I absolutely loved this book!! Mary Kay Andrews always provides a cozy story that's fun to read. This story has it all: romance, mystery, friendship, family, a picturesque beach setting, and a cozy plot with endearing characters you want to befriend. Andrews creates an environment you want to move to. The rustic long-stay hotel setting, situated right along the beach, is descriptive and vivid and makes you feel as if you are there alongside the characters. Speaking of the characters, there is a whole slew of quirky, unique, lovable people, that make you wish they were real so you could befriend them! Couldn't recommend this enough!!

A fun, heartfelt book about starting over. Loved the characters and setting. I wouldn't mind revisiting them in future books!

This book has a little bit of everything - a bit mystery, a bit suspense, a bit romance…even a bit of New York, though the majority is in Florida. Letty is one the run after she finds her sister murdered, and takes her niece Maya to Florida to hide out until she can clear her name. It is clear Letty is a trusting person, who is a bit naive, and she definitely doesn’t possess a criminal mastermind. She finds herself staying at the Murmuring Surf motel, where she gets involved with a bunch of ornery snowbirds. With Letty’s only sister gone, she and Maya are all on their own…or are they?

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley; all opinions are my own.

This was a wonderful story. I enjoyed each one of the characters and their contribution to the overall plot. It was a great mix of suspense, romance, and contemporary genres. I am very rarely disappointed when reading a Mary Kay Andrews book.

As always, Mary Kay Andrews writes an engaging story with characters that are easy to root for. I love that there's always a little mystery thrown in that keeps us captivated. This is definitely a great read.

I received a complimentary digital copy of this book from St Martin's Press and NetGalley. This review is my voluntary and unbiased opinion.

Letty Carnahan is shocked to find her young niece, Maya Abigail crying with Ellie, her stuffed elephant and her sister, Tanya dead. She recalls her sister’s ominous warning that if something should happen to her that her it would be at the hands of ex, Evan Winfield.

Letty takes Maya in search for Evan and the truth of what happened to Tanya. She moves into a motel where she is allowed to stay in the former storage closet due to lack of vacancy. The motel manager, Ava, rents the “efficiency” unit once Letty cleans it out. It begins to become difficult for Letty to investigate her sister’s murder when she befriends the motel manager, Joe DeCurtis who happens to be a police detective.

Will Letty be able to find Evan and the situation regarding her sister’s death while keeping her niece safe? Will Joe present a hinderance or help in her endeavors?

I love this author but I felt as if I was reading a Hallmark script.
By the end of the book I didn’t care what happened to Maya as I found her character too treacly and annoying.

If I read swimmy swimmy one more time I was going to throw this in my fireplace!

Tanya led a life of hidden secrets and unscrupulous men. When something happened to Tanya, her sister Letty did what Tanya had asked of her - take Maya, Tanya's daughter, and run. Letty grabbed a bag her sister packed for just that moment with enough money to help get Maya somewhere safe. Letty and Maya ended up far away from New York City. Using information found in the bag of money that mentioned The Murmuring Surf Motel, Letty and Maya arrived at the Florida motel where Letty found a job, friendship with the nurturing owner Ava, quirky motel guests and a love interest in Joe, a local cop and Ava's son.

Hidden treasures, Illegal real estate arrangements, the murder of Tanya, an FBI investigation and paternity questions all played a part in another winner from Mary Kay Andrews.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press, Mary Kay Andrews and NetGalley for this ARC.

Concerned and resourceful aunt and grieving sister Letty has taken her young niece and left town for a safer place following a family death. Finding herself in Florida at the Murmuring Surf Motel, she quickly builds a found family and quirky but loving community. A wonderful and well crafted story about relationships and starting over.

I usually really enjoy MKA books - this one didn't do it for me. I never meshed with Letty and I just couldn't buy into her whole running away bit. If not for my reading challenge, I wouldn't have finished this book at all. Feel free to pass this one up.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5929918244

There is a very good reason Mary Kay Andrews is called the QUEEN of the Beach Read. The characters and their stories fit so well together, you'd recognize them anywhere. The women are in protective mode.....don't mess with any of my family......and the men are determined. Letty must set her grieving aside as she runs to protect her niece. She will not only keep Maya safe, she will search for clues to solve her sister's death....and maybe, just maybe, find love along the way.

"The Newcomer" by Mary Kay Andrews is a delightful and charming tale set in a small town that welcomes its fair share of quirky characters. Andrews' skillful storytelling shines as she weaves together a heartwarming narrative of friendship, community, and second chances. With her signature wit and Southern flair, the author creates a vivid and inviting world where newcomers and locals intertwine, revealing secrets and building connections. This is a feel-good novel that captures the essence of small-town life and leaves readers with a warm sense of belonging.

The queen of Summer returns! From the publisher: After she discovers her sister Tanya dead on the floor of her fashionable New York City townhouse, Letty Carnahan is certain she knows who did it: Tanya’s ex; sleazy real estate entrepreneur Evan Wingfield. Even in the grip of grief and panic Letty heeds her late sister’s warnings: “If anything bad happens to me—it’s Evan. Promise me you’ll take Maya and run. Promise me.”

Thus starts our Summer on the Florida beach as learn more about Letty, her sister, and what exactly Evan has been getting up to. The eccentric cast keeps you on your toes and it. would be hard not to love Maya. It was fun to see how long the crew could stay on the lam while also falling into romantic entanglements. MKA writes with her classic charm and wit and my only wish is that the ride had lasted longer.

I really wish I could say I loved this one but it was just a bit too long. I struggled to stay engaged and found myself annoyed by how meandering some parts were. The dark themes weren't too bad but definitely check for trigger warnings before starting this one. Although the plot held a few secrets and surprises, I didn't love the romance part of it. Really, I think I would have enjoyed this more if it had been shorter with a tighter plot and storyline.

A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

Mary Kay Andrews expertly weaves a compelling narrative that keeps readers hooked from the very first page. The story unfolds as Letty hits the road in her sister's Mercedes, armed with a few clues and a trunkful of emotional baggage. Letty's quest takes her to the quirky Murmuring Surf Motel in Treasure Island, Florida, where she hopes to find refuge and unravel the secrets of her sister's past.

The author skillfully creates a vivid and immersive setting, bringing the Murmuring Surf Motel and its cast of eccentric characters to life. The motel's residents, a close-knit community of retirees and snowbirds, add depth and intrigue to the story as they scrutinize and mistrust Letty's sudden arrival. Andrews expertly captures the small-town dynamics, infusing the narrative with suspicion, hostility, and unexpected camaraderie.

Letty is a resilient and relatable protagonist who undergoes a remarkable transformation throughout the story. As she tries to protect Maya and untangle her sister's secrets, Letty faces numerous challenges, including the alluring yet dangerous Joe, the motel owner's son and a local detective. The brewing romance between Letty and Joe adds a layer of tension and emotional depth to the plot, as Letty must navigate her growing attraction while safeguarding her secrets.

Mary Kay Andrews' storytelling prowess shines through in her ability to balance suspense, mystery, and a touch of romance. The pacing is well-executed, with twists and turns that keep readers guessing and eager to uncover the truth. The author's writing style is engaging, laced with wit and humor that provides moments of levity amidst the darker themes.

"The Newcomer" is a testament to Mary Kay Andrews' talent for crafting intricate and compelling narratives. With its blend of mystery, suspense, and heartwarming moments, this novel offers an engaging reading experience. As danger looms and secrets unravel, Letty's race against time to uncover the truth will keep readers on the edge of their seats.

In conclusion, "The Newcomer" is a highly recommended read for fans of mystery and women's fiction. Mary Kay Andrews delivers a satisfying and entertaining story filled with unforgettable characters, a picturesque setting, and a narrative that brims with tension, intrigue, and hope for redemption. Prepare to be immersed in the world of Letty Carnahan as she navigates the shadows of the past and discovers a chance for a brighter future.

Thank you so much for this ARC!

I actually ended up listening to this as an audiobook - two years late.

Such a fun read and perfect for the start of summer! I thought it was Women's Fiction but was pleasantly surprised that it incorporated a bit of mystery and suspense.

Loved that this mainly took place at a motel and we could see how the family operated the establishment and the interesting characters it brought to live there. Lettie was a great aunt to Maya and I enjoyed her difficult quest in protecting her from her mother's previous life.

I love wholesome books like this. These make the best pre-summer reads. There is comedy, romance, and even a little mystery mixed in with some great characters.

The Newcomer is another hit by Mary Kay Andrews that I devoured. Recommended by my mother in law, I found this story delightful and intriguing.

I really enjoyed this book! It was a weird mix of romance and mystery and intrigue, and I never knew if I should be searching for a murderer or falling in love. But it all worked together so well and made for a great story. I loved the setting and all the Florida vibes; I live in Florida and it felt like I could sit outside my house and see the events unfolding. The characters were great, the pacing was good, and it was just a really good story that kept me guessing but left me satisfied.

🏖 I’ve only read one other book by this author (The Santa Suit) and I thought it was a cute, heartfelt Christmas story. Based on that book, I assumed that this author only writes cute, heartfelt stories. I found out I was wrong!

🏖 The Newcomer is undoubtedly women’s fiction and romance, but it also had fantastic suspense/thriller elements that I did not anticipate! I probably should have assumed as much from the synopsis, but this has been on my NetGalley TBR so long now that I forgot what it was about when I started to read it. My preconceived notions were SO wrong!

🏖 I loved every single character in this book (except for the bad guys, of course). Letty, Maya, Ava, Joe, Isabelle, and even the quirky and curmudgeonly retirees at the Murmuring Surf Motel are all amazing characters! As a matter of fact, the Motel is a character! Such a great backdrop for the story!!

🏖 The story is compelling and, if you are like me, you will start this and not put it down!!!

🏖 It was truly enjoyable to read this book. If you love books with a strong female MC and found family elements, then this book should be on your TBR immediately! I’ll be reading more of Andrews’ books for sure!

Thank you @NetGalley and @StMartinsPress for an eARC of this book, which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.