Summertime Guests is a wonderfully entertaining read and kept me captivated from start to finish. It's not all light and sunny, as at the center of Wendy Francis' story is a death and Francis keeps the reader guessing who has perished well into the novel. We also don't know if it's an accident or well, murder.

The story focuses on four people and through their eyes come to know their partners and family members in relation to the Seafarer hotel in Boston. Starting with the newly engaged Riley as she reflects on the development of her relationship with Tom and the many wedding ceremony choices her to be mother-in-law has opinions on. This leaves Riley feeling at odds with Tom, whom she deeply loves, but his lack on involvement is unsettling. The Seafarer GM, Jean-Paul, is quickly ensconced in the accident that leaves one guest dead, and finds himself reflecting on the disconnect with his wife, who is struggling as a new mother. Another young couple is spending the weekend as guests to celebrate a birthday. Jason though is keeping some secrets from Gwen and she's feeling it. Finally, the weeklong guest Claire O'Dell is trying to reconnect an old flame and as she re-lives memories of her marriage and her long ago first love, comparing the two building up the nerve to contact this ex.

I really enjoyed getting to know each of the characters and quickly found myself very invested in the circumstances that brings them to the Seafarer. The story is perfectly paced and well-plotted, with a few gotcha's. This is the second book by Wendy Francis that I've read. Just like Best Behavior Best Behavior, Francis gifts the reader with characters that are relatable and situations that intrigue. 5 Stars and recommendation!

This book kinda of reminded me of Hotel, an old TV show. It revolves around four different people all at this really nice hotel. Each story was interesting and I was holding my breath to find out who the unfortunate person was.
It was a nice easy book to follow and escape into.
I enjoyed the story.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy

This book was a wonderful read. I was looking for a book to read one rainy afternoon to escape and this did the trick. From the moment I opened up the first chapter, I was all in.

The story center around several characters that seem unconnected. You have Riley and Tom are at the hotel planning their future wedding when tragedy strikes. Claire is a widow in town hoping to reconnect with an old boyfriend, Jean-Paul is the hotel manager, and Gwen and Jason are on a romantic getaway for his birthday. Each of these people has issues and messy life.

As the story goes on we know someone has died but we are not sure who or why. This book takes on a winding road and flowed easily throughout each chapter.

In the end, I was surprised at how it all came together. A great afternoon read.

Summertime Guests by Wendy Francis is a mixture of summery romance and mystery. It is a story that links four different couples, at different stages in their relationships, in unexpected ways. There’s the promising first blush of new love; the more settled love of a couple trying to find their way back to each other after the arrival of a baby; the troubled rollercoaster love between two academics; and the stirrings/desire to relight the romantic flame from a thirty-year old romance by a widowed woman. They are all brought together at a famous hotel that has just been renovated and reopened. The story begins with a tragedy that affects these four couples. We explore days prior to the tragedy, their activities, their outings, their feelings, and their hurts. We discover their innermost secrets and desires, as together they find the strength they need to turn their own lives around.

Ms Francis wrote a wonderful, emotional, and intriguing story that is definitely not to be missed. She provided a rich tale rich of looking into the lives of four couples over a week’s time, leading up to the tragedy and which guest died. She kept me on my toes, guessing who it was. I highly recommend Ways to Ruin a Royal Reputation to other readers.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

Very fun beach read!! Four couples arrive at the Seafarer Hotel -- love the points of view and each of the storylines. I actually loved them all equally -- usually you favor one over another but I though Wendy did such a great job of taking us right into all of their lives. At first I thought it would be too many characters to keep up with but it definitely was not.. Highly recommend if you are looking for a book to escape into!!

This novel is a mystery, though not written in the usual way you would expect a mystery to be written. From the start the reader will be second-guessing who fell from a balcony at the prestigious Seafarer Hotel in Boston. Was she pushed, or did she fall? There’s potential for it to be a couple women! The descriptions of the characters and the hotel make you feel like you are right there with all the characters. I love how the author brought strangers together by making their connection be a hotel. I recommend adding this book to your list. I received an arc of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.

SUMMERTIME GUESTS was a welcome escape from this cold and dreary winter! I love a good summer read, but I want there to be good character development and some depth to the story—this one fit the bill! the novel centers around four different couples all at different stages in their relationships. their paths cross at a glamorous Boston hotel on a summer day when a tragedy occurs, and the story unfolds from there. it’s the perfect one to throw in your bag for summer reading! 4/5⭐️—I liked it!

Linda’s Book Obsession Reviews “Summertime Guests” by Wendy Francis, Graydon House, April 6, 2021

Wendy Francis, the author of “Summertime Guests” writes a riveting and intriguing novel. The genres for this novel are Fiction, Mystery and Suspense, and Romance. The Seafarer, an elegant hotel is a perfect time for Summertime guests to relax, rewind and find entertainment. The background for this weekend will be a wedding at the hotel. The author has invited us to also be guests and watch 4 sets of characters and their relationships as they also visit this amazing hotel. The author describes her characters as complex and complicated.

Unfortunately, one of the four characters falls from the tenth floor of the hotel to her death. Who is it? Was it an accident? The author does toy with us, and for a short while, we are not actually sure who the victim is that falls.

There are secrets, and surprises that await the reader. I highly recommend this suspenseful and captivating novel. I appreciate that the author discusses important topics such as physical and emotional abuse, Alzheimer's and dementia, and living one’s life the way they want, not pleasing everyone. The importance of love and hope are mentioned as well. Happy Reading!

I enjoyed the last book that I reviewed by Wendy Francis and this one was great too. I was immediately transported to the hotel and the whole place was atmospheric. The novel starts with a calm, relaxed vacation feel but after the synopsis I was prepared for something to happen. I just felt it was going to happen.

Even so, it was a shock and the lead up to the event of the death was so well done that the the suspense was well built.

How did this really happen? Who is guilty? Be prepared for a thrill ride of a novel that shows that an idyllic hotel getaway can sometimes not be like what you think it will.

Another excellent novel by Wendy Francis. The mix of mystery and suspense in a glamorous setting provides a gripping plot.

4 stars.

4.5 stars! I was so surprised by how much I LOVED this book! At first glance, this book appears to be a light beach read book--and it does have that element to it--but it's so much more than that. It blends contemporary fiction, romance, and mystery to create a novel you just can't put down. I flew through this novel for two reasons--I wanted to know who tragically fell to their death (not a spoiler, it's in the blurb) and I just got so invested in the characters. Each one of them had their own unique struggles and all were in different stages in life--but all were so relatable. I loved the Boston setting of this novel and all the summertime vibes it created. This book was the perfect balance of entertaining yet thought provoking. The ending hit me in ways I can't explain without giving spoilers--but if you've read it, DM me if you want to chat! This is a great book to add to your spring and summer reading list--perfect for a weekend or vacation read.

I like the idea of this book - it describes the lives of some people that have nothing in common except the fact that they are staying / passing by / or working at the Seafarer hotel in Boston during Summertime. Their stories are all tied together when a tragedy happens. Even though the tragedy is described in the beginning of the book, the story keeps going back and forth in time until we can really learn what happened and to whom, so I like that there's some type of mystery involved. There's several points of view as well, since the book describes the story in the perspective of different characters. Overall, this is a nice Summer read.

Summertime Guests starts out with an unexpected surprise for guests dining at The Seafarer, a posh Boston hotel where people go to be seen. The unexpected event affects our characters in ways that are, well, unexpected. We have Riley, a bride-to-be whose fiancé's mother has decided to help the young couple plan their wedding. Mother-in-law Claire also has another reason to be in town. Then there's a couple who are trying to overcome a serious issue. Speaking of serious issue, the wife of the busy new hotel manager seems to be experiencing postpartum depression. There's a lot going on in this novel, perhaps a bit too much for my taste. But, if you enjoy a little mystery and emotional upheaval in your light summertime reading, plus a bit of a back-and-forth timeline, you might want to give Summertime Guests a try.

My first time reading this author, and I could not put the book down! As I was transported into the pages of this beautifully crafted story. Not long after the reopening of the Seafarer hotel in Boston. It had been closed for restoration to bring back the historic elegance to the landmark.

What starts as a lovely lunch becomes an event. We meet four couples and follow them as they appear to only have the hotel in common. As we wind down the chapters, do we find the answers to our questions? Will another twist or turn have me closer to finding out who our mystery guest is? This book was the perfect rainy day read I needed.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin – Trade Publishing/Graydon House for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.

A woman falls to her death at a newly refurbished historic hotel in Boston. Three other couples associated with the hotel are impacted by the death. Who was the victim and why did she fall? Readers are left almost to the very end to discover the identity of the woman. I zeroed in on a couple 0f clues the author slipped amd was sure I knew, but then doubted until almost the end. Summertime Guests is Francis’ best book yet. It was engrossing read. Parts of it are sad, concerning, and reassuring. I liked Riley the best. I thought her character was grounded and practical. I read this book in one sitting since I couldn’t bear to stop reading it.

I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review. This book centers around four different couples and the opening of a new seafront hotel. It's a little too cliche and has a Hallmark feel but the addition of a mystery element will be enjoyable for many readers.

I don’t normally read two books at once but I got myself into a heavy book and I wanted to mix something lighter in. The other book is a book I feel like I should read, this is the book I’ve truly enjoyed reading. I probably would have torn through this book in one day if I’d picked it up on a Saturday and not been reading anything else. There’s no delay before this book pulls you in. It pulled me in right from the beginning and had my attention the whole time. Last night I had to put it down to finish dinner, knowing there was only a half hour or so left to read. It wasn’t easy. I picked the book back up first thing this morning.

A glamour hotel has had some work done and is reopening.
At the hotel this week is a the hotel manager Jean-Paul. He’s been working a lot of hours to guarantee the success of the hotel but feels terrible for not spending more time with his wife and baby daughter. He can see how stressed his wife is.
Riley and her fiancée and his mother are visiting the hotel to decide whether to hold their wedding there. Riley and her fiancée seem like a very happy couple, excited about their future together. They are just walking a line right now trying to figure out how much to let his mom plan for the wedding.
Jason and his girlfriend are there for his birthday. Jason thinks his girlfriend is too good for him and I agree. He’s got a lot of issues and they’re putting a major strain on his relationship and his life.
Claire lost her husband less than a year ago and comes to town to see her old boyfriend. She dreams of rekindling their relationship.

At the start of this book, someone falls (or was pushed) from their balcony. As you read the book, you dig into the mystery of who died and how.
It could easily have been one of two women and I kept guessing The Who and how all the way till the end.

Despite the death, this is not a scary book. It’s a book with well written characters, with interesting back stories, it’s set at a beautiful hotel we’d probably all like to be at, the element of the mysterious death adds extra intrigue to the plot.

I really enjoyed this book and I also previously enjoyed this author’s book The Summer Sail. She’s becoming a must read author for me.

I got to read an early ebook edition from NetGalley, thank you!

Summertime Guests by Wendy Francis

A historic Boston hotel has recently reopened after renovations. When a body lands on the patio from a balcony above, the tragic incident not only threatens the reputation of the hotel, but guests and staff must deal with the reality of what they’ve witnessed. As the story timeline moves back to give information on the characters’ lives leading up to their hotel stay, the mystery is to discover which character died and if it was a suicide or homicide.

Wendy Francis is skilled at writing full, interesting characters. We peek into the family life of the hotel manager with his young wife and baby who have moved from France for this job, a young couple planning their wedding, a journalist who may have angered the mob with an article and who is reconnecting with a long lost love, as well as a man in a relationship struggling with shadows from his childhood. Francis has provided interesting topics for book club discussion through these characters. Although I became invested in the stories of these characters, I found the transitions of their storylines and timelines somewhat distracting, and yet the story kept my interest as I tried to guess which character’s life would end tragically. Summertime Guests will be released April 6, 2021.

I received an ARC through Net Galley and Graydon House in exchange for an honest review.

FYI: Dibs on the last chaise lounge under the red umbrella! Garcon, a frozen strawberry daquiri, please!

The Seafarer is THE place to see and be seen in the summer…

A glamourous, historical Boston hotel with a guest list including celebrities is the setting for Wendy Francis’s newest novel, “Summertime Guests.” Francis explores how kindness unites people and, although they’d like to think they’re unique, people are more similar than we think.

Jean-Paul has just relocated from Paris to manage the glorious and newly renovated hotel and has enough on his plate trying to keep it afloat than worry about his wife, Marie, and new baby, Isabella. His work and marriage are both big sources of stress in his life and he doesn’t seem to be able to find a balance. Why didn’t anyone tell them how difficult it would be to make time for themselves?

Riley and Tom visit the hotel with Tom’s parents in order to select the food menu for their upcoming wedding. Riley is grateful for the financial help Tom’s family is offering, but it comes at a cost. Can Riley put up with an overbearing mother-in-law? Is her fiancé going to offer any support?

Claire, 61 and newly widowed, has come to the hotel for some pampering after a stressful week at work. She’s planned on connecting with a long-lost love while she’s here. Is there life after grief? Does loneliness last forever?

Gwen has booked a romantic getaway for her boyfriend’s birthday, but the treat for Jason hasn’t gone as she’d envisioned. Jason is struggling at a crossroads and Gwen has no idea what’s going on in her boyfriend’s life. Is he hiding something? Is he unhappy?

To make things worse, someone falls tragically to her death. Over the course of the next three days the truth about the woman and her secret is unveiled and the four summertime guests become inextricably linked. It’s not just a book about a murder, it’s a book about what the murder brings to the surface for each of the guests and the manager. Taking the focus off themselves, the other guests start to realize that they all have secrets and foibles and each is struggling to some degree. Too bad it took a death to make them see what really matters.

I love the writing style; the reader must wait patiently to the end to discover the identity of the murder victim. It’s as if the reader is an invisible guest wandering the halls of the hotel, soaking in the drama and scandal, sipping drinks poolside and listening to the comings and goings in this iconic hotel, all the while gathering evidence. The flow and pace are perfect and the twists and turns pop up when least expected.

Thank you to Wendy Francis, Graydon House and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Published April 6, 2021

4/5 stars. Pub Dat 4/6/21.

Enjoyable escape novel that sucks you in from the start. What starts as a promising beautiful day at a newly reopened upscale Boston hotel, The Seafarer, into a tragic and horrifying scene for hotel guests trying to enjoy lunch. We meet Riley and her fiancée meeting trying to plan their wedding with his overbearing mother. Jean-Paul, the newly made manager of the hotel, newly transplanted from Paris with his wife and infant daughter, and trying to find a balance of family life and work. Claire, recently widowed Mom trying to figure out her new life while dealing with many issues. Jason, at a crossroads in his professional life, and dealing with an issue he really doesn’t want to admit too.

Ms. Francis weaves the story of each patron from chapter to chapter. The flow is easy to follow, with just enough story line to get invested in each and set up a mystery perfectly, but not get bored! You think you have it figured out, but Francis throws a little wrench in it and makes your heart start to pound. Ending is brought together nicely with all questions being answered.

Thanks to Ms. Francis, Harlequin and NetGalley for this ARC. Opinion is mine alone.

A light superficial read set in a newly renovated Boston waterfront hotel highlighting 4 couples in various stages of their life. All their situations seem cliched and I couldn’t muster up any enthusiasm or care about these characters.