MKA is the queen of southern sass, family drama, and mystery. This book is perfect for your next beach read!

As per usual, this book is a mystery to be solved. I feel like the murder mystery kicks the typical beach read up a notch and keeps the reader engaged. Usually I am not one to read fiction books over 400 plus pgs, but with MKA it is no problem.

Traci is a former resident of the town where she She married the resort owner's son and now returns to the town after being widowed. To keep her sane, she has her best friend who used to work with her at the resort as kids.

Filled with tension & drama this book will keep you entertained!

Thank you to NG & ST MARTIN'S PRESS FOR the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my opinion & review

I have been totally in love with the MKA summer novels over the last few years. MKA is tapping into her "whodunnit" roots and SUMMERS AT THE SAINT does not disappoint. When Tracie inherited the Cecelia Hotel and Resort after the untimely death of her husband Hoke, it's been fraught with trials and hardships. But Tracie makes some changes and is sure this summer will be different, except it isn't. There are mysterious deaths, fires, affairs, swindlers, scandals, and of course, a touching love connection woven in. This wonderful novel kept me guessing and turning pages well into the night. If you prefer a beach read that gives you way more than a sappy romance, then I highly recommend SUMMERS AT THE SAINT!

Summer was fast approaching and Traci Eddings was going over the plans for the upcoming season. She was the CEO of the St. Cecelia or the Saint as it was known by the locals. Growing up, she lived across the causeway from the island where the St. Cecelia was located. The Saint was an exclusive resort. Only members or someone connected could vacation there. As a teen, Traci often worked at the Saint in many different staff positions. She loved her summers working there. Traci met and later married Hoke Eddings, one of the sons of the owners of the resort. The Eddings family never treated her as one of their own, but was forced to treat her like she was one of them when Hoke suddenly died and Traci took over running the Saint.

Hiring enough staff to meet the guests' needs was one of Traci's first priorities. She hired her niece, Parrish, as the guest relations liaison. Parrish had worked at the Saint in the past and was very familiar with the property. Parrish started to notice discrepancies in the hotel's management when guests came to her to complain about issues they were having. Felice, the new chef in the Saint's main restaurant, had suspicions about some of their food suppliers as well. Before either could look deeper into their concerns, a tragedy happened that changed everyone's focus.

This story had a lot of characters and a lot of moving parts. I am not sure all of the characters or plot lines were necessary, but they kept the story moving. I liked Traci. She was diligent and hard working. The Eddings family was mostly horrible. It was easy to see them as villains. Traci's love interest, Whelan, was a nice addition to the story, but I felt his storyline was unnecessary. He could have been easily added to the main plot. The secondary characters, especially Parrish, Livvy, Felice, and Shannon worked well into the story. Overall, this was an enjoyable read and will be released just in time for summer.

I received an e-ARC for Summers at the Saint and want to thank Mary Kay Andrews, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for the opportunity to voluntarily read and give an honest review of this book. Summers at the Saint will be published on May 7, 2024.

Is there any time of the year that MKA can't master? I just finished "Bright Lights, Big Christmas" not long ago and thought she was the perfect Christmassy author. Turns out, I was wrong. She's just an excellent all-the-time author. Her writing is always precise with character development, plot lines, and emotion. You can feel what the characters feel because of her talent. I loved this book!

This book was so much more than I expected. It has intrigue, mystery and suspense. I found myself holding my breath a few times. There are a couple really sad chapters in the book. The character development was rich. This was a fantastic book! I enjoyed reading this book so much. I was glued to the pages. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Thanks for the review copy. At first I felt like there were too many characters to keep track of but it ended up working out. Some of the book was a little predictable but I liked it overall.

This was my first Mary Kay Andrews book. I can’t believe I’d waited this long. This book had everything mystery, suspense, whodunit, romance, found family, all the things I love.

In a coastal town in GA, you’re either a Saint or an Ain’t. The rich Saints summer at the exclusive island while across the causeway, the rest of the town are the Aint’s. This story follows multiple people and switches POV. There is a rich family riddled with secrets, a man on a search for truth, young adults trying to start out, a widow trying to hold onto what’s left of her husband‘s legacy.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

Traci Eddings is preparing for the summer at her deceased husband’s family’s exclusive resort, The Saint Cecelia. Traci’s main focus is to keep the resort afloat. Left short staffed as the summer season approaches, Traci convinces her husband’s niece, Parrish, to run guest relations. Traci assembles a staff of newbies. Everything seems to be off to a great success but things at The Saint are not what seems to be. Generations of secrets start to unravel. Friendships are tested. Who should you trust?

Mary Kay Andrews once again has us on the edge of our seats. Part mystery, part National Enquirer scandal. This story hooks you from the beginning. I read the entire book in 3 days! MKA’s characters have you feeling every emotion. She does an exceptional job of writing characters we love and characters we love to hate. A summer must read!

4.25 - While Summers at the Saint gets darker than I expected at points based on the cover and other MKA titles, it's still worth throwing in your beach bag in 2024!

I loved the resort setting and the strong female lead who wasn't afraid to stand up to her powerful inlaws. It's definitely more mystery than romance, and for me, the mystery elements were more well done than the romance. Pick it up when you're ready to escape reality and feel like you're in a five-star beach hotel solving a crime!

Mark your calendars, MKA treats us to a fabulous summer (we’ll really anytime) red with Summers at the Saint. A great, female driven plot line along with a mystery that keeps you guessing and a fabulous setting makes this a must read!

"Summers at the Saint" is like stepping into a magical story set in a charming seaside 🏨 in Florida. Ellis, the main character, unfolds family secrets while working at the hotel, and the tale is nothing short of enchanting. Mary Kay Andrews brings out the very heart of ☀️ summer and family dynamics, surprising us with unexpected twists that keep you hooked.

The descriptions of the coastal surroundings are so vivid; you can almost feel the waves gently caressing the shore, the refreshing sea breeze, and the warmth of the ☀️ sun as it plays on the horizon.

But it's not just about the picturesque setting. The novel delves deep into family relationships with a heartfelt touch. The characters' connections are portrayed with such authenticity that you can easily immerse yourself in their experiences. The unfolding mysteries add a thrilling layer, and the romance weaves seamlessly into the narrative, making the story all the more captivating. 💖

In the end, if you're looking for a contemporary read that combines mystery, romance, and an immersive experience into a beautiful coastal setting, "Summers at the Saint" is definitely a must-read! 📖✨

A beach read, mystery, romance, with some comedy, all in one book! The characters are great and I found myself really invested in what happens to them. I love any book Mary Kay Andrews writes, her sense of humor really comes through in her writing. Mary Kay can do no wrong! A must read. #SummersattheSaint #NetGalley

Traci and Shannon hail from Bonaventure, a blue-collar neighborhood, only to discover the stark social divide within their close-knit community, with the affluent residing on Cecilia Island at the opulent Saint Cecelia Resort complex. Despite feeling relegated to the less privileged side of the causeway, the course of their lives takes an unexpected turn at the age of 19 when both secure positions as lifeguards at the resort. This transformative summer experience becomes a pivotal juncture, altering the trajectory of their futures.

Traci's life unfolds as she marries Hoke Eddings, the grandson of the resort's founder. Tragically, at 40, she becomes a widow due to a plane crash that claims her beloved husband's life. Inheriting the hotel on the property, Traci steps into Hoke's shoes, assuming the responsibility of overseeing its management to ensure its continued success. Meanwhile, Shannon, now a nurse, navigates single motherhood while raising her daughter.

The narrative introduces a cast of strong and unforgettable characters, propelling readers through a tumultuous journey filled with unexpected twists and turns. The revelation of a long-guarded secret spanning two decades has the potential to reshape numerous lives. Despite a 20-year estrangement, Traci and Shannon find themselves thrust back into each other's lives due to a shocking discovery.

Mary Kay Andrews, a master storyteller, weaves a captivating tale that captivates readers with its complexity and heartfelt moments. While I've enjoyed every one of her books, I would appreciate it if some characters refrained from using profanity, as the stories remain just as engrossing and poignant without it.

Look at that inviting cover! The setting matched! Mary Kay is a phenomenal storyteller and I can count on her books to entertain me. This will make a great beach read. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

I always enjoy Mary Kay Andrew's books, and this was no exception! A perfect beach read with romance, intrigue, humor, and a great storyline kept me reading and guessing!

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the excellent ARC!

Thank you net galley and publisher for this ARC. This book had so many twists and turns that I didn't expect and I really enjoyed it. Initially I had a hard time getting into the book and found it difficult to keep all the characters straight.

Summer's At The Saint is the perfect beach read that offers humor, romance, and a spicy whodunit that will keep the reader guessing till the end.

This is the story of a grand beach hotel, a pink wedding cake on a seashore island in Georgia, over a hundred years old but still family owned, the Saint Cecelia. And, as with most resorts after the pandemic, it’s still struggling in a competitive market of chain resorts, not enough summertime workers, and management people with different priorities. But it has a competent CEO and owner, Tracie Eddings, a young widow who inherited the place where she was a lifeguard in her teens, later marrying the decent heir who was killed in a plane crash. She believes in the Southern coastal legacy of the hotel, quality of life for her employees and offering customers a true 5 star experience. Too bad she’s surrounded by evil conniving in-laws, good ole boy attitudes, decades old coverups and scandals, and an underlying suspicion that something’s not right. Which gets proven by an unexpected murder.

This has a cute cover, but it’s more “White Lotus” and “Succession” than “Beach Read.” The story is centered on Tracie, who was an “Ain’t” (an off island townie) before she was a “Saint” (a local elite member of the resort). She’s fiercely loyal to her new hires and frustrated by the hateful brother-in-law and his wife, who are rooting for her failure. You do get caught up in rooting for her and the hotel. The story is well-paced, has its twists, and an unexpected romance. I was initially hesitant about the length — 450 pages — but the narrative never dragged. 5 stars!

Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): NO Some blue ones and some puppy-dog eyes.
Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): YES Blue is not an impatiens color; purple, pink, white and variegated are standard, but not blue. And whether a hydrangea is blue or pink depends on the acidity of the soil — so you never have blue AND pink hydrangeas blooming together.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for a free advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review!

First off, the cover is beautiful and one I want on my shelves forever. The story was fast paced with short chapters, which had me finishing it in one day, even though it was quite lengthy. While there are a lot of characters, they all fall in place nicely and not confusing. It was giving Dirty Dancing, summer house vibes and I loved every minute of it.

Really good story about how the other side lives. Old money sometimes means terrible people. This was a story about a rich family that owned a beach resort and all the troubles they had and the crimes they were involved in.