Absolutely marvelous mystery surrounding the opening of a new hotel in Boston. The story centers around various couples and you are caught up in their personal relationships and historys. Brilliantly done!

What a way to start out the season of beach reads. This is really well written with the characters and location explained so well you think you know these people and live or frequently visit the local. I started this book in the evening and looked up and my family had gone to bed. I was really in to the story. Great book by a wonderful author

I was excited to read this book, but honestly wound up disappointed on so many levels. This novel turns on the premise of people at the same hotel at the same moment when a body falls to her a death. Everyone there is flat and stereotypical. A pushy mother-in-law? A couple dealing with anger issues? An unprovoked physical attack, with no consequences? A new mother feeling overwhelmed?

As a caregiver for someone with Alzheimer’s, I had many problems with her portrayal. It was very simplistic and relied on cliches, while the situation is so much more nuanced. The author adds little “crunchy “ touches, like a character who is a college graduate, working as a clerk in a flower shop, does that demonstrate a love of nature?

So, I found this book very superficial and almost infuriating in some of the stereotypes and misunderstandings that are perpetuated by the author.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC.

It’s a warm day in June and Riley and Tom are at The Seafarer, an historic boutique hotel, to meet with his mother and plan their wedding. The meeting is interrupted when a woman falls to her death on the terrace next to the dining room. So begins Summertime Guests, a jewel of a novel by Wendy Francis.

While Riley and Tom are only at The Seafarer for lunch, Gwen has treated her boyfriend Jason to a special weekend at the hotel to celebrate his birthday. Claire, a widow, is enjoying a few days away from her demanding job. Hotel manager Jean Paul is trying to balance his stressful new job and his home life with Marie and a new baby.

In the few days before the tragic death, we see what brought these people to the hotel on this weekend. Riley, who wants a small wedding, is dealing with her soon to be mother-in-law who is pushing her to an extravaganza that she compares to a Disney “ride she doesn’t particularly wan to go on”. Jason, dissatisfied with his choice of career, is unsettled and worried about disappointing Gwen. Claire is fighting loneliness, dreaming of her past and worried about her future. Jean Paul and Marie are in love with Isabella but bring to find time for themselves. During this time, all are hiding secrets that need to be shared.

The Seafarer is such a satisfying, unputdownable read. The characters are so well described as is the Boston location, especially the scenes in The Museum of Fine Arts. It’s a joy to read! 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin and Wendy Francis for this ARC.