Thank you for an advance copy, NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press.

Welcome to the St. Cecelia, a landmark hotel on the coast of Georgia, where traditions run deep and scandals run even deeper. . . .

This story follows Traci Edding's widow to the youngest son of the powerful Eddings family as she trys to manage the exclusive St.Ceclia resort. The book begins be introducing a slew of characters working at the Saint this summer and progresses to a whodunit of both a current day tragedy and one from 20 years ago.

🌞 Great beach read MKA writing style is so easy to read.
🌞 Interesting story that takes a bit to set up. There are lots of characters but the ending ties everything up nicely.
🌞 Story about friendships both past and present. Not really a romance as it was marketed.

"Summers at the Saint" is set in an exclusive resort on the coast of Georgia where a clear class structure is still in place. Those who are guests and members of "The Saint" are referred to collectively as "Saints" and those who work there and live in the nearby blue-collar town are "Aint's."

The resort has been around for decades, and the family that runs it isn't particularly savory, except for Traci Eddings, a young widow who was a local Ain't that married into the family. While she works to restore The Saint to its former glory, she also is a fair and compassionate employer who tries to "do right" by her employees, knowing that they are the lifeblood of the business. Unfortunately, her business partners (her father-in-law and brother-in-law) don't agree. All they're interested in is the bottom line. And right now, The Saint is bleeding money.

As the story unfolds, we're introduced to multiple mysteries, each of which eventually leads to the other. And the closer they get to the answers, the more dangerous it becomes to live or work at The Saint.

Mary Kay Andrews presents a cast of characters that you love to like or like to hate, and each serves their purpose well. The answers slowly reveals themselves as the story unfolds and the pacing is great.

Thank you to Mary Kay Andrews, the publisher, and NetGalley for an advance review copy.

This is the perfect summer read! The setting at the resort is perfection! The story was a bit of a slow burn in the beginning but it picked up mid way. The mystery of the story had me guessing and threw me for a loop by the end.

This read started out as a slow burn. I struggled through the first 50% and especially the character development, but by the time it got to 50% it really took off and in directions I did not expect. I enjoyed putting all the clues together and this was such a fun summer book with plenty of twists.

I was looking forward to a sunny beach read when I opened Summers at the Saint, and that’s partially what I got. I was pleasantly surprised to realize this would actually be a murder mystery, and was quickly pulled into the history of the titular resort. What I didn’t love was the balance between the romance and the mystery. I think it would have been a better read, personally, if there was a little less romance and a little more mystery.

All in all, a good read, perfect for a sunny getaway!

Every summer I tried to read a couple "summer reads" this year the first I chose was this one and man I'm so glad I did. I really enjoyed this one. We have Traci four years after her husband's death, trying to keep his family's hotel afloat. This book kept me turning the pages late into the night. I just loved how the story was told and all the little twists amd turns sprinkled throughout the book. My favorite characters are Weylan and Traci by far and my least fav is Livvy I did not like her at all she acted like a spoiled brat- the way she treated/talked to her mom just grated on my nerves. I fully recommend this book and im giving it 5 stars. Loved it!!!

Mary Kay Andrews is always a summer go-to author for me that I’ve been reading since my pre-Booksta days so I was excited to get approved for SUMMERS AT THE SAINT on Netgalley.

What to expect:
-resort setting
-a lot of characters
-mystery, family drama, murder
-ending wrapped up with a bow

While SUMMERS AT THE SAINT didn’t really work for me, it was an easy read that would be great as a beach or poolside read 😎

The St. Cecilia Resort, lovingly called The Saint, stood for something.
If you were part of the wealthy patrons and members of the club, you were a Saint, and everyone else was an Ain't.
Traci Eddings grew up on the wrong side of this equation but after marrying into the wealthy Eddings family, the owners of The Saint, her life turned around.
But when her husband suddenly passes, Traci finds herself alone, and struggling to keep the Saint profitable.
But when old secrets are dug up and new mysteries arise, Traci has more to lose then she thought.

OK, I thought this was going to be a summer romance.
The cute and casual cover art, the name, "Summer at the Saint", its so light and airy.
NOPE, this was a twisty little mystery and not at all what I was expecting.
I was pleasantly surprised.

It had everything, grief, betrayal, secrets, mystery, love, new beginnings ....
This was my first Mary Kay Andrews book, and it will not be my last!

I love Mary Kay Andrews books and this is no exception. It's a little different from the ones of hers I have read but I enjoyed this novel!

Traci is trying to keep the saint, her beloved hotel afloat and has hired quite a cast of characters to do just that. Between her family drama and the new hires things get a little Spicey. What happened to her niece? What is her brother in law up to? What really happened to that little boy that drowned all those years ago?

There is romance, family drama and murder mystery . It is all weaved together so nicely. There are a lot of plot points going on but when you settle in you will enjoy how it all comes together. Setting for this perfect beach read.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this treat !!!

👙 Summers at the Saint by Mary Kay Andrews 👙

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 3.5/5 (rounded up)

💭 Thoughts:
This book definitely kept me interested, and I looked forward to continuing every chance I got. With that said, it seemed like there were a lot of storylines that could have been edited down. Too many far fetched things happened by the end to me 😅 IYKYK! Though it was chaotic, I liked the element of mystery that was added to the book, and I will continue to read anything Mary Kay Andrews writes!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was not quite the plot I was expecting for MKA, but it was a great read! It was a bit more dark for a "beach read", but it kept the book more interesting because I am a thriller lover.

Traci Eddings is struggling to compete with the new resorts that are being built in the area. The St Cecelia Resort is one of the oldest in the area and she is trying to keep it exciting for the guests. Her husband died in a plane crash several years before and had planned a great renovation for this hotel. His friend and GM pull of his plans, but the Saint continues to struggle.

Traci has a lot of family drama with her brother-in-law upset that she asked his daughter, Paris, to work the front desk instead of going on her planned graduation trip to Europe. He continues to be a thorn in her side for the entire book and tries to go behind her back to get his way.

Traci also unknowingly hires her former best friend's daughter to be waitstaff at the restaurant.

Paris starts taking note of strange things happening at the Saint and is keeping track of them in her Bitch book.

Tragedy strikes the Saint family in more than one way and things go off the rails. Long buried family secrets come to light and there is a murder and 2 attempted murders.

I look forward to what MKA comes up with next!

Hello summertime reads! Summers at the Saint was a great book to begin summer off with. I loved the multiple genres mixed into this book such as romance, family drama and a little mystery too.

I hate to do this. But I think I am done with this author. I’ve been reading her books for years, and the last 5 years or so their quality has really gone downhill. This book was a mess. Way too many characters who didn’t have unique voices and personalities. 3rd person stories with multiple POV’s is very challenging to get into and connect with, at least for me, and it was very difficult to keep up with everyone.
This cover is very misleading , it is definitely not a summer rom-com. Thankfully I expected this, as MKA’s last several books have had a mystery element . Which, I might add, routinely is a murder, and while murder is about a high stakes as it gets , the story never feels high stakes. It feels like scooby gang is on the case, despite the crime being an actual devastating tragedy.
Lastly, my biggest issue with this book- for the love of all things holy, someone in MKA’s circle of readers and trusted colleagues needs to tell her to stop writing characters younger than the age of 50. She insists on having characters in college-mid 30’s and she is laughable in her characterization of them. The dialogue is some of the most cringe-inducing nonsense I’ve ever read. It’s really, REALLY awful. By far the worst part of the book, and honestly the main reason I rated it so low. I’ve had enough of it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for my advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

3.75 stars

This was a fun beach read with a side of mystery! The characters were fun to follow along with, and I enjoyed the whodunnit premise. The plot went a bit off the rails in the end, but overall it was enjoyable. I loved the setting of the idyllic resort, and reading about rich people behaving badly. Livvy and Felice were fun heroines, although for some reason I was picturing Felice as much older than she was for a good portion of the book.

I have really become a fan of Mary Kay Andrews, so I looked forward to her newest book, Summers at the Saint. There was a lot more to the story than I expected, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I look forward to her next book!
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC!

Mary Kay Andrews, celebrated for her charming Southern tales and vibrant characters, invites readers to a sun-soaked adventure in her latest novel, "Summers at the Saint". Set against the backdrop of a historic beachfront hotel on the picturesque Georgia coast, Andrews delivers a delightful blend of nostalgia, romance, and mystery that captivates from start to finish.

At the center of the story is Ellis Banks, a talented young chef with dreams of making it big in the culinary world. When she unexpectedly inherits the Saint, a once-glamorous but now faded hotel owned by her estranged mother, Ellis finds herself thrust into a world of renovation challenges, quirky staff members, and a community with deep-rooted secrets.

As Ellis dives into the restoration project, she discovers more than just peeling wallpaper and creaky floorboards; she uncovers family mysteries that have been buried for decades. Andrews skillfully intertwines Ellis's journey of self-discovery with the rich history of the Saint, painting a vivid picture of its heyday and the people who shaped its legacy.

The characters are vividly drawn, each with their own quirks and complexities that add layers to the narrative. From Ellis's endearing determination to her budding romance with a local contractor, Andrews crafts relationships that feel authentic and heartwarming. The small-town atmosphere of St. Clair, Georgia, comes alive through Andrews's evocative prose, making it a place readers will long to visit.

The plot unfolds at a steady pace, balancing moments of humor, drama, and intrigue. As Ellis navigates the challenges of restoring the Saint while untangling family secrets, Andrews keeps the reader engaged with twists and turns that culminate in a satisfying conclusion.

"Summers at the Saint" is more than just a beach read; it's a celebration of second chances, the power of community, and the healing nature of home. Andrews's love for the Southern setting shines through in every page, infusing the novel with warmth and charm.

In conclusion, "Summers at the Saint" is a delightful summer escape that showcases Mary Kay Andrews's talent for storytelling. With its engaging characters, rich setting, and heartfelt themes, this novel is sure to enchant fans of women's fiction and anyone seeking a feel-good story to brighten their day.

This was a fun summer read. I wasn’t really expecting a murder mystery but it was good. I liked the characters and was invested in the plot. Fun summer beach read.

I really enjoy all of @marykayandrews books and this one was exactly what I love about them. The characters are interesting, there is mystery, drama, and secrets, and always a hopeful, happy ending. If you’re a fan of MKA or you’re looking for a great summer read with a mystery that’s not too dark, you’ll enjoy this book!

A well written story. Introduction to multiple characters was done effectively. Fast paced and resolved in a good way.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this ARC

This is my first book by this author. It sounded interesting though so I gave it a shot.

When I first started reading I was really rather turned off. There were so many character POVs changing almost every single chapter. It was a bit overwhelming and I wasn’t sure I wanted to continue.

That said I did and in the end I enjoyed it. There were more twists and turns than a corn maze but in the end it all made sense.