I really enjoyed "Summers at the Saint" by Mary Kay Andrews! Such a feel-good story about the passion for a resort which has a meaningful history and standing in the community. Family drama, friendships broken by mysterious circumstances, digging for the truth, much sabotage, as well as love and hard work. This book was interesting and enjoyable. Thank you NetGalley, the author and publisher for the review copy. All opinions are my own.

Summer at The Saint by Mary Kay Andrews is another summer hit! Ms. Andrews always has relatable, humorous, engaging characters with a twist of mystery. A guaranteed great book to take to the beach!

Summers at the Saint is about St. Cecelia hotel and the person who runs it, Traci Eddings. The Saint is a staple in the town, it's exclusive and high class. Traci never had the money to vacation there growing up, but she did work there, meet the owners son, and marry him. He took over running The Saint, and when he passed away, way too young, the job was left to Traci. By that point The Saint had gone way down hill and she was struggling to keep the place afloat. As with so many of Mary Kay Andrews's books there is a nice balance of murder, romance, and family drama. I liked this story, it was an easy read and something I would recommend to any fan of Mary Kay Andrews.

Very cute book! I enjoyed it very much and could not wait to read to the end. There were some unpredictable twists and turns, and I was saddened by one death, but it kept me feeling suspenseful. The story line for the love life of the Traci was fun to follow…I was rooting for her for sure. This mystery book had an element of friendship, love, families and relationships. The characters were well developed and made me want to know them more. Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC of this book given to me in trade for my honest review.

The cover and description of this book led me to believe this would be a light hearted beach read, but I soon realized that there was more to it than I first thought. There were several sinister subplots that made this book sit outside my normal reading comfort level. Although I love a good mystery, this had a seedy underbelly that I was not fond of. Of course, Mary Kay Andrews is an excellent writer and makes the reader fully invested in the characters and had me rooting for Traci throughout. If you like your beach reads with a side of mystery you might like this one.

In "Summers at the Saint," Mary Kay Andrews delivers a captivating tale set in an oceanside resort town. The story revolves around Traci Eddings, a widow now running the historic St. Cecelia, affectionately known as "the Saint." Once a local "townie," Traci fell in love with and married the son of the resort's owner, who tragically died in a plane crash. Traci's battle to keep the resort afloat against new competitors sets the stage for this engaging narrative.

Central to the plot are the tensions between the summer residents and the locals, as well as Traci's strained relationship with her antagonistic father-in-law and brother-in-law, Ric. Traci's only ally is Ric’s daughter, Parrish, whom she persuades to postpone her European semester abroad to help save the resort. The Saint’s fate hinges on Parrish’s assistance as the hotel faces a critical staff shortage.

Andrews skillfully depicts the resort's demanding guests, with their high expectations and luxurious lifestyles, creating a vivid backdrop for the unfolding drama. Parrish’s interactions with disgruntled customers and her navigation of the resort’s challenges are masterfully presented, hinting at deeper issues within the Saint.

The novel’s structure alternates characters' perspectives, maintaining a brisk pace that keeps readers hooked. At over 400 pages this is a chunky book. However, the story is so compelling that it's easy to devour in a single sitting. Andrews crafts a plot filled with rogue actors, where some villains are surprisingly effective while others are heartbreakingly inept.

The novel's satisfying ending leaves readers longing to visit the Saint, relax under the pink and white striped umbrellas, watch the sunset, and dine in the elegant Verandah restaurant. "Summers at the Saint" epitomizes the perfect beach read, offering intrigue, well-drawn and likable characters, a protagonist to root for, and a touch of romance.

This was such a fun read with plenty of summer vibes! While it's a little longer in length than I might normally choose, I flew through this novel and truly enjoyed "getting to know" all of the characters and the ways in which their lives intersected throughout the story. I also love that it's got a little bit of everything: mystery; romance; family/relationships'; spoiled, rich summer vacationers; local flavor; and several unexpected turns. Highly recommend for summer reading!

Mary Kay Andrews delivers another delightful beach read with *Summers at the Saint*. This novel is a charming blend of romance, mystery, and Southern charm that transports readers to the idyllic setting of the Saint, a historic beachfront hotel.

Riley is a compelling and relatable protagonist. Her journey of rediscovery, both personal and professional, is engaging and heartfelt. The secondary characters are equally well-drawn, adding depth and warmth to the story. The relationships, particularly the blossoming romance, are beautifully developed and feel authentic.

One of the highlights of the novel is Andrews' knack for blending light-hearted moments with more serious themes. The mystery element adds an intriguing layer to the plot, keeping readers guessing and turning pages. The pacing is well-balanced, with enough twists and turns to maintain interest without overshadowing the central narrative of personal growth and love.

However, some plot points may feel a bit predictable to seasoned readers of the genre. Despite this, Andrews’ charming writing style and the richly developed setting more than make up for any predictability.

Overall, *Summers at the Saint* is a delightful read that perfectly captures the essence of summer. It’s a heartwarming story about love, legacy, and the power of home, making it a perfect addition to your beach bag. Mary Kay Andrews once again proves why she’s a beloved author in contemporary women's fiction. Highly recommended for fans of feel-good, engaging summer reads!

This was only the second book I've read by this author. My previous experience and the cover of this book both led me to believe that this would be a light and fluffy read. I was completely unprepared for the very serious turn this took. With all that said, this ended up being an unexpected suspenseful read that I truly enjoyed.

I'm looking forward to reading more books by Mary Kay Andrews in the future. I have clearly been missing out.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Thanks @macmillan.audio for the audio arc! This is one of those books where I had a whole different mind set on where I thought it was going and was pleasantly surprised with the scandalous twist. This is my first @marykayandrews book (😳) and loved her wit and humor in her writing too!

Read if you enjoy-
☀️beach reads with a bit of scandal
☀️coastal setting (Georgia)
☀️MKA warmth + humor
“𝘐𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘸 𝘶𝘱 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦, 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘢 “𝘚𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘵”. 𝘐𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳, 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘯 “𝘈𝘪𝘯’𝘵”

#macaudio2024 #arc #marykayandrews #summersatthesaint #bookrecommendations #bookreview #audiobook #beachread

This book took me by surprise in the nicest way. I’ll be honest—my cynical side expected sappy, but I was soon immersed in a story of family secrets, infidelity and money troubles.

Traci and her friend Shannon grew up wanting to be a part of the Saint. When they were old enough, they got jobs as lifeguards. However, one awful incident resulted in Shannon being fired. Traci went on to marry the owner’s son and her friendship with Shannon fell apart.

Now years later, Traci is running the saint as a widow and trying to keep the place out of the red. She spends the money to provide free housing to her staff and hires some enthusiastic young women to work for her. One woman just happens to be her niece, Parrish.

Parrish is observant and carries around a small notebook of things she needs to check into. Little does she know how important the notebook will come to be before the summer ends.

I must say I was a bit disappointed at what happened to one of my favorite characters, but the story kept me guessing and I did not think the ending was predictable, except for the romantic connection.

This was one of my favorite reads of the summer. I highly recommend this one to my reader friends.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for allowing me to read a copy. I am happy to give my honest review.

Review: Summers at the Saint by Mary Kay Andrews
Summers at the Saint may look like a fluffy beach read but it has a little bit of everything - murder, decades long secrets, affairs, scheming, family drama, friendship and romance. The hotel element especially reminded me of The Hotel Nantucket but it lacked some of the wit and finesse Elin's book had. I would have enjoyed it more with a little more editing, it was way too long and had too much going on. I saw a review that compared it to a soap opera and I couldn't agree more -  just when you thought the book was slowing down, BAM, another twist came for shock value.

In Summers at the Saint, you get a beach read that covers romance, murder, family drama, mystery, wealthy people being bad and a bit of revenge. It has a bit of everything and it keeps you wanting to keep reading right till the end. I really enjoyed the characters in this one. Traci, our main character is very likable. She lost her husband a few years ago and has been in charge of the "Saint," a glitzy hotel that only rich people can afford. Her brother-in-law doesn't like her because she isn't rich and is an "Ain't."

Enter the drama! There is a mystery involving a boy who drowned years ago. There is a current murder. There is changing of wills so that the rich can keep their secrets to themselves. And it all weaves together nicely and comes together perfectly. At the beginning it seemed like there was a lot of characters, but they were easy to keep straight.

This isn't the light beach read I thought. There's nothing light about the subject matter or any of the characters. It did still have the author's signature mature adult romance, self-discovery, and a little mystery I expected and always enjoy. The book starts by introducing A LOT of characters and their individual points of view. In fact there were so many I almost gave up because most are in their early 20s and immature. On the other hand it might very well represent that age perfectly but something I didn't personally enjoy reading. Ultimately it didn't take too long to keep everyone straight but I found myself skimming to get to the overall plot. I really needed to know!! I'll admit in the end I was in the ballpark and guessed the why but did miss the whodunnit.

Summers at the Saint by Mary Kay Andrews is an evocative blend of romance, family drama, and mystery, set in the charming yet troubled St. Cecelia hotel, known as "the Saint," on the Georgia coast. The story follows Traci Eddings, a woman who has married into the wealthy Eddings family and now faces the daunting task of restoring the family’s historic hotel amidst numerous personal and financial challenges.

The plot kicks off with Traci grappling with the death of her stepson, Parrish. The loss is a heavy burden that colors her every decision and interaction. Her goal to revive the Saint is met with numerous obstacles, including the unscrupulous actions of her brother-in-law, who has his own designs on the property.

As Traci works to save the Saint, she uncovers long-buried secrets about a mysterious drowning that occurred decades earlier. This revelation not only adds tension to the storyline but also provides deeper insights into the Eddings family's dark past. The mystery of the drowning becomes a central plot point, revealing unexpected connections and hidden motives among the characters.

The arrival of the summer staff, including the estranged daughter of Traci's former best friend, adds another layer of complexity to the narrative. These relationships are fraught with old wounds and new tensions, but they also offer moments of reconciliation and growth.

One of the novel’s pivotal moments is when Traci discovers that her brother-in-law has been sabotaging her efforts to restore the Saint. This betrayal pushes her to the brink, forcing her to confront both her grief and her determination to honor her late stepson’s memory by saving the hotel. In a climactic showdown, Traci manages to outmaneuver her brother-in-law, securing the future of the Saint and finding a renewed sense of purpose.

Amidst the drama, there are tender moments of romance and personal connection. Traci's relationship with a charming local historian blossoms, providing her with emotional support and a hopeful outlook for the future. Their romance is a sweet counterpoint to the novel’s more intense scenes, adding a layer of warmth and optimism.

In the end, Summers at the Saint is a richly woven tapestry of love, loss, and resilience. Andrews' skillful storytelling ensures that the reader is invested in Traci's journey, rooting for her as she navigates the complexities of family loyalty and personal redemption. The novel’s resolution is both satisfying and heartwarming, making it a perfect summer read that lingers long after the final page is turned.

I love MKA. Her novels are always fun and interesting. This one did not disappoint! Great story! Great characters!

A great Summer read by Mary Kay Andrews. Each of her books make you love summer and the events that happen in the summer. This book has a good mystery that will keep you turning the pages.

Thank you to St Martin's Press and NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review. I was so excited to read this one and was not disappointed. I look forward to all of her new releases and this was no exception. Such great summer reads. I always recommend her books and won't stop. 5 stars as always.

Another winner by Andrews with a twisty set of back stories coming full circle in the present. I'm anticipating a big demand from our library's patrons.

Y’all know I LOVE me some MKA. Her books are the perfect balance of southern nostalgia, snark, and intrigue. Summers at the Saint is no exception. This one is darker than MKA’s previous novels and I love that. She pulls off dark and twisted in a completely unexpected way. If you want the perfect whodunit beach read, this one is for you!!