It’s an impressive number: 37. That’s how many books Mary Kay Andrews has written including this one which comes out just in time for the beach.

It takes place at an exclusive resort on an island off of the beautiful Georgia coast. It’s just large enough for a bunch of wealthy club members to hang out at the beautiful pool, golf courses, shops and luxury hotel. This isn’t St. Simons Island. It’s a fictious place called, “Saint Cecelia.”

Everything was in pretty good shape until the pandemic rolled around and made a dent into the revenue lines. Now, Traci, who manages the hotel has a big challenge: her head chef and guest relations manager are leaving for higher wages at a resort in Hilton Head. She needs a good plan to quickly replace a few key positions in time for the summer crowd.

It all started 20 or so years ago when Traci and her good friend, Shannon, were lifeguards at this club for rich kids and their families. They worked for the “saints” when everyone else including Traci and Shannon on the coast were the “aint’s” of family money.

That was until a few years later when Traci married Hoke. His father owned the resort and she was beyond happy like she won the gold. But the reader knows something has to happen and it does: Hoke dies in a plane accident. Afterwards, Traci is still there managing the hotel even though it’s in the red. It’s a challenge and she knows she can get through it.

However, it’s not so easy. Hoke’s brother, Ric, is in charge of the real estate side of the business and his father with Parkinson’s is in a specialty care home. Ric is someone she doesn’t trust. Hang on tight as this story flows quickly into a murder mystery. The first few chapters gives the reader a clear picture of the main characters involved. She then moves on to the story with what I thought I could predict but…not quite.

Mary Kay Andrews has a style of her own and as I was reading, I could picture her fingers moving at a fast pace on a laptop and a smile on her face thinking: this is going to be a good one. And it is. While it’s entertaining, she points out the serious side of how difficult it is for restaurants and hotels to stay competitive. Sadly, the pandemic closed a lot of doors. Maybe it’s not my favorite of the many that she’s written, but it’s up there.

My thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book with an expected release date of May 7, 2024.

Just finished this amazing and delightful novel by new to me Mary Kay Andrews.
Yes, it might be 400 pages but I didn't let that stop me. There's just so much going on in this adventure.
Yes, I would read another Mary Kay Andrew's novel. I loved every minute of it.
And I loved the idea that my last name Parrish was used as a first name! How cool is that?!
There's a few characters in there that I wanted to strangle of course. Garrett, Madelyn and KJ.
I think my favorite part was the setting. She described that place so well that I felt like I was there.
I do agree with another reader that we could do without the profanity. I'd rather she use other words. In my opinion it would still be well received without that. Only thing I didn't like about the book. Otherwise, 5 stars
I highly recommend it! Great storyline with mystery mixed in to keep it going.
My thanks to Netgalley and St..Martin's for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Traci and Shannon grew up in Bonaventure, a working-class neighborhood, and when they were older, they realized there is a well-defined different social class in their small community. There are those who live in their neighborhood and those on Cecilia Island at the Saint Cecelia Resort complex. Traci and Shannon realize that they live on the wrong side of the causeway, however, at age 19 both Traci and Shannon got jobs at the resort as lifeguards. That summer experience changed the trajectory of both their lives.
Traci meets and marries Hoke Eddings, grandson of the founder of the beach resort, and Shannon, now a nurse, raises her baby daughter as a single mother. At age 40 Traci is a widow resulting from a tragic airplane accident that took the life of her bellowed husband. She inherits the hotel on the property and takes over Hoke’s role of overseeing the management and ensuring the success of the hotel.
All the main characters are strong and unforgettable. This story takes you on a a wild ride with many moving parts and surprising situations. The revelation of a tightly held secret of over twenty years has the potential of changing many lives. Traci and Shannon’s relationship has been estranged for over 20 years although they are brought back together as the result of a shocking discovery.
Mary Kay Andrews is a master storyteller and I’ve enjoyed every book of hers that I’ve read, although I would love it if some of her characters didn’t use profanity. Her stories would be just as fascinating and heartfelt.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All comments and opinions expressed are my own.

“Summers at the Saint” is a suspenseful, edge-of-your-seat story that kept me guessing until the last colorful sunset rose over the summer sky. Southern charm and hospitality are front and center as we join Traci Eddings, the CEO of “The Saint” as she welcomes summer, new employees, and the many guests who flock to Saint Cecelia for sun, sand and delicious food. This summer Traci needs a chef and a personable, unflappable individual to work at the guest relations desk. Her new chef sought her out as the lure of free on-site housing was too much to pass up. Traci didn’t have to go too far to find the perfect manager to greet the guests upon their arrival, and a new waitress arrived on the scene who was thrilled to be working at such an historic and iconic hotel.

Traci treats all of her employees as if they are part of her family and with any close-knit group there is bound to be drama, in-fighting, and deep, dark secrets that are best left in the past. Traci had her work cut out for her as she navigated suspicious activity throughout the resort, her constant loneliness and the possibility of a romance that she never expected. As with any Mary Kay Andrews masterpiece, the vivid descriptions of the serene resort made me want to book my next vacation right away! I fell in love with all of the characters and wanted this book to go on forever!

As a fan of Mary Kay Andrews, I rely on her books for first-rate story-telling, identifiable main characters , and evocative setting descriptions. Summers at the Saint did not disappoint.

Traci is a former “Ain’t” (townie) in the town where the posh Saint resort dominates and is the major employer. She marries into the family that owns the property. Her husband apparently was the only ethical member of the family. Now a widow, she must grapple with horrible in-laws and the challenges of the hospitality industry post-pandemic.

I kept rooting for Traci and her common sense and fair solutions to all the challenges she encounters. As often with Andrews’ novels, there are descriptions of building improvements and high end food. Never boring and lots of fun to read about.

This was superb escapism!

MKA did it again! This one was really wonderful and I loved the different point of views all trying to make it in the world.

Summers At the Saint. Mary Kay Andrews began her writing career with her Callahan Garrity cozy little mysteries. This book takes mystery to a much deeper level with a diverse collection of characters so well defined that the reader becomes completely immersed in the stories of the struggling widow, her niece, the daughter of a woman who used to be her best friend, a chef who has issues with suppliers, a man investigating the death of his brother and the in-laws who might be more like outlaws. The conclusion was unexpected and stunning. Do not peek at the ending! I voluntarily reviewed an advance copy of this book from NetGalley. Most highly recommend.

Another great book by Mary Kay Andrew’s! So many twists and turns that you don’t see coming…it keeps you wanting to forget everything else and keep going through the chapters. By allowing NetGalley participants easy access, I can only imagine a great number of five star reviews will follow. Thank you for the opportunity to read this as an ARC.

I really enjoyed this book! The characters were interesting and dynamic; Traci was an excellent narrator- she kept me wanting to know what was going to happen.. i would think I knew the outcome but i didn’t. I always like to be kept in suspense when reading and I was not disappointed!

Another great novel by one of my favorite authors, Summer at the Saint revolves around a powerful family who runs a huge resort. There's romance, drama, and a great set of characters.

I really enjoyed this book. Read it in one day. I was sure what was going on starting with Traci and Shannon. When the mysterious new guy shows up to question what happened to his little brother 20 years ago I thought this was the story line but didn’t know how the women played into this. I never would have guessed who Livvies father was but I’m glad it turned out like it did. As far as the saints and ain’t I did not think this was still happening but I have lived a sheltered life.

I could not put this book down!! If you like to be kept on your toes then this is for you. I liked the character build up and the story line!

The beginning of the story was very interesting. Had lots of potential for a summer read but became very overwhelming with so many characters to follow.
Very little Romance

this was more of a murder mystery during summer time at the Saints

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read Summers at the Saint by Mary Kay Andrews. She does it again! Ms. Andrews always draws me in with settings that are perfect and characters i enjoy spending time with.

A solid 3.5 stars. It took me a bit to get into this book, the multiple story lines (not my favorite and there are a lot of them!) slowed me down considerably but I warmed up to the story. The setting was fabulous and the way in which the author sets the scene is super descriptive and lovely. Parts of the book were a bit of a stretch but the way the author ties the storylines all together makes for a good read. I appreciate the opportunity to read the ARC and thank the author, publisher and NetGalley. All opinions are mine.

This story was a quick read with realistic characters. A summer at a resort….family and friends…love and romance…days gone by…the present…problems with a business…secrets…feuds…the recipe for a book of fiction that reads, at times, like nonfiction. The problem was too many stories about too many characters…confusing…that being said, this author weaves a good tale. Thanks Netgalley.

Set in a Georgia coastal posh resort Traci is trying to keep the family resort open. She has financial issues and has to hire new young staff. After a death on the resort property police are trying to solve it which impacts everything at the hotel. There’s murder, broken friendship, romance, all blended well in the story line. It’s a really good chick book which is what this author is known for. If you like the author you will love the book.

I stopped after chapter 1 (3%). Mary Kay Andrews is heavily narrative in style and that doesn't work for me, but I think her fans will be pleased. Probably an easy three to four stars, with five for the right readers.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC.

I have read every book by this author and I loved them. This one was a quick read (more like a beach read). Set on an island off the coast of Georgia, the Saint Hotel is the place to go for your vacation. Owned by the same family. the hotel is now being managed by the daughter in law of one of the deceased owner's sons. Trying to hold onto the hotel, our main character instigates a series of updates that she hopes will keep the hotel in business. What starts out as a series of setbacks and then a murder of one the hotel employees ,the story takes off. I enjoyed this latest book and look foward to reading more by Mary Kay Andrews.

(Disclosure: I received an e-ARC from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.)
Summers at the Saint tells the tale of how those who live, work, and play at a High-Class Resort off the coast of Georgia crash into each others lives over the decades. Traci started out as an "Ain't" who worked at the resort, but married into the family who owns it, was tragically widowed, and now runs the St. Cecelia Hotel and Resort. The "Saint" has seen better days, though, and staff members that leave for better-paying employment are adding to the financial woes Traci deals with day-to-day. Add to that in-laws who think they know better about everything, family secrets from the past and present, new employees with their own troubles and secrets, and a tragedy from her teen years that happened at the Saint, and you've got a great, twisty, summer thriller from Mary Kay Andrews.