I really, really wanted to like this book but at the end of the book I was disappointed. Let's start with the title. It just does not seem to go with storyline of the book. Maybe at the beginning but as the book chugs along, it just does not seem to fit. I think she could have done something more creative with Murmuring Surf (motel name). Moving on to Vikki and Joe: I find that her descriptions of a FBI agent and police officer who appear to ignore basic law enforcement procedures appalling because she thinks it tells a better story. Why wouldn't Vikki be in more contact with her FBI team in regards to Evan? Why wasn't Joe ever seen discussing the situation with his commander at Treasure Island Police Department? Why did it seem he could leave his shift at any time Ava or Letty called him? I desperately want to discuss Tanya, Maya, Evan and Rooney but it would give away too many spoilers. After reflecting on the book for the past 24 hours, I have come to the conclusion that this is a glorified cozy mystery and not the chic lit storylines that I love from MKA. I feel like if she had a better editor or an editor who would stand up to her, they could help her fill out her 2D characters (Rooney, Zoey, Tanya, Sammi, Juju being just some examples) and plot line holes (Tanya and Letty's mother and grandmother/childhood). As a person who has a family winter house near the St Pete's area, I do enjoy her attention to detail to the area. She is a talented writer and the book is almost there but relies on too many coincidences (much like a cozy mystery).

#TheNewcomer #NetGalley

Special thanks to NetGalley and St.Martin's press for providing me with ARC.

This is the first novel to me by Mary Andrews but i loved it.

I won this novel in NetGalley Giveaway and not regret it because it's a fun reading and i loved the relationship between Letty and her niece.

I was a newcomer to Mary Kay Andrews with The Newcomer, but nothing about the book makes me want to stick around, or read any of her earlier books. This whole story was a hot mess, from a cliche storyline made even more cliche and cheesy by how it played out, to the multiple points of view at different time period - including briefly a cat, and the random interactions of the characters. Letty takes her niece Maya and flees New York to Florida after her sister Tanya is murdered. The suspect in question is of course her slimy ex. Then there's cranky cop Joe who's convinced Letty's up to no good but quickly falls in love with her. His mother Ava is the hotel owner who takes Letty in with open arms, aided by her daughter and her daughter's tech genius friend. And then because it's Florida in winter there's lots and lots of cranky old people bickering with each other. The story feels like it's about two hundred pages long as Evan the ex puts out a hit on Letty through (not surprisingly) an undercover FBI agent and everyone dithers over where and when they're going to trick Evan into something that can get him arrested and leave Letty and Maya living happily ever after. This was long, silly, boring and doesn't leave me inclined to read anything by Andrews again anytime soon.

Another great book by MKA!!!

Letty is on the run from NY with her 4 year old niece. Her sister has been killed and she needs to hide until it all can be figured out. Her sister was involved with some pretty shady characters.

Letty ends up at a motel and is given shelter and a job by Ava. Ava’s son Joe is a cop and finds out that she is wanted for murdrer. Hey realized that Letty is not capable of that and works with her to figure it all out.

After some scary situations, Letty and Joe are married and Letty buys the motel from Ava.

I found the pacing of this book to be very good. Very vivid descriptions of the scenery . My one complaint would be of the portrayal of WV as I am from there.

*ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Part chick-lit and part mystery this is the perfect book to toss in your beach bag next summer.
The characters are all really interesting and most are very engaging.
Overall entertaining novel.

The Newcomer By: Mary Kay Andrews is a wonderful story! Letty and her niece, Maya are on the run and find themselves in a small town in Florida. They soon find themselves living with the "snowbirds" at a quaint motel. Letty has accepted the job of assistant manager from Ava the owner, but Joe the owners son does not trust her. Joe is a detective in the small coastal town and does not trust easily. As Letty gets to know everyone and begins to create a safe place for Maya will she let her guard down enough to learn to trust Joe. Will the danger from New york follow Maya and Letty to Florida? Read The Newcomer and find out for yourself!
A great read with likeable characters!

Letty Carnahan is on the run. She finds her sister Tanya dead in her apartment, and per Tanya's instructions, she grabs Tanya's daughter Maya and gets out of dodge. Soon, she finds herself the newcomer at a small Florida beach hotel, trying to put together the pieces of what happened and above all, keep Maya safe. As the days go by, she realizes that The Murmuring Surf hotel has plenty of its own secrets...

I love a good beach read, and I grew up in FL, so this was a really fun read for me. I liked the dynamic between Maya and Letty - Maya was adorably precocious and funny. The hotel characters were entertaining and a good complement to Letty - Ava, Isabelle, and Joe all had their own quirks and fit well in the story. My main complaint with this novel is its length - there was a lot of time spent on a complex operation to catch Tanya's killer, and this part of the novel dragged on too long. As a result, the epilogue wrapping everything up was very short, so the pacing felt off. But I would still enjoy a book like this at the beach - it's a nice, breezy read.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for providing an ARC on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Mary Kay Andrews delivers again! This book is fun, page turnery, and a perfect beach read. I was guessing the whole time and surprised by the outcome. I definitely recommend picking this up for your next beach vaca!

After seeing Mary Kay Andrews leave a bullying comment on an fellow bookstagramer’s honest review about a book by another author, I cannot condone her behavior and read this book. It also makes me feel like I have to love her books or face the wrath of being bullied by her. I understand the amount of work that authors put into their books, but as consumers, we are all entitled to share our honest opinions and sometimes you just don’t always click with a book. To attack a reviewer, who did not tag the author in the post, is not something I expect to see a respected author do.

Quick paced easy read, “The Newcomer” is great for a lazy weekend. I was drawn in to the stories of Letty, who was forced to become an instant mom when her sister died, and Maya, the adorable 4 year old, who is left without. Mom.

You can’t go wrong reading this author. It is always a fun read and this book did not disappoint. I loved the story and the characters. It was just fun to read! I highly recommend this book.

Quick fun read and will be a good 2021 fun beach or rainy day read. I admittedly enjoy MKA books and often get a good laugh at our Southern- isms through her characters' conversations. She brings her characters to life and they could be people you might actually meet,know, or overhear anywhere in a southern state (& quite possibly anywhere USA). This book is no exception to her unique ability of making you feel you are a 'fly on the wall' and right there with the events as they occur. This book includes a little murder, mystery, romance,dysfunctional family, friendship, some quirky charcters and a couple of twists you won't see coming. It will definitely hold your attention and you will want to keep reading to see how it all comes together. No book report from me as the cover gives a good synopsis of the story and where you're headed. Read and enjoy!
I was provided an Advanced Reader copy and was under no obligation to review this book. The opinions expressed are my own. Many thanks to the author,St.Martin's Press marketing, and NetGalley for the invitation to read this book.

I was really excited to read this book but after some inappropriate online behaviour on the part of the author I am no longer interested in spending my time reading and reviewing their work. I am disappointed as I have enjoyed her work and supporting the author in the past.

I will not be reading or reviewing anymore MKA books as she recently showed her side of bullying bookstagrammers. Very disappointed in the behavior as I have always enjoyed her books.

Kindle Copy for Review from NetGalley and St. Martin Press.

I received a free, advance copy of this book and this is my unbiased and voluntary review.

A woman runs away with her young niece when her sister suddenly dies. Her sister believed her life was in danger if anything should happen to her that to take care of her daughter and hide and that her sister ex is involved.

On the run, she finds a quiet town in Florida where snowbirds flock as they stay in a motel’s old storage room. She soon meets the owner’s son a police detective as sparks fly.

Can she find room in her heart to trust him and let him into their hearts? Love will find away when we least expected in difficult times.

It is a heart warming read.

NetGalley

From the beginning of this book, I was intrigued as to what happened to send the main character on a nonstop, rushed journey with a toddler not her own. Blood is mentioned as a reason to be on the run. But who died and how?

As the story progresses, more clues are slowly revealed. A warm and fuzzy who-dun-it, little romance, a little family drama, all part of a tangled web of mystery.

I absolutely LOVED this mystery by Mary Kay Andrews! It is honestly one of the most engrossing books I have read recently.

I didn't want to put the book down because I was so caught up in Letty and Maya's situation and couldn't wait to see how it would be resolved. There were so very many lovable characters and the setting, an old motel on a Florida beach was perfect.

I really hope there will be a sequel because I'd love to follow these characters' lives for longer.

Letty travels to Florida with her niece Maya to hide and start a new life after her half-sister Tanya is found dead in NYC.
It’s a fast flowing story of Letty’s new experiences on Treasure Island and the creepy ex Evan back in NYC trying to find his daughter.

This is a character driven novel and as I read, I wonder if I have read it before. The story is familiar.worh woman going home with no job-living with relative-sister rivalry. This is a quick read for a snowy afternoon but nothing new or special. Try it if you have not read o e like this.

Mary Kay Andrews brings us yet another story filled with well-drawn characters. Characters who, against their own darn hard-headedness, bond and form the kind of family we would all choose if given the chance. A lovely, fun story.