This is the perfect summer read. If you’re on an airplane, at the beach or by the pool, Summers at the Saint is a lighthearted, easy read with a little bit of murder and intrigue.
You’ll join Traci Eddings and the crew she cobbles together (think Breakfast Club) in an attempt to save The Saint, a luxury hotel and resort that’s been in her deceased husband’s family for years. Will Traci be able to preserve his legacy or are there too many forces working against her?

Mary Kay Evens is certainly an established author with a very strong following. I had not yet read any of her work and decided to try this one out. I’ve come to the conclusion that she is not for me.

Summers at the Saint is a mix of mystery and romance set in a southern hotel resort. I was hoping for more of a cozy mystery, but I felt overloaded early on being introduced to what (I guess ) becomes a cast of suspects one at a time through their point of view. This made it rough going from the start as many of these characters are not very likable.

As the story progressed for me it felt very contrived. There was little I was surprised about and the characters are not much more than their plot function. When someone is murdered about 1/3 of the way in, one mystery becomes two, but neither was all that interesting.

I will say I did feel for the main character ( despite the fact she can’t see what is right in front of her) and the romance in this was quite sweet. I freely admit this may simply be a matter of my personal taste, but I don’t see myself picking up another book from this author.

Thanks to NetGalley, Macmillan audio and St martins press for advances audio and e copies of the book for review purposes.

Traci Eddings finds herself thrust into the role of owner after her husband's passing, inheriting not just the resort, but also a boatload of family drama. From the get-go, you'll feel like you're right there with Traci, navigating the challenges of keeping the Saint afloat while dodging her scheming brother-in-law's attempts to sink it.

But this isn't just a story about running a hotel – it's a tale of secrets, scandals, and second chances. As Traci digs into the Saint's past, uncovering long-buried mysteries and facing her own demons, you won't be able to put the book down. And let's not forget the sizzling romance that heats up the pages!

Mary Kay Andrews has a knack for creating characters you'll want to catch up with and settings so vivid, you'll swear you can feel the sand between your toes. "Summers at the Saint" is no exception – it's like embarking on a thrilling adventure with old friends.

This is the perfect summer read whether you're lounging by the pool or curled up on the couch. You won't want to miss it! Thank you to Netgalley for providing me a copy in exchange for my honest review.

Mary Kay Andrews' 'Summers at the Saint' is a delightful escape into the world of St. Cecelia, where tradition, intrigue, and summer romance collide. Traci Eddings, the determined widow and owner of the beloved hotel, faces challenges both personal and professional as she strives to restore the Saint to its former glory.

Andrews' storytelling is infused with warmth, humor, and a keen eye for human nature, making 'Summers at the Saint' a beach read with depth and heart. As Traci navigates staff shortages, financial woes, and familial betrayal, readers are drawn into her journey of resilience and redemption.

With its captivating twists and turns, 'Summers at the Saint' offers a perfect blend of drama, romance, and nostalgia. Andrews' knack for creating vivid characters and evocative settings ensures that readers will be swept away by the charm and allure of St. Cecelia. (I received an advance reader copy of this book, and all opinions are my own.) Whether you're lounging by the pool or curled up on the couch, this novel is sure to transport you to a world of summer magic.

Okay this was really wonderful. It felt vacation-y and camp-y and was just so fun. I was not expecting so much mystery, but it kept me guessing up until the end. This would be a PERFECT beach read! Mary Kay Andrews is so wonderful-- I've loved all of the books I've read of hers.

If you're vacationing near the water this summer, pick this up for sure!

Summer at the Saint was a great read. I read and listened to the audiobook.
I thought this would be a lovely beach reach read with romance and a little drama but I was wrong. There was an event that happened that shocked me ( I did not see it coming) and then the investigations to figure it out were jaw dropping. Yes, there was romance drama as well as family and customer drama with mysteries thrown in for good measure. This book has it all!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this ARC.

This is probably MKA’s best book yet! Set on the coast of Georgia, the St Cecelia hotel has been in the Eddings family for several generations. Traci is the widowed owner of “the Saint” as it’s called by the locals, and has about one season to reverse the downward projection of the landmark. She hires an unlikely crew to staff the hotel and refurbishes and old building for a dorm for them to live in. A series of set-backs and conflicts with her in-laws make her job harder but she manages to shoulder through. I was surprised to find mystery in this book as that’s not usual for MKA but I love it. This is a mystery with a side of romance and lots of twists and turns. I recommend this women's fiction/romance to all women. I received an arc of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.

Thank you St. Martin's Press for allowing me to read and review Summers at the Saint on NetGalley.

Published: 05/07/24

Stars: 2.5

Disappointing.

This simple cozy story had potential. This could have been a fun summer read for all ages if Andrews had written to her cover audience. I was looking for a book to recommend for vacation travel, and at over 400 pages this looked good.

Cozy, beach, summer fun mysteries don't have layered profanity. Andrews added these words for a word count? I have never read a review where I could audibly feel relief while hearing yes! there is swearing throughout the book. I have never seen a comment praising an author for dropping F words.

The story itself was all over the place. It really felt like a young person's first submission to publish. The characters never fully developed. The ending went on for what felt like hundreds of pages. Once the a reveal is made I like for a story to round up quickly; that is personal preference.

I appreciated how Olivia's Mom lived and the choices she made.

Thank you so much to St. Martin's Press and netgalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

This story follows a resort that is struggling. For the summer, a bunch of new people are hired and you follow along for the ride through the summer.

I did not like the book itself. I did like the resort setting and the summer atmosphere. I also think the cover is great.

I felt like there were too many backstories and characters to follow. I just felt a bit bored throughout. I didn't really connect with anyone or the story itself. I wish it would've only followed a few characters instead of all of them.

I hope others love this book but it was not for me.

Who wouldn’t want to be a guest at the Saint?

The exclusive resort was only affordable to the rich, but the next best thing would be to work there.

But was it the best place to work?

Traci worked there in the summers as a teenager, met the owner’s son, married him, and is now running the place since her husband was killed in an airplane accident.

It all sounds wonderful, but things happened when Traci was a teenager and things are happening now.

Murder, mystery, great characters, behind-the-scenes scams, cunning characters, and all of it wrapped up for another wonderful, can't-put-down read by Mary Kay Andrews.

Don’t forget to pack this in your beach bag or even for reading on your back porch.

You won't want to miss it.

Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

This was fun! I mean, come on, it’s a new MKA so we all know we’re gonna love it! A little mystery thrown in and some romance! Always a pleasure and an honor to read a new one from this author! Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for this early copy for read and review

This is a story that revolves around a landmark hotel on the coast of Georgia. It has been around for years and has a reputation of attracting wealthy people/people of a certain class. The book goes back and forth between things that happened when two characters; Traci and Shannon were working in their late teens as lifeguards and to present day where Traci is running The Saint and trying to keep it operable after her husband dies. Many things seem to be going wrong and there are a few mysteries to figure out.

My thoughts....I have enjoyed this author's previous books and while I did like this book, I had a hard time feeling invested in the characters stories. There were several characters and I was confused about what was really happening until around the 50% mark. Overall, it is a good read, but had too many characters, too many different storylines, and the "romance" seemed off to me.

3.5 stars but rounding up to 4 stars on GR.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC of Summers at the Saint by Mary Kay Andrews.
Publication Date: May 7, 2024
Romance, Fiction, Mystery, Contemporary, Chick Lit

Summers at the Saint by Mary Kay Andrews is an absolute hit! This book has a little bit of everything- a current day murder mystery, a death from the past being investigated, colleagues at a hotel trying to navigate friendships, a widow trying to find her way in her deceased husbands family business, and much, much more. There’s family drama, found family, past trauma, and some amateur sleuthing at work. And of course, you get your HEA! You are in for a real treat with this one!

Highly, highly recommend picking this one! Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

Thank you for this advanced copy!

I was looking forward to another one of Mary Kay’s summer beach reads, and I will admit… I judged a book too hard by its cover. This wasn’t what I was expecting, and while I adore Mary Kay’s writing, I would encourage people to save this for after a trip to the beach.

This novel will have you cheering for the underdogs! Only the rich are welcome at the Saint hotel, until an ain’t marries into the wealthy family who owns the Saint. Betrayal, deceit, and the past come together to create a wonderfully woven story. Will the Saint’s bottom line be helped by the current summer season or will the bad guys crush the dreams.

Thank you NetGalley and Mary Kay Andrews and team for this ARC.

“Summers at the Saint” by Mary Kay Andrews is a captivating novel set against the backdrop of the St. Cecelia, a landmark hotel on the coast of Georgia. Here’s a glimpse of what awaits you in this delightful read:

The St. Cecelia, affectionately known as “the Saint,” is a place where traditions run deep and scandals run even deeper. Whether you’re a “Saint” (someone who grew up vacationing here) or an “Ain’t” (from the wrong side of the river), the hotel holds secrets and memories for all. Traci Eddings, once an outsider, now owns the hotel after marrying the boss’s son. Determined to restore its former glory, she faces staff shortages, financial troubles, and a conniving brother-in-law who wants her to fail. Traci enlists a motley crew of recently hired summer help, including the daughter of her estranged best friend. Together, they have one season to turn the hotel around.

There is mystery, tragedy, romance and redemption. Mary Kay Andrews weaves warmth, humor, and twists into this beach read with depth and heart.

Whether you’re a cozy mystery lover or simply seeking a captivating tale, “Summers at the Saint” promises an engaging journey through love, loss, and the resilience of the human spirit. 🌊📚✨

This was a fun summer read. Vacation vibes, and a few mysteries as well as characters that I enjoyed spending time with.

Summers At The Saint is the perfect start of the summer type of book. It is a refreshing fiction with a combination of mystery and love..
Traci runs The Saint and has since her husband passed away in a tragic accident. While she loves what she does she is constantly bothered by her brother in law who resents her. While hiring summer help she inadvertently hires her ex best friend’s daughter who will share a dorm with her niece and two others.
The Saint is a wonderful book that answers unresolved issues from the past and renews a long lost friendship. It is full of twists and turns that keep you guessing what is coming next .
Thank you NetGalley and publisher for a copy for my opinion.

Looking at the cover and title I expected a book about summer and the beach. Was not expecting the twist that came and was thoroughly invested in the book. Kind of had an Outer banks feel so I was hooked. A delightful read and a goond one to have in your beach bag for the beach or the pool. Thank you netgalley for the arc in exchange for a review.

3.5 ⭐️ This was definitely different than my normal read, but I had so much fun reading it! I felt like I was reading a TV show that had all the great aspects of a murder mystery and romance wrapped into one! This was my first Mary Kay Andrew’s book, but it definitely won’t be my last! This was a great pallet cleanser in between my normal reads and such a quick, fun, and easy read!

This was an advanced read copy I received through Netgalley so it’s not going to be officially published until May 7, 2024! But this is my honest review!