I was in my happy place reading Summers at the Saint. It is a fun, entertaining read that takes you to summertime in Georgia at an inclusive family resort.

The main character, Tricia, is very likeable, there are some great secondary characters, there is a murder, family dysfunction, betrayals, secrets, friendships, and even a budding romance. The story is written in an easy to read style and the pacing was good although I think the book could have been a bit shorter (than its current 400 pages). I was absorbed by the novel and looked forward to picking it back up the few times I had to leave it to do other things. I found the ending maybe not quite as strong as the rest of the story. However, overall, I had a great, enjoyable experience reading this novel and recommend it as a solid summer read!

Thanks to the publisher for this complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

🌴 🌴 🌴 🌴 🌴 / 5

Wow! This book was magnificent and had a lot going on! I have mainly read MKA’s Christmas books so I jumped at the opportunity to read and listen to this one!

The book takes place in at the Saint, a beautiful 5 ⭐️ resort in Georgia, I was not sure what to expect but there a number of interesting sub-plots filled with dark secrets! I absolutely loved this book and basically listened/read it the entire weekend! The narration was great and the book was fast paced! My only complaint is that I wish I could have some of Felice’s cooking and reading it on a poolside chair at the Saint!

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s press, and Macmillian Audio for the opportunity to read and listen to this book! Jessica Clarke, the narrator of the audiobook, was amazing to listen to! Add this to your TBR, it is out May 7, 2024!

I only started reading Mar Kay Andrews two years ago through a recommendation of a friend. Since then I have read a dozen of her books and enjoyed them all. This new release is no exception. I found Summers at the Saint to be well-written and engaging, a true page-turner. MKA has a way of adding mystery to each of her books that I find intriguing. Her character development is well done. This novel in particular is the story of the "Haves and the Have-Nots". I would not call it a light-hearted beach read, but I do highly recommend it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital ARC. All opinions are my own.

This was my first Andrews book and I am definitely interested in going to her backlist. The book had a little bit of everything: romance, mystery, family drama! The ensemble characters are fun and remind me a lot of Elin Hilderbrand's novels in respect to the fact that there are so many intertwining people and stories.

The story is so well written and I think lovers of various genres will enjoy it! Perfect for the upcoming summer season to read at the beach or on a resort.

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's press for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review. Summers at the Saint is out on 5/7/24.

“People—and it’s mostly the ones who’ve never had any—they say money can’t buy happiness. But you know what it can buy? Choices.”

I am HERE for the summery beach reads with a little sprinkle of murder and a dash of mystery and drama. I couldn’t put this book down!

Summers At The Saint has everything you need in a story to keep you invested and flipping those pages. There’s family drama, questionable characters, some down and dirty business deals, all set against the backdrop of a pink beach resort for the wealthy and connected.

The audiobook was so good as well! I love having multiple copies of a book so I can read when I have some down time and listen when I need to multitask! A win/win for sure. The narrator did a fantastic job of making this story come to life for me.

Thank you to Netgalley, Macmillan Audio, St. Martin’s Press, and @marykayandrews for the ALC and ARC in exchange for my honest review.

It pains me to DNF and give this rating because I’ve loved other books she’s written. The setting was lovely, and I was expecting a light beach read, but that’s definitely not what I was getting. This was just too much. Too many characters, unlikeable at that, and too many separate things going on. It just wasn’t for me, and I couldn’t connect with it.

"Summers at the Saint" by Mary Kay Andrews offers a delightful blend of tradition, scandal, and redemption set against the backdrop of the iconic St. Cecelia hotel on the Georgia coast.

Traci Eddings, the widowed owner of the hotel, faces a daunting task as she strives to restore the Saint to its former glory amid staff shortages, financial woes, and the scheming of her greedy brother-in-law. With a motley crew of summer hires, including the daughter of her estranged best friend, Traci must navigate personal and professional challenges while uncovering long-buried secrets that threaten to unravel everything.

Andrews expertly weaves together a captivating narrative filled with warmth, humor, and unexpected twists. Traci's journey is both relatable and inspiring as she confronts adversity with determination and resilience, ultimately finding strength in the face of despair. The richly detailed setting of the St. Cecelia, with its colorful characters and deep-rooted traditions, adds depth and authenticity to the story.

With its blend of romance, mystery, and heartwarming moments, "Summers at the Saint" is more than just a beach read—it's a compelling tale of friendship, forgiveness, and the enduring power of hope. Andrews' skillful storytelling and keen insight into human nature make this novel a perfect summer escape that leaves a lasting impression.

🏨 Summer at The Saints - Mary Kay Andrews

3.5⭐️ - I liked this, but I wanted to love it. I am a big fan of MKA. Her books always surprise me. While this one was lovable and “light,” I just didn’t feel wowed. It was good, but I was looking for great.

Again, overall, I enjoyed it. It was a fun listen but it was lonnnnng. I’m always surprised by the length of MKA books. I think I would have enjoyed it more if it was a touch shorter. There were also a lot of characters. Now, this could be an audio thing but i struggled at times to keep track. I’m not sure if I would have felt this if I read the physical book. But on the plus side, it had romance, it had mystery, it had family drama, it had a fun summer setting. All of those things kept me into the book and were parts of the story I enjoyed. Recommended to MKA readers or someone who likes mystery in the summer. Don’t be fooled by the cute cover, it’s not all fun and games inside the book!

I absolutely loved this novel. Mary Kay Andrews did not disappoint with the drama.
This book was fantastic and is going to be a wonderful summer read. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. A big thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press or the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to St. Martins Press and NetGalley for my complimentary eARC and to MacMillan Audio for my complimentary audiobook. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

There are many storylines in Summers at The Saint and it was difficult to keep them all straight at the beginning; Mystery Romance Murder Theft. Eventually things setting down and the story takes off.
I’ve only read Mary Kay’s Christmas books, so this an interesting read. There is plenty of action to keep you occupied while sitting beach or poolside this summer !

I paired the audio with the eARC.
I always enjoy listening to books narrated by Kathleen McInerney.

Thank you to @netgalley and the publisher for the #AdvanceReviewCopy

Genre: Mystery/Women’s Fiction
Release Date: May 2024

Summary: Traci grew up on the other side of the river making her an outcast when it comes to the prestigious resort named The St. Cecelia (The Saint for short). But eventually, Traci marries the owner’s son and after his accidental death, things change and Traci now owns and runs the hotel. This however has been no easy feat as her late husband’s family is not only restful of her, but her brother-in-law continues to give her a hard time daily. Traci must continue to navigate the muddy waters and when an expected turn of events occurs, her life changes once again. Searching for answers, praying for strength, and managing her in-laws is more than Traci can take.

My Thoughts: Like all Mary Kay Andrews books, I loved this one. It grabbed my attention from page 1. This is really like 2 murder mysteries in one. One is a blast from the past, while the other is current. There were a slew of characters introduced early on but this was done with care and intention, allowing the reader to get to know each one carefully. There was never confusion around the characters due to the flawless execution. Each character and story blended nicely with the overall arc like a well fitted glove. The mystery kept me on my toes, even though I did figure out early on what was happening and who the guilty parties were. I think this still worked because I truly connected to a lot of the characters, and became deeply invested in their outcomes. The book also offers much more than the mystery as it contains family drama, loss and explores failed friendships.

Packed with many punches, this one will have you curled up reading anywhere you have the time to fit in just one more page.

Five stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A perfect summertime beachy read. Goes great with lemonade or white wine, sunshine, and several hours to just devour it without stopping. 😁

The setting is a posh hotel on the Georgia coast known as St. Cecelia or The Saint for short. The high dollar guests are known as the Saints and those from the other side of the river are known as an Ain't. Traci and her friend were so excited to be lifeguards for the summer. On those long ago summer days, Traci never dreamed she would one day be running this hotel that she is so enamored with. The summer was joyful, but was also marked by tragedy and lives were forever changed.

Traci ended up dating and then marrying one of the owner's sons, Hoke. Unfortunately, now she is widow trying to run this exclusive resort all while battling with her pain in the backside brother-in-law. Business is just now picking back up after the Covid shutdowns. Traci needs this summer to be successful, but it seems everywhere she turns something is going wrong. Staffing is an issue, but she finds a way to make things work.

This story had the perfect blend of mystery, family drama, long lost friendships and new romance, which made this such a delight to read. There are mysterious characters, betrayal and coverups that will shock you. Most importantly this is the perfect beach read and will put you right in the mood for a summer day at the beach or pool. The Saint lived in my mind for most the day today as I flew through the pages desperately wanting to know how this one would end, all while wishing I was a guest at The Saint.

Thank you to St. Martins Press and NetGalley for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Summers at the Saint has romance, intrigue, and rich people doing rich people things. The story is told from multiple points of view, as people from both sides of the tracks come together at an iconic southern beach resort. The widowed main character, Traci, is trying to navigate running an aging resort in a post-Covid world. The story unfolds quickly, with a few unexpected twists. The setting and the pace make this a great vacation read!

This book is a perfect summer read for anyone who loves a drama filled story about rich people behaving badly. It was told from multiple viewpoints with a mystery at its core, I was intrigued to keep reading, but some of the characters and situations left me unsettled.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy. This was my fifth book by Mary Kay Andrew’s and it won’t be my last. Summers at the Saint follows Traci, the owner of the Saint, a five star hotel as she navigates the summer season along with her staff Parrish, Livvy, and Felcia. They face many hurdles along the way. Summers at the Saint will be a popular choice this summer for a feel-good book with thrilling twists.

I look forward to Mary Kay Andrews every year, and I usually love her stories. But unfortunately, I didn’t enjoy this book. While her settings are always lovely and charming, this story has too many characters & felt chaotic. The cover suggests a fun beach read, but instead Andrew’s gave us a darker story than what I’m used to with her. Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of the book.

St. Cecelia, a luxury hotel/resort known as “the Saint,” has been a dividing ground for generations. If your family was wealthy enough to be admitted, you were a Saint; if not, you were an Ain’t. Traci grew up an Ain’t – until she met and eventually married the boss’s son. Upon his death, she took over running the hotel, determined to overcome financial troubles and staff shortages and return the Saint to its former glory. It will take everything she has to accomplish this before everything comes tumbling down around her.

I have read and enjoyed nearly every book this author has written, and this was no exception. I really liked Traci, her willingness to listen to her staff and her determination to get to the bottom of the problems that arose and turn the hotel around. I figured out who was behind each of the issues that came up before they were revealed in the book, but this is billed as a romance, not a mystery, so that wasn’t surprising. The romance itself wasn’t a surprise either, but I liked the way it developed as the book progressed.

I can’t wait to read MKA’s next book, which will most likely be a Christmas-themed romance.

There isn't an MKA's book/novel I haven't liked and I just added "Summers at the Saint" to that list. The beachside hotel setting was a visual delightful in the way it was described. I was expecting the perfect summer read and got so much more with a mystery as well. There was so much goodness and complexity in this story that I couldn't put it down. Such depth to the amazing mix of colorful characters. Traci's strength was uplifting and captivating as she handled everything thrown at her, secrets, murder, theives and deceit all while trying to save The Saint." This book was equal parts suspense, cute, emotional, exciting, intriguing and inspirational with some romance too. Truly an incredible entertaining read, an absolute delight!

Somehow I had never read a book by Mary Kay Andrews before I started reading her latest novel, Summers at The Saint. I really enjoyed this book. It had so many things that I love in a murder mystery. The setting of a tourist island in Georgia sounds like it could have been any of the little barrier islands that dot the coast of Southern states. The female protagonists all had some grit to them despite their differences. The twists were surprising. I now want to pick up another Andrews book to read soon!

I recommend this book if you love books about the darker side of paradise. It will be a great thriller to read at the beach or when you are mentally ready to be transported there.

Thank you @stmartinspress for allowing me to read this book ahead of publication in exchange for my honest review.

(This same review was shared on the Barnes & Noble website)