Summers at the Saint will captivate you. The well-crafted characters and vivid imagery make the reader feel as though they are at the Saint as the events of the novel unfold. I could picture the pink-and-white striped awnings, the lush green golf course, and the sweeping ocean views.

Traci is the central character, but Andrews builds out a full cast who add texture and intrigue to the story. Chapters are narrated from a variety of perspectives, including Shannon’s daughter Olivia, the son of a wealthy family whose dad wants him to learn a lesson by working at the Saint, and Traci’s beloved niece, Parrish. The characters are well-developed, but what makes them shine are the complex and often emotional relationships among them. There are several families who are experiencing the seams beginning to pull apart. Traci and Shannon’s friendship is introduced in the first chapter, and their falling out and hurt feelings in the present harken to real life friendships.

There were characters I loved and others I loathed. There was a bit of romance in a subplot that added a light breath that lifted the story up. Traci can’t seem to catch a break this summer. More than anyone else, the Saint is important to her and so is her husband’s legacy. But with so many things going wrong, it’s hard to not wonder if this is a streak of misfortune, or whether someone is behind it. The drowning from two decades earlier seems when it’s first introduced as the catalyst that broke Traci and Shannon’s friendship, but as the book goes on it becomes clear that the drowning may have more fallout than it first appears to.

The threads of suspense, mystery, family, friendship, secrets, forgiveness, drama, romance, and status weave together throughout the story, building a layered story that had me locked in to the story. A cast of complex characters and a beautiful and vivid setting make this book a perfect beach read.

Summers at the Saint is an atmospheric mystery that blends the allure of a picturesque Southern hotel with a tangled web of secrets, betrayal, and simmering tensions. The story revolves around Traci Eddings, a widowed hotel owner fighting to restore the crumbling St. Cecelia to its former glory while grappling with financial struggles and the sabotage of her ruthless brother-in-law. When a long-buried mystery resurfaces—surrounding a tragic drowning from years ago—Traci must navigate a season of intrigue, betrayal, and personal revelations. Andrews skillfully weaves together decades of old scandals with present-day crises, keeping readers engaged with twists, turns, and a sense of constant suspense. I always enjoy how MKA brings her richly drawn characters to life, each with their own motives, secrets, and emotional baggage. From the charming summer romance to the deepening mystery, the novel strikes a perfect balance of heartwarming moments, a bit of suspense and some heavier themes.

Quick Summary: A mystery/romance novel

My Review: Summers at the Saint by Mary Kay Andrews is a women's fiction read. It was published in 2024.

About the Book: "Welcome to the St. Cecelia, a landmark hotel on the coast of Georgia, where traditions run deep and scandals run even deeper. . . ."

A ragtag group of "saints" and "ain'ts" come together to work for a season at The Saint. Hidden truths are revealed. Scandals are uncovered. Independence is found. Romance comes into play. Tension becomes evident. People see their way through doubts, despair, deceit, and death.

My Final Say: This was a fantastic story. I loved the cast of characters and their origin stories. If all of MKA's books are like this, then count me in!

Other: This would be an excellent book club read.

Rating: 4.5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Re-read: Yes
Keeper: Yes
Favorites Shelf: Yes
Status/Level:💛🕸💬

Sincere appreciation is extended the author, to the publisher (St. Martin's Press), and to NetGalley. Thank you so very much for the opportunity to review this title. It was a pleasure to become better acquainted with this author's work.

MKA never disappoints! This summer murder mystery was filled with the perfect balance of family drama romance and surprise. Summer at the Saint left me wanting more and was hard for me to put down. The characters were likable and fit perfectly into the story. Many time I found myself second guessing their intentions wondering if they had anything to do with the drowning or murder that took place. I highly recommend this one!

Mary Kay Andrews never fails to be entertaining and she’s done it again.
Summers At The Saint is a book with a love story and a mystery to solve

As a mystery/thriller reader, sometimes you just need a lighthearted happy book to fill your brain! This provided that for me Mary Kay Andrews is a talented writer and that brings the best beachy reads to you. This one did not disappoint. Thank you to Mary Kay Andrews and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Great light mystery with a southern charm. Perfect as an easy and even relaxing read. Interesting and captivating. Has a good array of characters and relationships. I enjoyed the mystery of both the past and the present and that although they were both a predictable, it was still entertaining to read. I also enjoyed the characters. Mary Kay Andrews has a real talent for allowing ones mind to really picture this story vividly. I would highly recommend. Giving this 5 stars for the fact that it was an enjoyable story from beginning to end.

Thank you Net galley for the arc.

Such a sweet and wholesome story! I love the characters and each of their backstories. Mary Kay Andrews is such a treat and knows how to make a character seem so sweet and realistic. It's like reading a book about your friends and someone you know personally. She writes the best romances and I can't wait to see what she comes up with next!

Mary Kay Andrews is an auto-buy author for me and this book does not disappointment. Well written, funny and engaging!

Summers at the Saint by Mary Kay Andrews is a delightful, character-driven tale set in a charming yet troubled Georgia coastal town. The story follows Traci Eddings, the widowed owner of the St. Cecelia (affectionately called "the Saint"), a beloved hotel with a deep connection to the community—and more than its share of secrets. Struggling to keep the hotel afloat amidst financial woes and family drama, Traci is determined to restore the hotel to its former glory, all while managing a staff that includes the estranged daughter of her best friend and dealing with a new mystery surrounding a tragic, decades-old drowning.

Andrews infuses the novel with her signature blend of wit, warmth, and southern charm, making Summers at the Saint an engaging read full of quirky characters, unexpected twists, and a touch of romance. As Traci battles external and internal obstacles, including a scheming brother-in-law, the story also explores themes of loyalty, family, and the price of success. The setting is lush and atmospheric, perfect for a beach read with both heart and depth. Fans of Andrews’ work will love this nostalgic yet fresh addition to her repertoire.

This book centers around the St. Cecilia Hotel- a landmark along the Georgia coast where the rich spend their summers. This book felt a bit like a beach read with a cozy mystery and a ton of HEAVY themes. Unfortunately, there was too much going on, a bunch of characters to keep straight, and it was a little long. Three stars! Thank you to @netgalley and the publisher for a copy of Summers at the Saint.

📱 SUMMERS AT THE SAINT by Mary Kay Andrews
Genre: contemporary fiction
2 stars

💭: this was so promising and i was into it at the start but i feel like the writing took a nose dive and made it absolutely brutal to get through. If i don’t feel that a book is well-written im immediately out on it. It was also far too long and i ended up skimming the last 60% ish.

Summers at the Saint by Mary Kay Andrews is a summer themed read. While it looks like a fun summer read, the topics are much heavier than your typical book of that genre. Overall, it was an interesting mystery. I loved the unique setting and history of the location. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

Another great Mary Kay Andrew’s book! Traci Eddings runs the St Cecilia in a town where, if you’re wealth enough to stay, you’re a Saint, and if you work there, you’re an Ain’t. One summer changes it all for her. This book is full of the mystery and twists and turns that I love from Mary Kay Andrew’s within an amazing story.

First time reading this author and I am pleasantly surprised. Not what I expected from a beach read. Definitely a page turner.
This one did not disappoint. It had everything a reader wants…..romance, secrets, murders and interesting characters!

When her husband Hoke passes away, Traci Eddings inherits the St. Cecilia resort. She feels as though she’s been thrown into the deep end and is struggling to survive. It doesn’t take long before she realizes that she’s inherited more than the resort; she’s inherited the family drama, too. As readers learn more about Hoke’s family-run business, they discover that there’s more than meets the eye at this fictional island resort on the Georgian coast. Can Traci right the wrongs of the past and carve a new history for ‘the saint’?

Allow MKA to set the scene and introduce the characters before she dives into the mystery, history and secrets in this luxury resort. She’ll take you back to Traci’s past when she did lifeguarding for the ‘saints’ and then immerse you in the present-day running of the resort. It’s a wonderful armchair travel on a dark, dreary winter’s day. I was immediately sucked in by the summery atmosphere and compelling mystery, rich in tradition and scandals.

This is a great mystery with a touch of romance and one that highlights betrayal and long-buried secrets. I can always count on MKA’s ability to write a heartfelt story, giving us a realistic view of human nature. For me, this one had the perfect balance; a main course mystery with a side dish of romance. I really look forward to my biannual MKA literary treat.

I was gifted this copy by St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

Wow, what a cute and captivating story "Summers at the Saint" turned out to be! I'm all in for suspenseful tales, and this one had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish.

I will always read a Mary Kay Andrews book and although this one was good it didn’t hit for me the way others have in the past. I felt it was too long with too many stories going on. They all connected in the end so it worked but I did not feel the pull to keep reading until the last 20%.

Summers at the Saint is the perfect summer escape, filled with mystery, romance, and that special Southern charm only Mary Kay Andrews can deliver. Set against the stunning coastal backdrop of the St. Cecelia, a grand old hotel known as "the Saint", this novel introduces us to Traci Eddings, a former “Ain’t” who once only dreamed of staying at the Saint. Now a widow, she’s fighting to restore the hotel to its former glory. But family drama, financial woes, and secrets from the past keep getting in her way.

the way this took me almost 2 months to read… a bad sign right off the bat! i usually enjoy mka’s books for a light summer read that i don’t take too seriously. however, this is definitely my least favorite of hers so far. i enjoyed the ending and the twist, but boy did it take a long time to get there. not sure i would recommend this one based on quite literally everything else about it!