👙 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.

✨Ｂｏｏｋ Ｒｅｖｉｅｗ✨

Summers at the Saint by Mary Kay Andrews

⛱️⛱️⛱️⛱️

This was a fun read that changed directions from a light hearted beach read to a mystery with an unexpected death. The twist that was thrown was one I could never predict but it proved to be an enticing unputdownable read. Decades long unsolved mysteries meet with present day dramas and incidents. The character’s motives are hidden until the very end. I would say to pick up a copy of this one this summer if you can!


Thank you to @netgalley & @stmartinpress for the arc! This book was released on May 7📖


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I have not read Mary Kay Andrews books previously, but this will not be the last one I read. I enjoyed how fast paced the novel was, the likeable characters, and the thriller aspect. Great for summer; a beach read with some bite to it!

"The Saint" is a popular hotel that all the best go to but only the rich are allowed u less you work there of course. Tracy Weddings did that and then got lucky enough to marry the boss's son. Then she's the proud owner of the failings of the hotel when her husband passes. This was lighthearted and beautifully written and just showed me why Mary Kay Andrews has so many best sellers. I !oved it so much!

"Summers at the Saint" by Mary Kay Andrews is a blend of mystery, family drama, and a sprinkle of romance. You'll be hooked on Traci's rise from a poor lifeguard to years later marrying into a rich resort-owning family, only to face tragedy and challenges as a widow trying to save the struggling hotel amidst the aftermath of COVID. And guess what? There's even a mysterious death thrown into the mix! Can Traci and her quirky crew keep the Saints legacy alive, or will it all crash and burn?

This book is a must for your vacation reading list. While you’re sitting by the pool, imagine diving into the twists and turns with Traci trying to solve the crime? It's a gripping, fun read with just the right amount of suspense and a twist at the end to keep you on your toes. "Summers at the Saint" is a total escape that I recommend, especially if you're into a mix of mystery and summer vibes. Dive in and enjoy the ride!

Thank you Mary Kay Andrews, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for the ebook ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

#SummersattheSaint #netgalley

The St. Cecelia is the swankiest and most established hotel on the coast of Georgia. Owned and run by the same family for generations, it's a beacon of haves and have not where the people of the town work like crazy to keep the rich seasonal visitors happy. Traci Eddings found happiness when she met and married the family's youngest son until a tragic accident left her a widow with no support from the family's ailing patriarch and her awful brother-in-law. She's doing her hardest to save the hotel, but there are things going on in the St. Cecilia that she doesn't know about and the murder of the beloved niece she convinced to work for her is only the beginning of a series of revelations that will put her, the resorts, and her employees in danger.

Traci and the rest of the characters are really empathetic, even the ones who you just know are up to no good get a little moment of sympathy and character development. It makes following along with the story about more than just what's going on with the story and it's honestly one of Andrews' strongest strengths as an author.

It's a very solid Mary Kay Andrews book. I'm not saying that as a negative, just that her books have a very specific tone that follows very specific plots so you know exactly what you're in for. A total summer read full of twists and revelations with a charming if rushed romance that somehow fits perfectly into the story. Does it stand out from other books by the author? Not really. Was it still a very enjoyable read that entertained? Absolutely.

Happy thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the read!

The Saint is where the rich people go every summer and the high end resort in Georgia. The Eddings family has owned and operated the resort for generations and it has become a landmark. However, the family has secrets and some are well hidden.

Traci married one of the Eddings sons, Hoke, whom she met working there one summer. He dies in a plane crash and she becomes the owner of the hotel and ends up running the place along side his jerk of a brother Ric. With the resort falling into hard times, Traci hires some new crew members for the summer and hopes to turn things around. Can she make some changes in spite of the challenges and hurdles she faces? What tragedy will strike and what waits her this summer will be unlike any other.

Mary Kay Andrews is one of my must read authors and she did an excellent job with this new book. Always a great summer vibe and amazing story! Loved this book in so many ways!

What an awesome read! I could not put this book down. This book is loaded with intrigue, romance, family drama, twists and turns galore. Great settings Characters that are likable, interesting and some not so good. But a definite must read. Thank you to Netgalley, St. Martins Press and the Author, Mary Kay Andrews for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

There is nothing better than a Mary Kay Andrews summer release! She continues to be a favorite author of mine, and my only regret is this book is now over and I have to wait until next year. If you like mystery and romance, this book is for you! I loved these characters and would love to come back for one more summer at the Saint.

An unlikely group of people come together to save The Saint. Murder, secrets, and greed make for a fun and interesting read. This is a great beach read- a little mystery and a little romance made a good combination that kept me turning the pages.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.