Member Reviews
Mary Kay Andrews did it again! The mystery and the summer fun made this book so hard to put down. The wide range of characters made the story extra entertaining.
This was another winner for Mary Kay Andrews. She can always be counted on to provide a good story with interested characters that draw you in.
Mary Kay Andrews is truly one of THE authors that writes captivating and romantic novels that are an absolutely perfect mix for the summer months! It's easy to equate MKA with salt air, warmth, and a beautiful view.
This novel is quite a bit darker than any of of her other novels but the southern nostalgia, and intrigue was still there in all it's glory. Perfect for lovers of mystery, a sprinkle of romance, and a touch of drama filled moments.
Thank you to NetGalley for this eArc in exchange for my honest review!
A perfect summer read. The St. Cecelia , is a landmark hotel on the coast of Georgia. Traci Eddings came from a family that couldn't afford to stay at the Saint, but she could work there. She not only worked there, but she married the boss's son! Now she is a widow and owns the hotel. She is determined against all odds to return the hotel to its glory days. Told with warmth and humor and happy endings.
First of all, I loved the setting: a fancy beach-front hotel that's been in the family for generations. There were ALOT of characters though and I often found myself a bit overwhelmed with each of the storylines. However, I enjoyed the story and the main characters overall.
Summers at the Saint is everything you’d want in a summer read—charming, warm, and full of heart. Mary Kay Andrews whisks readers away to a quaint coastal town where the Saint, an old seaside inn, becomes the heart of the story. The characters are lovable and relatable, especially the protagonist, who takes on the challenge of restoring the inn while navigating personal growth and unexpected romance. Andrews perfectly captures the essence of small-town charm, giving readers a setting that feels both nostalgic and inviting.
What makes this book stand out is the blend of humor, romance, and a little mystery. It’s a feel-good read that also explores deeper themes of resilience, family, and starting over. Andrews’ witty dialogue and vivid descriptions pull you into the world of the Saint, making you want to linger there long after the last page. If you’re looking for an escape into a sweet, uplifting story, Summers at the Saint is an absolute delight!
I am and always will be a fan of Mary Kay Andrews! I love snagging her novels as soon as they release and am so grateful I received a copy of this book to listen to this summer.
Summers at the Saint by Mary Kay Andrews is another charming, feel-good story from an author whose novels I always love. Set in the coastal town of St. Augustine, it follows Riley as she returns to help restore her family’s inn, "The Saint." Along the way, she reconnects with old friends, faces family challenges, and discovers a new romance.
True to Andrews' style, the book is filled with vivid descriptions that make the setting come alive, and the characters are warm and relatable. While the plot hits familiar beats, it’s still a heartwarming and enjoyable read. If you love stories about second chances, friendship, and a bit of summer romance, Summers at the Saint is a perfect escape. Andrews once again delivers a delightful beach read that will leave you smiling.
I love a good Mary Kay Andrews novel and will always be the first one to pick up her latest release. This one had a setting that was perfection, but I had a hard time connecting with some of the characters. This wasn't my favorite of hers, but I'll be honest and say that stories about lifestyles of the rich and famous don't tend to be my cup of tea either. All in all it was just okay for me, but I will not hesitate to grab the next MKA release.
Synopsis: Summers at the Saint is about a family summer resort business struggling through the post covid era. When a family member dies, who is to blame?
Character Development: I loved the opening up of Tracey and watching her become who she was meant to be in the end. I loved all the smaller side characters and the part they played in the story.
Plot: The plot was developed beautifully. The twists came at the right time and doubt was sowed flawlessly.
Pacing: The pacing dragged at some spots but overall was quick and a fun easy read.
Ending: The ending shocked me and I appreciated that I was surprised. I was almost frustrated by the end by how far it dragged out for no reason but there was a reason, I was wrong.
Overall Thoughts: Beautiful, fun beachside mystery that left me content and smiling.
Stars: 4 stars
Such a fun novel of rich people drama and a bit of thrill ! I listened to this in audiobook and the narrator was wonderful. Highly recommend as a fun summer read!
Mary Kay Andrew’s is the Queen of summer books. I will be honest that this book took me awhile to get into it. It started very slow but I am glad I stuck with it.
Overall, Summers at the Saint by Mary Kay Andrews was an alluring, captivating read that kept me on my toes. Very reminiscent of Elin Hilderbrand novels (specifically, Hotel Nantucket), the author did a beautiful job setting the scene and the background for the story -- this may be THE perfect summer read - whether it's during the summer season or you're missing those summer months in the dead of winter. I loved the pacing of this story -- it kept me on my toes and guessing. Mixing that with a dysfunctional family? I'm sold. I loved the more traditional 'chick-lit' aspects of the book as well. Keeps me thinking about the book long after I've read it.
I’m a HUGE Mary Kay Andrews fan and EVERY book she writes is pure brilliance and The Saint is not different! The fac that I experience many laughs and a little mystery at the same time is always a welcome and good read! Nothing like a little romance and a beach setting book. I also love how she always incorporates a little “Georgia” in every book. Thank you Mary Kay Andrews for always writing books that give love, mystery, romance and a lot of laughs!!
Mary Kay Andrews does no wrong! Obsessed with this one. Perfect end of summer read for me. Five stars.
This was my first book to read by Mary Kay Andrews and it did not disappoint. I loved the summer beach vibes with the element of mystery mixed in. I'm a huge thriller reader so I was intrigued by the murder mystery and the backstory of two friends that had a fallen out. There were a lot of characters to keep up with so I found myself often questioning how each person fit into the story and had to back track at times.
I never guessed the ending so it had a good surprise element to it. I like her writing style and ability to mix a light romance into the mystery.
It’s Mary Kay Andrew’s, how can it be anything other than wonderful? And yet, this just may be her best yet. Definitely an enjoyable read. Would recommend to anyone and everyone.
I like authors that write entertaining books, but they have a formula that works and stick to it. What Elin Hilderbrand does for Nantucket, Mary Kay Andrews does for Florida and the deep South! There will be a lovely beach setting described so well you can picture the waves covering your toes as you walk along the shore. There will be a cast of engaging characters, some good and some very villainous. There will be a little romance but not too much! And there will be a mystery, usually a murder. Summers At The Saint has all of these and more!
The Saint is a resort hotel in a small town on the Georgia Coast. You either work or live at The Saint, or you're a townie, and that's an "Aint"! Traci Eddings is a lifeguard at the Saint, but makes the transition from townie to the Inner Circle when she marries one of the two sons of the owner of The Saint. This story goes back and forth in time, as a two decade old mystery is unraveled. There is plenty of glamour and froth, but the story also has a dark side as it touches on the fentanyl epidemic in our country. There is a lot of intrigue and action that will make this a book you zip through!
I rate it 4.5 stars and rounding up!
And let me add that the narrator of the audiobooks, Kathleen McInerney, manages to perfectly capture the tone and cadence of the story, and also is good at having different voices for different characters. It makes for a great listen.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Such a great summer read! A fab little mystery that is perfect for a beach or porch read!
Thank you to net galley and the publisher for a chance to read and review this book
One of my favorite things about summer is Mary Kay Andrews! Her books are always the perfect beach read and this book is no different. What makes this book great is it's the perfect mixture of a bunch of genres - romance, mystery, comedy, drama, chick lit. This book has a little something for everyone.
Charming, intriguing, suspenseful, romantic full of family drama and second chances. There are interesting twists that get revealed throughout the book. MKA's writing flows beautifully. The characters are wonderfully developed (even the ones you won't like) and add to the depths of this story. I was especially impressed with Traci amd her perseverance given all the obstacles and grief thrown her way. And by the end, the author wraps up all unanswered questions and loose ends.
If you're looking for your next great summer/beach read, look no further!
My thanks to Mary Kay Andrews, St. Marrin's Press and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This title had more of a mystery to it than I anticipated based on the cover.
Traci Eddings is trying to make the best of her husband's family's famous hotel, The St. Cecelia. Her husband, Hoke, died over a year ago and he was the glue that held the family and the hotel together. Traci is left to keep everything going despite her brother-in-law's attempts to cut corners and her father-in-law's not so stellar moral compass as a younger man.
Traci convinces her niece to come work for her and is soon found dead. She and several other staff are devastated and try to find anything to help the police find out what happened. Little by little, clues emerge, Traci finds new companionship and stones are unturned revealing a surprising ending.
Even thought I believed this would be a light summer romance based on the cover, I enjoyed the story including the mystery aspect. The whole setting did seem like the prefect summer getaway.