DNF at 28%

The dialogue in this book was stilted and unnatural but I was pushing through it until the homophobic slur arrived and now I’m not going to continue. I wasn’t asked to be a sensitivity reader, but you should consider hiring one and removing the derogatory language.

While Mary Kay Andrews may never win the Nobel Prize for literature, she's definitely won the hearts of her readers for her enjoyable and oh so readable writing. Summers At the Saint is the story of Traci Eddings after she takes on management of "The Saint Cecilia" aka The Saint, an exclusive resort owned by the Eddings family located on a private island off the coast of Georgia. Traci is struggling with the issues all business owners face: revenue, expenses, staffing issues, etc. Over time, Traci works thru some issues but is faced with others. Tragedies occur. Secrets are exposed. Old friendships are renewed and new friendships/relationships are developed all in the beautiful island setting. An enjoyable story and well worth the time. I received this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion. If you're a Mary Kay Andrews fan or even if you're not, you will enjoy this one.

Summers at the Saint intricately weaves suspense and southern charm against the backdrop of a picturesque resort. With vivid descriptions and an engaging plot, the author expertly crafts a tale of secrets, betrayal, and unexpected twists. From the moment the protagonist arrives at the resort, tensions escalate, keeping readers on the edge of their seats until the final page. A gripping read that transports you to the sultry atmosphere of the South while keeping you guessing until the very end.

My first Mary Kay Andrews but it won't be my last. I really enjoyed this book. The story flowed and the ending tied everything up nicely. It was a quick, read as I wanted to know what happened and who did what.

I have some older MKA books in my TBR and I think they will be moving up on the list. I look forward to reading more of her books.

I received an Advanced reader copy through NetGalley. This book was filled with interesting characters. The setting was perfect. The Saints and the Aints working together for generations. There are stories from Traci and Shannon’s teen summers to present day. Family secrets, death, and the running of a grand hotel collide at The Saint. This is definitely a story I will be recommending!

A lot is going on in this story, family and friend drama with a dose of mystery. Traci married into the Eddings family even though she was an Ain't and shouldn't have married a Saint. Now her husband has died and she is trying to hold together the legacy of their hotel, The Saint, but since the pandemic, nothing has been right. Traci decides to open up staff housing and hires her picks bypassing her general manager. Her hires bring in most of the remaining cast of characters. These new hires set out to build a summer of fun and work but events keep taking unexpected turns.

The story is written from each of the main characters' point of view and the author can seamlessly move the reader from one person's perspective to the next without having the story feel choppy. Some parts of the mystery, I figured out while reading, but other parts I was surprised with at the end. Throughout the story, the characters find out truths about their past and they build new friendships or repair old ones. This is an easy read with suspense and a bit of romance on the side.

"Summer at the Saint" is a captivating tale set against the backdrop of the iconic St. Cecelia hotel on the Georgia coast. Mary Kay Andrews skillfully crafts a story of resilience, friendship, and redemption as Traci Eddings navigates the challenges of restoring the hotel to its former glory while contending with personal and professional obstacles. With its richly drawn characters and intricate plot, this novel is a delightful blend of humor, drama, and romance that keeps readers engaged from start to finish. Andrews' vivid descriptions and keen observations of human nature make "Summer at the Saint" a beach read with depth and heart, perfect for those who enjoy immersive storytelling with a touch of mystery and nostalgia.

I did thoroughly enjoy a lot of parts of this book however I won’t say it’s a favourite of mine. First there was too many characters to keep track of and I felt like they lacked enough depth for you to remember half of them. Secondly while the cover might not give it away the main storyline of this book follows more of murder mystery vibe and not as much a beach side romance. The setting was still romantic and I definitely enjoyed it but I probably won’t recommend this to people.

I really enjoyed this book. I thought it was going to be a more beachy read but it was more a cozy murder mystery. It had a darker edge than I was expecting as well.

Pacing was spot on and characters were well-drawn out and the story kept me reading.

I would read this author again.

Summers at the Saint
Mary Kay Andrews
Publication Date: May 7, 2024
3.5 (rounded to 4)/5 stars

The Saint, a luxury hotel and family business, is run by Traci after her husband tragically passes away. This book is a murder mystery which is a little deceiving based on the cover. It is a little slow for the first half of the book but picks up for the second half. There are a lot of POVs that are hard to keep track of in the beginning but come together eventually. There were a few twists in the book that were unexpected and kept it interesting.

Thank you to Mary Kay Andrews, St Martin’s Press and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

A perfect summer read! I loved the resort setting. I'm in the hospitality industry and it reminded me of places I've worked. There were a mix of POVs in the beginning which was a great way to meet the characters. I was intrigued by the multiple secrets/mysteries going on. Highly recommend!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy. This seemed a lot different that MKA’s previous books. There seemed to be a darker edge and a more mysterious component. While this kept my interest; it wasn’t my favorite book.

4.5 stars! MKA for me is a go to for summer reading. Summer at the Saint has more of a mystery feel but in true MKA fashion it does not disappoint. A must for your summer TBR A full review coming soon.

Half murder mystery, half family drama, this was the first book I've read by the author and she didn't disappoint. I originally picked up Summers at the Saint for a beach read and, while the island resort setting is beachy, the plot was a little darker than expected. No matter, I still enjoyed it quite a bit. It took a couple of chapters to get oriented, but once you get your bearings, the novel is hard to put down.

Net Galley Feedback

Another winner from MKA! This novel is sure to be a summertime favorite, mixing the beauty of Florida with a murder mystery. It’s an easy read, perfect for the pool or beach.

MKA rings in summer once again with a summertime resort, compelling characters, mystery, and intrigue. Mary Kay made me want to summer at the Saint, lay be the pool, and stay away from the danger! The book kept me turning page after page. Great job.

This was definitely an unpredictable book. Expecting a sweet romance with a beach vibe, instead it was a murder mystery with devious characters, family drama, strained relationships, blackmail and a little bit of that sweet romance I was expecting. I received a complimentary copy of this thoroughly enjoyable book from Netgalley and St. Martins Press. This review is my honest opinion.

I'm always excited when a new MKA book is about to hit the shelves, even more excited when I get an advanced copy for an early read! Only basing my thoughts on previous MKA books I was anticipating a fun, summer beach read with some romance and a quirky twist. Well, the quirky twist was a murder so basically we've got us a Beach Read Murder Mystery and I'm here for it!!! In the beginning, there does feel like a lot of characters to keep up with and keep straight but stay with it, some of those characters you'll love and some are just horrible people but hey, that's what makes a good story. The Saint Cecelia sounds like a fabulous place to spend a warm Southern Summer and I secretly hope that we may once again grace the doors of The Saint and see what are friends have been doing. Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Mary Kay Andrews for a chance to read before the publication date. Don't head to your summer vacation without this one!

Summers at the Saint had it all-strong women, romance, intrigue, and yes, murder! For fans of the White lotus! Tropical destination with staff and guests who get tangled up in a dangerous web, Very different from Mary Kay Andrews previous works.

I loved the fact that this book was family drama plus murder mystery plus a little romance. The pace was great and the characters were well written and thought out. All in all an easy, fun read!