"Summers at the Saint" by Mary Kay Andrews is a deliciously addictive summer read that whisks readers away to the sun-drenched coast of Georgia. At its center is St. Cecelia, fondly dubbed "The Saint," a landmark hotel where long-standing traditions are as deeply rooted as the scandals that threaten to unravel them.

Andrews introduces us to Traci Eddings, a recently widowed hotelier fighting to keep The Saint afloat amid a sea of family drama and financial turbulence. In a stroke of desperate ingenuity, she assembles an eclectic team of local misfits, offering them lodging in exchange for their help in breathing new life into the business. The plot thickens as she recruits her niece to join the staff, defying her brother's staunch objections.

What truly sets this novel apart is Andrews' masterful weaving of murder mystery, family drama, and genuine humor. Readers will find themselves fully engaged in the present-day murder investigation, complete with a colorful cast of suspects, while also piecing together its connection to a mysterious drowning at the hotel years ago. This interplay of past and present creates a richly layered narrative that keeps you guessing until the final page.

The witty repartee and clever quips sprinkled throughout the dialogue provide the perfect light-hearted balance to the more serious elements of the story. Andrews' sharp writing elicits real laughs, solidifying this as the ultimate beach read. "Summers at the Saint" is more than just a whodunit; it's a celebration of resilience, family ties, and the timeless allure of coastal living. For readers seeking a fun, engaging story filled with unexpected twists, turns, and plenty of humor, this book is a must-read. It's another triumph for Mary Kay Andrews that will have you completely hooked from start to finish.

Although this is not my regular reading style, Mary Kay Andrews is always a sure bet!

At first, I was frustrated that each new chapter would bring so many new characters but the author was slowly building her cast and once the mystery appeared, I was totally captivated by the story!

I loved the hotel setting, the guest requests, difficulties in recruiting and retaining your employees, etc. It felt so close to reality.

This is a fast summer read and I recommend if you want a light suspense in a beach setting. Can’t go wrong with MKA!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me a complimentary e-arc in e change for my honest review.

I felt this to be a slow beginning but enjoyed it in the end. There was a side of romance, mystery, and murder thrown in with a lot of suspicious people.
I had some ideas of who it was, but wasn’t completely right when it all came to light.
This was a very long book which I thought could’ve been cut down.
It was a nice summer read, set an island where people want to be during the summer to either vacation or work!

St. Cecilia is the landmark hotel on the coast of Georgia but everyone calls it the Saint. Traci Eddings grew up as an outsider until as a teenager got a job as a lifeguard and fell in love with the boss’s son. After his untimely death Traci is left to pick up the pieces and to run the hotel. Unfortunately she is faced with a staff shortage and her horrible in laws. When one of her own ends up dead, she and her group of misfit staff are left to figure out what happened.

This might be my favorite MKA book so far! I loved the beachy feel but also the mystery.

I LOVED this one!! I was absolutely sucked into it! Loved the romance, the mystery, the family dynamics, and messy relationships - all written with that classic MKA writing I love!

I liked this book! It was a nice mystery type blend book. Ive never read anything by this author before this but now i certainly want to

Thank you to Net Galley, St. Martins Press, and Mary Kay Andrews for the advance copy of Summer at the Saint. It was a perfect vacation escape with some mystery, crime, and fun. #netgalley

Somewhat different from the other MKA books that I’ve read as it had some mystery/thriller aspects to it. I thoroughly enjoyed the plot and it was an easy summer read.

I really enjoyed this book. It had some romance, along with family angst and a little bit of mystery. The beginning was a little slower, but we were being introduced to the characters. I was a little bit upset that some of the characters I wanted to learn more about, we didn't...but then we DID later in the book! Yay!

I listened to the audiobook of this and enjoyed the narrator.

Thank you for the audio file, this is my honest opinion.
#macaudio2024

Another PHENOMENAL read by Mary Kay Andrews! I was so pleased with this writing and can't wait for the next one by Mary Kay Andrews. I love a book that has love, and realistic characters in it. I already purchased a physical copy, so this was a pleasure to read. Giving this one 4.5 stars!

I really enjoyed "Summers at the Saint" by Mary Kay Andrews! Such a feel-good story about the passion for a resort which has a meaningful history and standing in the community. Family drama, friendships broken by mysterious circumstances, digging for the truth, much sabotage, as well as love and hard work. This book was interesting and enjoyable. Thank you NetGalley, the author and publisher for the review copy. All opinions are my own.

Summer at The Saint by Mary Kay Andrews is another summer hit! Ms. Andrews always has relatable, humorous, engaging characters with a twist of mystery. A guaranteed great book to take to the beach!

Summers at the Saint is about St. Cecelia hotel and the person who runs it, Traci Eddings. The Saint is a staple in the town, it's exclusive and high class. Traci never had the money to vacation there growing up, but she did work there, meet the owners son, and marry him. He took over running The Saint, and when he passed away, way too young, the job was left to Traci. By that point The Saint had gone way down hill and she was struggling to keep the place afloat. As with so many of Mary Kay Andrews's books there is a nice balance of murder, romance, and family drama. I liked this story, it was an easy read and something I would recommend to any fan of Mary Kay Andrews.

Very cute book! I enjoyed it very much and could not wait to read to the end. There were some unpredictable twists and turns, and I was saddened by one death, but it kept me feeling suspenseful. The story line for the love life of the Traci was fun to follow…I was rooting for her for sure. This mystery book had an element of friendship, love, families and relationships. The characters were well developed and made me want to know them more. Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC of this book given to me in trade for my honest review.

The cover and description of this book led me to believe this would be a light hearted beach read, but I soon realized that there was more to it than I first thought. There were several sinister subplots that made this book sit outside my normal reading comfort level. Although I love a good mystery, this had a seedy underbelly that I was not fond of. Of course, Mary Kay Andrews is an excellent writer and makes the reader fully invested in the characters and had me rooting for Traci throughout. If you like your beach reads with a side of mystery you might like this one.

In "Summers at the Saint," Mary Kay Andrews delivers a captivating tale set in an oceanside resort town. The story revolves around Traci Eddings, a widow now running the historic St. Cecelia, affectionately known as "the Saint." Once a local "townie," Traci fell in love with and married the son of the resort's owner, who tragically died in a plane crash. Traci's battle to keep the resort afloat against new competitors sets the stage for this engaging narrative.

Central to the plot are the tensions between the summer residents and the locals, as well as Traci's strained relationship with her antagonistic father-in-law and brother-in-law, Ric. Traci's only ally is Ric’s daughter, Parrish, whom she persuades to postpone her European semester abroad to help save the resort. The Saint’s fate hinges on Parrish’s assistance as the hotel faces a critical staff shortage.

Andrews skillfully depicts the resort's demanding guests, with their high expectations and luxurious lifestyles, creating a vivid backdrop for the unfolding drama. Parrish’s interactions with disgruntled customers and her navigation of the resort’s challenges are masterfully presented, hinting at deeper issues within the Saint.

The novel’s structure alternates characters' perspectives, maintaining a brisk pace that keeps readers hooked. At over 400 pages this is a chunky book. However, the story is so compelling that it's easy to devour in a single sitting. Andrews crafts a plot filled with rogue actors, where some villains are surprisingly effective while others are heartbreakingly inept.

The novel's satisfying ending leaves readers longing to visit the Saint, relax under the pink and white striped umbrellas, watch the sunset, and dine in the elegant Verandah restaurant. "Summers at the Saint" epitomizes the perfect beach read, offering intrigue, well-drawn and likable characters, a protagonist to root for, and a touch of romance.

This was such a fun read with plenty of summer vibes! While it's a little longer in length than I might normally choose, I flew through this novel and truly enjoyed "getting to know" all of the characters and the ways in which their lives intersected throughout the story. I also love that it's got a little bit of everything: mystery; romance; family/relationships'; spoiled, rich summer vacationers; local flavor; and several unexpected turns. Highly recommend for summer reading!

Mary Kay Andrews delivers another delightful beach read with *Summers at the Saint*. This novel is a charming blend of romance, mystery, and Southern charm that transports readers to the idyllic setting of the Saint, a historic beachfront hotel.

Riley is a compelling and relatable protagonist. Her journey of rediscovery, both personal and professional, is engaging and heartfelt. The secondary characters are equally well-drawn, adding depth and warmth to the story. The relationships, particularly the blossoming romance, are beautifully developed and feel authentic.

One of the highlights of the novel is Andrews' knack for blending light-hearted moments with more serious themes. The mystery element adds an intriguing layer to the plot, keeping readers guessing and turning pages. The pacing is well-balanced, with enough twists and turns to maintain interest without overshadowing the central narrative of personal growth and love.

However, some plot points may feel a bit predictable to seasoned readers of the genre. Despite this, Andrews’ charming writing style and the richly developed setting more than make up for any predictability.

Overall, *Summers at the Saint* is a delightful read that perfectly captures the essence of summer. It’s a heartwarming story about love, legacy, and the power of home, making it a perfect addition to your beach bag. Mary Kay Andrews once again proves why she’s a beloved author in contemporary women's fiction. Highly recommended for fans of feel-good, engaging summer reads!

This was only the second book I've read by this author. My previous experience and the cover of this book both led me to believe that this would be a light and fluffy read. I was completely unprepared for the very serious turn this took. With all that said, this ended up being an unexpected suspenseful read that I truly enjoyed.

I'm looking forward to reading more books by Mary Kay Andrews in the future. I have clearly been missing out.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Thanks @macmillan.audio for the audio arc! This is one of those books where I had a whole different mind set on where I thought it was going and was pleasantly surprised with the scandalous twist. This is my first @marykayandrews book (😳) and loved her wit and humor in her writing too!

Read if you enjoy-
☀️beach reads with a bit of scandal
☀️coastal setting (Georgia)
☀️MKA warmth + humor
“𝘐𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘸 𝘶𝘱 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦, 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘢 “𝘚𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘵”. 𝘐𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳, 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘯 “𝘈𝘪𝘯’𝘵”

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