I loved this book, it has a great combination of mystery and romance, but strong-willed Letty is not a woman to be rescued, as she herself points out. I also liked that she wasn’t from “old money” as several of MKA’s recent protagonists have been, but instead someone who is truly having to make her way in the world. All of the characters were just as easily identifiable, I could picture them, I know them, even the “snowbirds” lol. Andrews is reliable in always writing books that, while they don’t try to save the worlds problems, they do introduce you to someone who could become your best friend, and I am always up for her road trips. You can feel the southern sun and hear the tide, and that’s perfect to take a vacation at home since we still can’t really travel much. MKA is great at creating an interesting and fully-fleshed out cast. I am already eager to read a sequel, I want to know what happens next!

This book is filled with interesting characters. The residents of the motel were quirky and funny. There was enough of an element of suspense to hold my interest and keep me engaged blended with splashes of humor that kept it from getting too heavy. I very much enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.

I really enjoyed this book. In fact I read ALL day today . Just had to read “a little bit further”. Oops the book was finished and day was gone.

When Letty Carnahan finds her sister Tanya dead, she knows she has to flee. Tanya warned her about this--if anything happened to her, Letty was to take Tanya's four-year-old daughter, Maya, and run. Letty has no idea where to go, but Tanya's left behind one clue: a magazine article with a motel circled. She and Maya arrive at the Murmuring Surf, a little motel in Florida, exhausted. Letty is convinced that Tanya's ex--Maya's father--a rich businessman is after them. But at "the Surf," the owner, Ava DeCurtis, takes a liking to Maya (and Letty). Despite the No Vacancy sign, she lets Letty and Maya stay in a tiny efficiency. But the rest of the hotel regulars regard Letty and Maya--the newcomers--with suspicion, as does Ava's son, local cop Joe DeCurtis. Joe is pretty convinced Letty is a fugitive and maybe even a murderer. As Letty tries to settle in and heal with Maya, she attempts to unravel exactly what happened to Tanya: and the more she finds out, the more it leads back to the Surf.

"Nobody could be trusted. Not after everything that had happened."

This is a cute, serviceable mystery-romance combo, albeit a slightly preposterous and unbelievable one. Letty flees Tanya's murder scene successfully, a wanted criminal, recognized by no one except Joe, an upstanding, rule-abiding cop who doesn't turn her in. And when the FBI enters the tale, their actions seem highly unreasonable, but... I guess we are supposed to believe anything in the name of love?

As for this love, it's complete insta-love and honestly, at times, a little cringe-worthy. Joe falls for Letty basically on sight and is rather pushy in trying to convince her to be in a relationship. (Hey this is crazy, we just met, I'm not turning you in, let's move in together... umm ok?) It was all a bit much.

Now, the old folks staying at the motel were a total trip. I could completely buy their crazy. And I loved Ava, who was a sweet, overly-trusting, but tough and brave mom, who just wanted to take care of everyone. (I didn't believe that Maya, who had endured great trauma, just sweetly sat and colored for hours each day while Letty worked--I'd like to meet that four-year-old!) The motel setting was spot on, and I desperately wanted to be at the beach while reading the entire book.

Overall, this one held my attention and I couldn't help but root for Letty (and Maya), but it probably won't stick with me. Joe often rubbed me the wrong way and some of the plot points had me rolling my eyes. Still, a cute summery read.

"The Newcomer" by Mary Kay Andrews
A Sweet Clean Romance with Suspense
Don't be in a hurry to find out how this story ends… relax, stay engaged, and enjoy this ride. You will be ever so glad you did. If the blurb of this story got to you, then you will not be disappointed in this read. This is a clean and sweet romance and suspense filled story. There are quite a few surprises along the way. Well, I thought they were surprises because I had guessed a different wrinkle in the fabric. Although how the story goes, I had thought that a possibility also. The thing I hate about writing a review rather than a book report is… the need to tell everyone why I loved a story without telling anyone 'the story'. I do hate reading book reports of stories I have not as yet read. If I know all the good stuff, why bother reading the story. So, in my humble unbiased opinion… if you like a good story that can get you tied up in its emotions, and leave you with a few happy tears.. then you will enjoy this story, for sure. Happy Reading ! !
NOTE: I received an ARC of this story from the publisher. This review is my personal opinion.

3.5 Stars

The Newcomer is another immersive beach read, the kind we have come to expect as fans of MKA. This one has some mysteries attached, an old Florida motel and a fish out of water heroine trying to solve her sister’s murder.

Letty and her niece Maya are on the run from the man who killed Letty’s sister Tanya. That man, Evan, is also Maya’s father and he wants her back, framing Letty as her sister’s murderer hoping to get the police on his side. Letty and Maya find safety and a lot of crotchety old snowbirds at the Murmuring Surf Motel in Florida. They are treated with suspicion by Joe, a police detective and son of the manager, but Ava can use the help and is willing to hire Letty to help around the compound in exchange for a place to stay.

This was an entertaining read filled with enough humour to offset the danger Letty and her niece are facing. The grumbling oldies might be stereotypes of and earlier time in these beach towns but Maya and Letty quickly win them over adding another level of protection for Maya while Letty tries to uncover the reasons behind her sister’s murder. This is a long read and could have used some belt tightening. The characters are warm and caring as we have come to expect in our MKA reads. There is romance but in The Newcomer the romance takes a back seat to the investigation.

A mystery beach read and memories of a gentler time on the beaches in Florida. Nicely done.

ARC received with thanks from St. Martin’s Press via NetGalley for an honest review.

I received this arc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This is my first book by Mary Kay Andrews and I loved it. This is a mystery/romantic suspense that was well written. I couldn’t put it down. The main character is Letty. We learn that her sister was murdered, presumably by the ex boyfriend. She arrives at her sister’s home in NYC to find her dead in a pool of blood and her 4 year old niece Maya peering down at the scene. The sister, Tanya, had tried to tell Letty she was afraid that the boyfriend and Maya’s dad would harm her. If something did happen, Letty was to take a special tote bag hidden in her closet that was set up for an emergency departure and Maya and hide so Evan couldn’t find them. In addition to money, she found a magazine article about a iconic motel in Treasure Island Florida called The Murmuring Surf Motel. She packs a few things for her and Maya and leaves in her sister’s Mercedes. She abandons it at the airport and gets a rental. She turns that in enroute and buys a used Kia.

She arrives at the Motel finally and is sleeping in her car until daylight when a cop raps on her window. He tells her there’s no vacancy but she goes in to talk to the owner which is the cop’s mom. Ava, the owner takes pity on her and lets her rent the storage unit provided she cleans it out from all the accumulated junk and cleans it. Letty has discovered the police in NYC see her as a suspect for the murder and also the crime of kidnapping her niece. She worries someone will recognize her from the news stories. The other guests have been coming to the motel for years and are like a big family. There is some arguments between families.

Ava’s daughter Isabelle, a high school senior becomes friends with Letty and Maya. Ava becomes friends with them as well and ends up hiring Letty to help around the motel as an assistant manager. Ava and Isabelle help care for Maya. Letty confides what happened to Isabelle. Ava’s son, the cop, Joe, learns what happened in NYC but doesn’t believe she killed her sister. There are some unexpected plot twists involving Letty’s sister Tanya. As time passes, Letty and Maya become part of the motel family. Letty helps Ava with all sorts of things and events for the guests. There is quite a bit of suspense as new developments are revealed to the reader.

I really like the storyline. I liked the main characters a lot as well as the secondary ones. The author introduced quite a few eccentric residents of the motel. Mary Kay did a great job wrapping all the loose ends at the end. I am pleased that she resolved any questions I had. I highly recommend this book and will look to read more by this author in the future.

Do you need a Summer read? What about a book for your trip to the beach? Look no further than Mary Kay Andrews' "The Newcomer".

Letty Carnahan is not what she appears, her younger sister, Tanya has been murdered and her young daughter, Maya is on the run with her Aunt Letty. Letty and Maya travel from New York to Florida in hopes of finding a place to rest and plan their next move. The Murmuring Surf Motel was the only weathered clipping that Letty found amongst her sister's "Go Bag". When they finally arrive they pause long enough to park the obscure sedan near the dumpster to only be awoken by a cop.
To Letty's surprise, there are no vacancies at the Murmuring Surf motel. Ava, the owner offers a small storage/efficiency room as an option for a place to stay. Provided Letty clears out the years' worth of clutter and debris on her own. Ava shows mercy and compassion towards Letty and offers her a job to help lower the cost of her stay.
The octogenarian snowbirds at the motel as well as the owner's son, Joe, a policeman, all treat Letty with reservations. After all, they are not used to young children running around their winter home away from home. The snowbirds have been running away from the winter storms to the sunny beach of Florida for years. Joe has his suspicions of Letty, she looks too familiar. He swears he has seen her face somewhere. Or is it something else?
Letty is a strong woman that is not going to back down or give up. She is determined to protect her niece from her father, Evan. Evan is a twisted, ruthless, real estate rat that feeds on insecurities and makes his money off the books. He knows how to make deals with or without force.
This is my first book by Mary Kay Andrews, I enjoyed that the ending wasn't rushed and it was allowed to breathe and develop. I found myself reading late into the night to find how the next piece of information leads to the next conclusion. Highly recommend! Great read and this will be a fantastic beach read.


Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Publishing Group for a copy of this book to read and review

I love Mary Kay Andrews books. You know they will be entertaining and enjoyable. The Newcomer is soon to be a number one summer read You must put this book on your to be read list, publication date is May 4th.

Libby arrives at her sister Tanya's Manhattan apartment to find she has been murdered and her daughter hidden downstairs. Tanya had a criminal past and life of addiction. Tanya had told Libby if anything ever happen to her, she had a getaway bag with money and jewelry hidden.
Libby takes the getaway bag and niece Maya and she takes off to hide. In the getaway bag she finds an old page torn for a Southern Living magazine about a motel in Treasure Island Florida called Murmuring Surf. She doesn't understand the significance of the motel but that is where she goes with Maya.

Not to give away too much. We have a beach, murder and two mysteries, colorful characters and a dash of romance.

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martins Press the opportunity to read and give an honest review.

Looking at the cover of this book, you would think it was a light-hearted romcom. It wasn't. The story dealt with murder, theft, jail, conspiracy to murder. I really don't like when the book has the wrong kind of cover for the story. It really bugs me.

On the other hand, the story was good. A woman is on the run with her niece after discovering her sister dead. She's trying to hide out at a small place on the beach in Florida that happens to be packed full of "regulars" who definitely tip the age scale. There are some humorous moments in the book and some romance. There's also a little mystery and danger. The little girl is adorable and helps the story by winning over the hearts of even the witchiest old women staying there.

I read other reviews of this and apparently The Newcomer is a little darker than usual for Mary Kay Andrews. I enjoyed it and certainly would be up for more of her books.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book via NetGalley. All thoughts are my own.

When Letty discovers her sister's body on the floor of her New York City home, she remembers Tanya's insistence that, should anything happen to her, Letty take Maya, Tanya's four-year-old daughter, and run, far and fast. That's exactly what she does, being scrupulous about staying on the move, paying cash and not leaving any kind of trail, her destination being the motel featured in magazine article Letty found in Tanya's "go-bag." Letty persuades the motel owner to let her and Maya stay in an old storage room, where she tries to figure out what happened to her sister – and why.

I've always enjoyed Ms. Andrews' books, and this was no exception. I like the touch of mystery in each book, and the beach setting always invokes the feeling of being there myself, hearing the surf, smelling the ocean and feeling the warm breeze. The characters in this story are an entertaining lot, many reminding me of people I know or have been around.

The story itself was somewhat predictable, so I was glad for the mystery to give me something to think about. There were several possible suspects and motives, and while I figured out the motive relatively easily, I wasn't sure about the identity of the killer until it was revealed in the book. I look forward to reading Ms. Andrews' next book.

If you are looking for a beach read, this book would certainly qualify. There is a lot going on in this book and it will keep you on your toes with all the things happening - murder, woman on the run, real estate scandal, jewelry scam , romance. However, I felt like this book was slow at times and some of it could be cut out and it would still have made a good story. I wasn't a huge fan of some of the characters and the romance part of the book seemed to come out of nowhere - I knew it was going to happen, but there wasn't anything leading up to it and all of a sudden the characters are making out. Overall, this book was okay, and I would certainly contemplate reading more of Mary Kay Andrews books in the future. Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a digital arc of this title.

I have mentioned this before: Mary Kay Andrews is definitely one of my guilty pleasures. She never disappoints....her books are always easy to read and entertaining. They are perfect for the beach but sadly I don't think I have ever read one while at the beach.

The Newcomers mostly set in Florida, at an old style mid 20th century motel....I’m picturing something from the late 1950s in my mind. It is done in bold and beachy colors. I'm sure the style would be something from my childhood travels with my parents. Full of nostalgia. But, the timeline is in the present. Letty, our protagonist, is on the run after she discovered her sister murdered. She has her 4 year old niece, her sister's daughter, in tow. The little girl may have witnessed her mother's murder,

The plot involves all sorts of juicy and bad components: murder, child endangerment, scams against senior citizens, kidnapping, shooting etc. etc. Of course, there is a reluctant love story developing during all the bad stuff,

Some of events were a little over the top and unrealistic but it's ok. When reading a Mary Kay Andrews story that is something the reader comes to expect. It's fun to mentally boo the bad guys and cheer on the good guys.

I enjoyed all of the characters. The motel was full of regulars. They were a group of senior snowbirds who had come from the cold north to spend the winter in Florida. Some were cantankerous, some were sweet. It was fun to read about their activities: Aloha Bingo and shuffleboard and stealing the handicapped parking spot from eachother.

The ending was not a surprise to me. But, in reading this book, I got what I expected. Fans of MKA will enjoy this fun beach book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I was very excited to receive an advanced reader copy from Netgalley. Another fantastic read by Mary Kay Andrews which once again combines a beach read with a mystery/thriller. I was hooked from the start to a rapid finish to find out what would happen to Letty and Maya and how everything would end. The characters are all so well-developed that I feel like I personally know them!

This is the second book I’ve read by Mary Kay Andrews, the first being Sunset Beach which I enjoyed very much, and for that reason chose this book. The setting wasn’t unlike Sunset Beach, but there were just too many story lines to keep my interest all the way through. Parts were repetitive and I did a little skimming, which is a shame because I really liked the characters. I adored Maya! I think this would have been more successful as two books and there were certainly enough going on for that - or many one or two fewer threads to keep track of. As a beach read, it is an absolute success.

Letty discovered her sisters body, and her sister had told her that if anything had happened to her, it would be the fault of her ex and to take her daughter Maya and run, so she did. Not sure where to go Letty and her niece ended up at the Murmuring Surf Motel, as her sister had an article about this place in her "go bag". Once Letty gets to Florida, she tries to figure out why her sister had the article and befriends the motel owner, and her family, including her son a local police officer.

The characters in this book were so well developed, from the little Maya to all the guests at the motel they each had their own unique personalities. I really enjoyed getting to know them and who they are. I really enjoyed the plot of this novel, the mystery and how the story unfolded. I will say that the beginning parts of the book were a little slow, but once everyone was introduced the story picked up and I found myself not wanting to put it down.

This was a great book, that I found quite enjoyable. This was a quick and easy ready, that would be perfect for summertime beach reading. I received a copy of this from NetGalley and the publisher for an open and honest review. All opinions are 100% mine.

If you’re looking for a quintessential beach/pool read, look no further. Andrews’ new book is easy to sink into and provides a little bit of everything you might want in a story…mystery, intrigue, romance, and community…all with the nostalgic backdrop of an old, family run beach motel.

Being the new kid is never easy. Especially when your new because you are on the run and fearful of looming danger. Letty and her 4 year old niece, Maya, end up in Treasure Island, FL where they are taken in by the owner of a vintage beach motel. Andrews writes a quirky cast of supporting characters that are not easily won over by the newcomers to the community. But when trouble finds Letty and Maya in FL, even the most skeptical hotel mates have the newcomers’ backs.

Most of the time, I want a book that makes me feel and challenges my thinking, either to learn something or to solve something. But after reading a bunch of those kinds of books, I also need a book that I can easily lose myself in. And that was this book. This book is completely and totally predictable. The plot was easy to work out and there were no surprise twists. And there are many things that just are not realistic. But ultimately, I was able to throw all of that aside and just lose myself at the beach in Letty and Maya’s story for an afternoon.

Thank you Mary Kay Andrews, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an advanced copy of this book.

I didn't connect to the characters. Each didn't have a sincere voice nor multiple layers. The writing could have been tighter with more emotional depth. I do have to say I loved the name of the motel, the very end and Isabelle.
Thank you netgalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review

Time for the summer beach reading season to begin! I really enjoyed this summer’s MKA book, complete with murder mystery, a slow burn romance, some intrigue, and a complete cast of characters who reside at the motel in Treasure Island FL where the story takes place.

The Newcomer is the perfect beach read. It is fun and suspenseful. I loved the characters. I read it quickly because I needed to know how it all turned out. Pick this one up for your next trip!

Thank you to Mary Kay Andrews, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.