Member Reviews
Actually more like 4.5 ⭐️. This book was so good a perfect summer beach read. It had everything you could ask for romance, drama, a little mystery, heartbreak. I was immersed into the world of being at the Saint Cecilia in Georgia.
This book follows many different characters and their journey of a summer at the Saint Cecilia resort in Georgia. We meet characters like Traci, who lost her husband four years earlier in a tragic accident. You have,Livvy, who is trying to make her own way in the world. Feliz, who is trying to get a better life for herself. Plus a slew of other characters who make the story so worth it. I would highly recommend to anyone who just wants to read a good well written, well-rounded story.
My only small complaint, and not even a complaint, but I will say it starts off, pretty slow as you’re being introduced to all of the characters in the story. Once you actually get into the meet of this book which I’d say is about 30% and you cannot put it down.
"Summers at the Saint" by Mary Kay Andrews is a must-read for fans of the author's novels. The story follows Traci, a widow managing the upscale Saint Cecelia hotel while facing judgment from her late husband's family. Traci seeks solace in the hotel but encounters challenges with cunning employees. The book immerses readers in its world through vivid imagery, making it feel like you're right there. Packed with elements of romance, murder, deceit, friendship, and family drama, the plot unfolds with a mix of emotions and surprises. The characters are diverse, adding depth and variety to the narrative. Andrews weaves a compelling tale that keeps readers engaged with its blend of intrigue and relatable situations. "Summers at the Saint" is a captivating and diverse story that captivates with its rich storytelling and a range of compelling characters.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Mary Kay Andrews, and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read "Summers at the Saint."
This has probably been my favorite book by Mary Kay Andrews. The story builds by adding a big cast of characters and weaves them together with a bit if mystery. It kept me guessing!
Another excellent Mary Kay Andrews novel in a beautiful setting!
This novel has it all: an island resort off the coast of Georgia with a storied history, an entitled, wealthy family that leaves a trail of tragedy spanning multiple decades in its wake. A mysterious death at the Saint hits close to home for the resort's widowed CEO and leads to the Saint's many secrets coming to light. Summers at the Saint has great characters, a lovely setting, heartwarming friendships, a bit of new love and multiple mysteries. It's Mary Kay Andrews doing what she does best, bringing to life an entertaining cast of characters in an intriguing story. I devoured this one and was not able to put it down.
Many thanks to the author, St, Martin's Press and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of this delightful novel!
The St. Cecelia is a five star hotel in Georgia. The hotel is just scrapping by at the moment and low on staff. Then a tragic death occurs and a group of employees is set on figuring out what happened.
This is different from any other Mary Kay Andrew’s book I read. There wasn’t as much romance. As always, I feel in love with the characters and intrigued to figure out the who and why behind the murder.
Thank you to Mary Kay Andrews, the published and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for a honest review.
I’m always surprised when I read a Mary Kay Andrews novel. I see the cute covers and am expecting a fun summer beach read, and then wham, somebody is dead!
This story kept me deeply invested. Even when I thought I knew big secret, that was just too easy to figure out, the author surprised me with how wrong I was. I should realize I shouldn’t take anything for granted when reading this author. She likes to keep me guessing.
I really liked Traci. I thought she was a strong person. She’s been through a lot, and has been doing everything possible to keep her late husband’s legacy alive. Who knew so many would be working against her? I’m happy with how her story turned out, and can’t help but wish the best for this fictional character.
I can’t wait for the next Mary Kay Andrews novel where I will once again be fooled into expecting a light-hearted beach read – right up until the first body shows up.
4.5/5⭐️
Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read and review this ARC!
MKA is one of my all-time favorite authors, and one of the few authors that I will preorder every book the second they’re available and go back to reread later. This book is a throwback to the “classic” MKA whodunnit mysteries that drew me in so many years ago. She is a master at setting a scene and commanding a large cast of characters (or suspects), and this book such a beautiful setting of a family-owned luxury resort on a fictional island off the coast of Georgia.
I enjoyed the multiple POVs of Traci, Livvy, Parrish, and Whelan, and the dual mysteries at the center of the plot - one current and one from many years ago - kept things exciting. There were a few characters I wasn’t a fan of (as intended), and there was one character (and another very minor character) whose actions were not justified by their motivations, in my opinion, which is why I took off half a star.
Thank you to Netgalley, St Martin's press, and to Mary Kay Andrews for this ARC copy.
I have read all of Mary Kay Andrews books so when I saw this on the list I crossed my fingers really tight hoping I would get the chance at this new copy. It worked!!
Mary Kay in her typical fashion gives a light hearted fun read with some mystery thrown in. Also she sets the scene for a beautiful place anyone would want to travel another great Mark Kay requirement.
This book has a lot of characters to keep up with but that doesnt take away from a great read. This read is a little darker from her typical taste of writing. But I love dark and mysterious! I highly recommend giving this book a shot if you are a Andrews fan as she always does great work.
This is going to be a summer smash! Warmed me right up on these cold winter nights. Mary Kay is a league of her ow.n.
LOVED THIS BOOK! I was hooked immediately and couldn’t put it down! So many twists and turns and the unexpected. People are going to love this book!
Written by Mary Kay Andrews, I was expecting the typical beach read that would be a romance or tom-com, something light and fluffy. But to my delightful surprise, this book is like no other that she has written and is full of substance and complexities that hooks you in as you become embroiled in the characters quest for justice in solving the unjust events happening at the The Saints, a summer resort. MKA sets up the story by letting you know all the players at the beginning and then slowly rolls out the mystery of what is really going on at The Saints. What should be just a tale of a beachy romance while working at a summer resort becomes so much more when nefarious activities abound. Multi-layered characters, karma, an appeal for second chances, rekindled friendships, and new beginnings made this such an enjoyable read. Although sometimes predictable, I think this book would generate a great discussion in a book club, different for what you would first think. This is one of my favorite MKA books yet. Many thanks to #netGalley #marykayandrews #summersatthesaints for the opportunity to read and review this book.
This is the PERFECT read for your beach bag this summer! It has everything you want-- a resort setting, rich family drama, murder, romance, intrigue! I loved spending some time with the staff of the Saint resort. The author introduces multiple POV in the first few chapters and it initially felt like it might be too many, but that passed after those initial chapters. While this story was long at over 400 pages, I found myself endeared to these characters and invested in their storylines. This is my favorite Mary Kay Andrews novel yet (Homewreckers is a close second) and I will be recommending it to everyone for their summer reading!
I was so excited to get an advanced copy of Mary Kay Andrews newest novel. A bit mystery and romance set at the beachside resort The Saint. While this did not seem like the normal novel that MKA writes, like all over other books it drew me right in! I loved the setting and the wide cast of characters. As always, another winner!
Pack your beach bag now and leave room for this book! Andrew's SUMMERS AT THE SAINT is going to be the summer's beach mystery read.
This novel is full of summer excitement, family secrets, and even a murder. After her husband dies, Traci Eddings, helps run his family beach resort, The Saint. She has a big responsiblity to fill when a neighboring resort starts taking their employees and customers. Traci begins to try to turn around the resort by improving the working environment and hiring new employees. Little does she know that there are dishonest employees and family secrets that will only muddy waters. Her brother-in-law, Ric, doesn't make her job any easier by trying to keep business affairs from her.
Traci hires her childhood best friend's daughter to work at the resort. Her mother is very upset and is afraid for her daughter to work at The Saint because of the drowning that happened there when she was a teeenager. Traci's niece, Parrish, also stays to work at the resort during the summer. Things unravel fast, when a murder investigation and a fire on the resort take place. Secrets start coming out and things begin heating up.
Andrews has beautifully written another summer novel that you cannot put down.
Thank you NetGalley and the Publisher for an advance copy of Summers at the Saint by Mary Kay Andrews!
This cover drew me in to this one but I was a little disappointed. I was expecting a sort of summer beach read with a dash of romance but instead got lots of characters, a murder to solve, theft and attempted murder. It was just a lot to follow and it started to feel like a chore to read. this one just wasn't for me. (less)
The Saint Cecelia is casually referred to as “The Saint”, and if you’re lucky enough to summer at this beautiful island resort and hotel, you’re often referred to as “a Saint”. If you’re from the wrong side of the river, you’re “an Ain’t”. Traci Eddings grew up as “an Ain’t”, a kid who worked there one summer and who just so happened to marry the love of her life, Hoke, an heir to the hotel & it’s fortunes. Now an adult and a widower, Traci runs the day-to-day operations of The Saint, working hard to return the hotel to its glory days. She’s hired a rag-tag group of summer employees to help her turn things around, including the daughter of her former best friend. A decades-old drowning at the hotel becomes relevant again when new information becomes available. There are many things stacked against Traci, so can she pull it off and save The Saint? What happens over the course of the summer is a tale of family drama and deception, a tragic death, friendship, and love, complete with many twists.
Summers At The Saint was a quick, engaging, and well-rounded read. Both character- and plot-driven, I had a hard time putting this one down. Best read near the beach, while enjoying the sun :)
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for making this book available.
Perfect summer read! I did not put this book down until I finished. I was drawn in and intrigued by each new character and their development . Started off strong and finished with some twists and turns (some I saw coming and others were a surprise). Finished this book in an afternoon as I had to know what happened next as I finished each chapter..
From the opening pages, we’re brought into the life of Trish Eddings and her very complicated and long standing relationship with the Saint, a 5-star exclusive resort on the Georgia coast. Needless to say, there are A LOT of things going on at the Saint, and the well developed cast of characters takes the reader on a journey of intrigue, mystery, and yes a bit of romance. This is a perfect book to add to your summer TBR list from on my own personal go to authors!
Thank you @NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC! It was a joy to read a beach read in January.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an ARC of this novel.
I tend to gravitate toward psychological thrillers with the majority of my book picks. Every so often, though, I like to throw in some chick lit as a palate cleanser. Turns out the joke was on me this time. This book had legit thriller/mystery vibes throughout, which I naturally loved. If you like chick lit with a bit of a mysterious component, you’ll likely enjoy this one. 4⭐️s!
Traci Eddings is the widowed owner of the St. Cecilia hotel, known as "the Saint". She is trying to return the hotel to its former glory, even though financial struggles and staff shortages. threaten to ruin it. She is fighting her greedy, unscrupulous brother in law who would love to see her fail. She enlists the help of a motley crew of recently hired summer help - including the daughter of her estranged best friend. New information from a long ago drowning comes up and the death of a loved one add to the mystery.
I really enjoyed this story. You know when you read a book by Mary Kay Andrews you will get lots of fun characters, with a little bit of mystery, all in a great location! This was a great story. It made me feel like I was in that resort, on that beach, in the middle of winter. Thanks to Netgalley for a copy of the book.