be a local police detective. Can Letty find romance as well as a room at the inn—or will Joe betray her secrets and put her behind bars? With danger closing in, it’s a race to find the truth and right the wrongs of the past.
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There are some authors whose new releases I look forward to every year, and Mary Kay Andrews is certainly one of those. In her books, I can look forward to some mystery, some romance, some laughs, and a trip to the beach. The fact that I got to enjoy this in January this year? I can't complain about that!

The Newcomer took started off a little slow for me, but that might be because my schedule was busy, and I didn't have the kind of time I like to devote to a book like this...you know, that day that you can curl up on your couch and just fall into a book and read and read and read. Once I was about halfway through, I was completely engaged and spent every spare moment I had racing to the finish. I loved the characters, especially the snowbirds staying at the motel, and I loved the setting, which reminded me of where my grandmother lived in the later years of her life, and most of all, I loved the warm feeling I have come to expect from reading a MKA novel. She certainly didn't let me down!

Another great read from Mary Kay Andrews! When Letty and Maya show up at a vintage Florida motel, everyone's life is changed. This book has it all: humor, romance, intrigue, murder, heartbreak, jealousy and unconditional love. With incredible character development and elaborate scenery descriptions, the reader will find herself immersed in the story almost as if she is a minor character watching the events unfold in front of her.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this fabulous novel. Everyone will want to sit back, grab some snacks and a beer and cheer on Letty as she navigates her way through a devastating tragedy!

While the story started out a little slow for me, I’ve read this author before with great joy. I powered on through and was very happy I did. The peripheral characters were unique, and developed so that they were relatable and likable. Letty is on the run and not exactly sure why. She has taken custody of her niece based on a cryptic note from her sister. She ends up at a small motel in Florida based on a picture. I enjoyed getting to know the other residents with their quirks and charms. A lot of the details fall into place a little too neatly for my taste but overall the book was a great way to spend an afternoon. #netgalley

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC of The Newcomer By Mary Kay Andrews.
The Newcomer is one of those beach reads that fully invests you in the lives of the characters. I wish the Murmuring Surf was a real motel (maybe it is??) because I would totally be a guest there. I enjoyed this story, as Letty and Maya had to navigate who to trust and how to get their lives back on track, while staying hidden from the men who wished them harm. The book was slightly long for me and could have been condensed by a couple of chapters, but overall Mary Kay Andrews did a good job of painting a picture of this community and how they pulled through for each other.

This book is great! Would definitely recommend. Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

LOVE LOVE LOVE this new MKA book!! This one is slightly different than her usual beach read/chick lit but in the best way possible! I LOVED the characters and didn’t want the book to end. I cheered for our main girl all the way through to the end of the book!!!

Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Letty, a struggling NYC actress, finds her sister dead. Quickly, she grabs the “go bag” and her niece Maya and is on the run. Tanya always told Letty that if anything happened to her, Evan did it. The two drive all night until they find the Murmuring Surf Motel by way of an old magazine clipping of Tanya’s. With no vacancies, Letty strikes a deal with the motel’s owner, Ava, to work in exchange for a place to stay. This decision doesn’t please Ava’s son Joe, who serves as the town’s police. He’s suspicious of Letty, all while she’s trying to hide.

This was my first Mary Kay Andrews book. I liked the beginning, because you really get drawn into the mystery - who killed Tanya? What does Tanya have to hide? What is her connection to the motel? However, as the book progresses, the jumps back and forth between past and present, plus the jumps between many POV’s, the book is too segmented for me, missing a natural flow. Characters keep getting brought into the mix and at times, it felt too much to keep track of. I also felt like the relationship between Letty and Joe felt forced and out of nowhere. Finally, the book was just a tad too long and drawn out for my taste.

Well, MKA has worked her magic yet again. THE NEWCOMER is the PERFECT mix of suspense, romance, and fun! Letty arrives at the quaint motel in Treasure Island, FL to escape the painful events and accusations she endured in NY. With her 4 year old niece in tow, Letty attracts the attention a local police officer who also happens to be the motel owner's son. As with all of MKA's books, she expertly navigates the waters of fun-and-easy beach read, while also weaving in some more serious topics, such as domestic abuse and child custody. You'll appreciate the variety of characters, especially the wide array of hotel guests, who end up feeling like family. Great book from a great author!

Mary Kay Andrews has always been one of my favorites!!! This book is no exception. Letty is such a relatable character. Her relationship with Joe as well as Maya is so memorable. I would recommend this book to anyone!

Great book to read in the winter. Love her books. Can’t go wrong with her books. One of her best in my opinion.

This was a fun read about family relationships, some mystery and Mary Kay Andrew’s signature humor. I found myself routing for Letty and Maya while also curious about what happened in the past and what their future held. After her sister is murdered, Letty finds herself on the run with her young niece Maya due to a promise she made to her sister to ensure Maya didn’t end up with her father Evan. Letty and Maya land in a seaside hotel in Florida where they build a new life.

This is my first book by this author and I loved it. I will definitely be on the lookout for more. It was full of mystery and thrills and romance.