Mary Kay Andrews is a favorite author, and she does not disappoint with her latest book, Summers at the Saint. The summer season is about to start and the resort is still trying to recover from the pandemic. Traci has to get inventive to get the staffing needs filled but she will do whatever it takes to get The Saint thriving again since it was her deceased husband's passion. We get family drama, workplace conflicts and betrayals that end with a murder and a couple of mysteries to solve. Very entertaining with a satisfying ending.

I lost myself in this book...I felt like I was at a beautiful resort on the coast of Georgia following along to the story. Traci Eddings who grew up adoring the "Saint" from afar, ends up working there in HS and marrying the owner's son. Now with staff shortages and financial troubles after COVID, she decides it is time to try something different and has a dorm built on property to house staff. There is so much drama, secrets and friendships along the way-- great beach read!

Absolutely loved this one! A blend of the perfect summer beach read and mystery, with a touch of romance. I was so intrigued to know how the story played out, that I was unable to put this one down. Did not see the ending coming! Mary Kay Andrews never disappoints.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of Summers at the Saint. Despite my initial anticipation, I regrettably found myself unable to complete the book and ultimately decided to discontinue at the 50% mark after wrestling with it for 2.5 weeks.

One of the primary challenges I encountered was the abundance of characters and multiple points of view. The multitude of perspectives made it challenging to connect with any particular character, and at times, the storyline felt disjointed. This complexity hindered my ability to fully immerse myself in the plot, detracting from the overall reading experience.

Additionally, the book's cover, which suggested a light and enjoyable summer beach read, seemed to be somewhat misleading. The actual content leaned more towards a murder mystery, which, unfortunately, caught me off guard. This mismatch between expectation and reality contributed to my difficulty in engaging with the story. Furthermore, I noticed many similarities between Summers at the Saint and other books I've previously read. The lack of originality in the plot left me yearning for a more unique and distinctive narrative.

In conclusion, Summers at the Saint fell short of my expectations as I struggled to connect with the characters and found the plot to be lacking in originality. The combination of numerous characters, unexpected genre shift, and similarities to other works made it difficult for me to fully invest in the novel. While I acknowledge that personal preferences vary, I believe a more streamlined narrative and a clearer portrayal of the book's genre on the cover could enhance the reader's experience.

The first few pages had me hooked. I knew right away a good story was unfolding. I had a feeling the plot would circle back around, but it remained a mystery as events unfolded through the book.

I enjoyed how Mary Kay Andrews describes the scene, the characters, even the food with great detail. Her use of vocabulary is great.

MKA has a way of packing in the wow factor with unexpected twists and turns. I said, "wow!" several times throughout the book. I really enjoyed it.

If you like a bit of mystery and family drama you'll enjoy Summers at the Saint.

Wow, what a ride. Something is going on at The Saint. Murder, drugs, and things that go bump in the night. Traci is in charge of The Saint, trying to live up to her husband’s legacy. But she only seems to be getting in debt deeper and deeper. And her brother-in-law keeps getting richer and richer. This book has so many things going on and it is so good. Thank you NetGalley for an early reading copy. I really enjoyed it and can’t wait to purchase my own copy. Summers At The Saint. Definitely five stars.

I love a good Mary Kay Andrews murder mystery and this was no exception with the perfect southern summer setting and great cast of characters! When MKA develops characters, I feel like I actually know them and that was the case here in "Summers at the Saint". The hotel's setting was also perfectly concocted, making me feel like I was walking around the space. I didn't see the crime in the book coming and didn't see the big twist in the plot either. All around, a book I would recommend!

Oh. My. GOSH!!!! This book was a WILD ride in the BEST way possible!! So many shocking twists and turns! Set at an idyllic luxury resort, you won’t know who to trust when the drama unfolds! In true MKA fashion, this story whisks you away to the southern charm of coastal Georgia and just as you’re settling into your pretty pink lounge chair in the sun… BAM! This was a fantastic read and I cannot thank NetGalley & Saint Martin’s Press for the advanced reader copy of this exquisite novel!

I'll start the review with a caveat - I love Mary Kay Andrew's books. But wow. This was my favorite to date and I could not put it down.

I absolutely loved the way the story shifted between multiple character's POV - including one that surprised me (I can't really say anything more without spoiling a plot twist).

This is a great beach read - or a great rainy day curl up on the sofa read. While there is a bit of romance as a backstory - the main plots are all mystery and and even thriller. I loved that MKA seems to be pushing her writing further into the thriller genre - similar to her original series with Callahan Garrity.

Overall, the writing was excellent, characters superbly developed, and the plot twisty.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Another great book by the great MKA! I love how the author has an older female protagonist as well as a younger main character. The bad characters surprised me with the depth of their evilness….lol! This author is always a sure thing for me. Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Traci Eddings is the widowed owner of the Saint. A popular resort owned by the Eddings family for years. Her husband passed away and she stayed owner/operator of the business. The problem is Ric, her late husband’s brother, who is a jerk. To be honest, the whole family is horrible. She misses her husband because he wasn’t like the rest.

She hires new staff for the upcoming season and they all seem to have come from complicated life situations. This job gives them new meaning and a place to stay, work and meet friends. Until…a murder happens shortly into the season and now one of them is gone.

I am surprised that this story took the course that it did. At first glance, it appeared to be more of a fun and flirty summer romance but it is far from that. I love the mystery and suspense building throughout and the characters are full of life. They are believable whether they are likable or easy to hate. Some are very easy to despise which is necessary for the story to be as engaging as it is.

However, we do see some romance too! This book has it all. I would love to see a limited series come out of this book. Think of The White Lotus meets Dynasty and how popular those shows were. There’s no doubt Summers at the Saint would measure up just fine.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC of this book.

Super- excited to share my first review of an advanced copy. Thanks so much to Net Galley for my copy of Summers at The Saint! Reading it in winter offers a nice escape. The Saint is an old resort in South Carolina. It's owned by a family who has had its share of sadness. Naomi's husband grew up at the Saint, & she grew up as an A'int in town, but they fell in love when she worked there as a teenager. When he dies in a plane accident, she takes over the running of the hotel.
​As the summer picks up, Naomi gets to know some new employees, including one who is trying to figure out a sad chapter from the Saints' past. There's a death, and the pace of the plot picks up quickly from there. This book has it all- some mystery, a smidge of romance, & plenty of drama. I also enjoyed the descriptions of flowers & fresh seafood- definitely part of seaside escapism for me. I've read a few of Mary Kay Andrews' books in the past, & this one didn't disappoint.

This was a fun read about a murder at the famous Saint hotel on St. Cecelia Island, Georgia. The owner must hire some new faces for the upcoming season, and as she does, trouble ensues. There are in-law issues, there are employees issues, there are friend issues. There's a light romance, as well.

This book could have been edited down a bit - I got a little bogged down, and "ready to be done" about halfway through. I stuck with it and the action did happen in the last few pages. I was hoping for a more compelling mystery. The ending was satisfying, so I'm glad I made it through.

Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read and review Summers at the Saint.

Summers at the Saint

I honestly do not think that Mary Kay Andrews can ever write a novel that I will not absolutely love!

Summers at the Saint is a beautifully told story of the "Saints" and the "Ain'ts".

I could not put the book down once I started reading it. Traci Eddings is the underdog and is in constant battle with her Brother-in-law and his wife, Ric & Madelyn Eddings. Traci has a special bond with her niece Parrish and convinces Parrish to work at The Saint for the summer instead of going off to Europe. Traci also wants a change at the resort and hires new head chef Felice and Olivia Grayson to work in the restaurant. She also constructs a dorm for the staff to live to make it more enticing, affordable and convenient to attract and maintain new staff.

You quickly discover that there seems to be under the table dealings happening at the Saint and Traci is not in the know about any of it. The long time people, who she considered friends and like family, are the ones that are betraying her. Will she figure it all out before its to late?

Murder, Sabotage, Lies and Deceit all are at the fore front of the storyline but what I loved the best about this book is the loyalty and friendships between the ladies, Traci, Shannon, Parrish, Livvy, & Felice.

Great Summer Read for those that need one!

Overall 5.0 rating.

Thank you to St. Martin's Publishing Group, Mary Kay Andrews, Kejana Ayala & NetGalley for my free ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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Character Notes:

Charlie Burroughs - GM - didn't like him at the very start of the book.

Traci Eddings- married hoke Eddings. the good brother, and inherited the "Saint" business after Hoke died in a plane crash.

Hoke Eddings - Traci husband who died in a Helicopter crash - the nice brother.

Parrish Eddings - niece to Traci - Ric is dad and Madelyn is step mom. Both evil characters from the start in my opinion.

Ric (Frederick) Eddings - Parrish dad and sister-in-law is Traci. he was Hoke's older brother and runs a portion of the business.

Olivia Grayson - mom is Shannon - Traci poached to work at the saint.

Shannon - mom to Olivia aka "livvy" and used to be best friends with Traci until an incident broke their friendship apart

Felice Bonpierre- Stolen food truck, credit card stolen by boyfriend Dione. Left her all along at a motel. Traci brings her on as new head chef at the saint.

Kevin John Parkhurst (KJ) - spoiled rich kid who is given a job at the saint to do the grunt work to teach him a lesson.

Spenser & Betsy - KJ parents

Garrett - head waiter at the verandah - not a nice person.

On the surface this book appears to be your typical summer read. It is so much more - beach read combined with mystery. It was definitely a pleasant surprise.

This is the story of Traci Eddings who is trying to run a hotel despite losing her husband in a tragic accident. Traci and her crew of young, vibrant personalities make this story intriguing. This is the perfect balance between beach read and mystery.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martins for the ARC for my honest opinion. Once again, I will be looking forward to Mary Kay Andrews next novel!

I was so excited to get approved to read Summers at The Saint, and it did not disappoint. This novel thrived on so many levels. It’s fun, it’s clever and it’s mysterious - the trifecta of a good book.

The Saint Cecilia Hotel, known to the locals as The Saint, is a high-end resort for the rich. Traci Eddings inherits the job of CEO after her husband dies in a plane wreck. As she struggles to keep the hotel running post-pandemic, she hires what she believes to be a great crew of newbies. But things aren’t always what they appear to be.

This book kept me turning page after page late into the night. It’s quite suspenseful and intriguing. If you’re looking for a great beach read, this would be the perfect choice. Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this 5-star book.

—Thank you so much to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the chance to review an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.


This is actually a cozy mystery with romantic elements in it. It was unexpected yet it was so good!
I loved the many perspectives and the genre blending story telling.

Wow, what a cute and captivating story "Summers at the Saint" turned out to be! I'm all in for suspenseful tales, and this one had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish.
Mary Kay Andrews weaves a narrative that's not just a murder mystery but also a rollercoaster of family drama and a sprinkle of romance. The multiple storylines add a layer of complexity that keeps you hooked, though I'll admit, it took a moment to catch up with all the characters and their perspectives.
The plot is intriguing right from the get-go. Two lifeguards, Traci and Shannon, working for the "saints" among the affluent crowd!
Fast forward a few years, and Traci's life takes a turn when she marries into the family that owns the resort. The joy is short-lived as tragedy strikes, leaving Traci to manage the struggling hotel on her own.
The mix of mystery, shady histories, and the challenges of running a high-end resort in a post-pandemic world adds layers to the story. Traci, along with her crew of young employees, becomes the heart of "The Saint Cecelia." Their struggles to maintain the legacy of the resort while dealing with suspicious activities create a compelling narrative.
Sure, the start might be a bit busy with numerous points of view, but once you settle in, it's an absolute delight. Mary Kay Andrews creates a perfect balance between the suspenseful mysteries and the warmth of summer vibes. It's like a literary vacation you never want to end.

This was on the longer side but a great balance of chick lit and mystery. Really enjoyed it!

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC!

This was almost a 5 star read for me because I did really love the second half of the book. It was so engaging and thrilling. I didn’t want to put it down! The only reason it’s not a 5 star read for me is because I felt the book started off very slow. I struggled to get into it at first. Around 40% of the way through, something BIG happens and that’s when I got hooked!

This story is centered around Traci Eddings. As a teen, she worked as a lifeguard at “The Saint”, a five-star hotel resort along the coast. While working alongside her best friend Shannon, an 8 year old boy drowned. Shannon was fired, but because Traci was engaged to the resort owner’s son, Hoke, she was allowed to continue working. Because of this, Traci & Shannon stopped being friends. Years later, Hoke is killed in a tragic plane crash, leaving Traci to run the resort. A staff member ends up murdered and the circumstances around it are very mysterious…

Big thanks to @netgalley & @stmartinspress for granting me this ARC! Highly recommend grabbing this one when it officially comes out May 7th!!