This book took me by surprise in the nicest way. I’ll be honest—my cynical side expected sappy, but I was soon immersed in a story of family secrets, infidelity and money troubles.

Traci and her friend Shannon grew up wanting to be a part of the Saint. When they were old enough, they got jobs as lifeguards. However, one awful incident resulted in Shannon being fired. Traci went on to marry the owner’s son and her friendship with Shannon fell apart.

Now years later, Traci is running the saint as a widow and trying to keep the place out of the red. She spends the money to provide free housing to her staff and hires some enthusiastic young women to work for her. One woman just happens to be her niece, Parrish.

Parrish is observant and carries around a small notebook of things she needs to check into. Little does she know how important the notebook will come to be before the summer ends.

I must say I was a bit disappointed at what happened to one of my favorite characters, but the story kept me guessing and I did not think the ending was predictable, except for the romantic connection.

This was one of my favorite reads of the summer. I highly recommend this one to my reader friends.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for allowing me to read a copy. I am happy to give my honest review.

Review: Summers at the Saint by Mary Kay Andrews
Summers at the Saint may look like a fluffy beach read but it has a little bit of everything - murder, decades long secrets, affairs, scheming, family drama, friendship and romance. The hotel element especially reminded me of The Hotel Nantucket but it lacked some of the wit and finesse Elin's book had. I would have enjoyed it more with a little more editing, it was way too long and had too much going on. I saw a review that compared it to a soap opera and I couldn't agree more -  just when you thought the book was slowing down, BAM, another twist came for shock value.

In Summers at the Saint, you get a beach read that covers romance, murder, family drama, mystery, wealthy people being bad and a bit of revenge. It has a bit of everything and it keeps you wanting to keep reading right till the end. I really enjoyed the characters in this one. Traci, our main character is very likable. She lost her husband a few years ago and has been in charge of the "Saint," a glitzy hotel that only rich people can afford. Her brother-in-law doesn't like her because she isn't rich and is an "Ain't."

Enter the drama! There is a mystery involving a boy who drowned years ago. There is a current murder. There is changing of wills so that the rich can keep their secrets to themselves. And it all weaves together nicely and comes together perfectly. At the beginning it seemed like there was a lot of characters, but they were easy to keep straight.

This isn't the light beach read I thought. There's nothing light about the subject matter or any of the characters. It did still have the author's signature mature adult romance, self-discovery, and a little mystery I expected and always enjoy. The book starts by introducing A LOT of characters and their individual points of view. In fact there were so many I almost gave up because most are in their early 20s and immature. On the other hand it might very well represent that age perfectly but something I didn't personally enjoy reading. Ultimately it didn't take too long to keep everyone straight but I found myself skimming to get to the overall plot. I really needed to know!! I'll admit in the end I was in the ballpark and guessed the why but did miss the whodunnit.

Summers at the Saint by Mary Kay Andrews is an evocative blend of romance, family drama, and mystery, set in the charming yet troubled St. Cecelia hotel, known as "the Saint," on the Georgia coast. The story follows Traci Eddings, a woman who has married into the wealthy Eddings family and now faces the daunting task of restoring the family’s historic hotel amidst numerous personal and financial challenges.

The plot kicks off with Traci grappling with the death of her stepson, Parrish. The loss is a heavy burden that colors her every decision and interaction. Her goal to revive the Saint is met with numerous obstacles, including the unscrupulous actions of her brother-in-law, who has his own designs on the property.

As Traci works to save the Saint, she uncovers long-buried secrets about a mysterious drowning that occurred decades earlier. This revelation not only adds tension to the storyline but also provides deeper insights into the Eddings family's dark past. The mystery of the drowning becomes a central plot point, revealing unexpected connections and hidden motives among the characters.

The arrival of the summer staff, including the estranged daughter of Traci's former best friend, adds another layer of complexity to the narrative. These relationships are fraught with old wounds and new tensions, but they also offer moments of reconciliation and growth.

One of the novel’s pivotal moments is when Traci discovers that her brother-in-law has been sabotaging her efforts to restore the Saint. This betrayal pushes her to the brink, forcing her to confront both her grief and her determination to honor her late stepson’s memory by saving the hotel. In a climactic showdown, Traci manages to outmaneuver her brother-in-law, securing the future of the Saint and finding a renewed sense of purpose.

Amidst the drama, there are tender moments of romance and personal connection. Traci's relationship with a charming local historian blossoms, providing her with emotional support and a hopeful outlook for the future. Their romance is a sweet counterpoint to the novel’s more intense scenes, adding a layer of warmth and optimism.

In the end, Summers at the Saint is a richly woven tapestry of love, loss, and resilience. Andrews' skillful storytelling ensures that the reader is invested in Traci's journey, rooting for her as she navigates the complexities of family loyalty and personal redemption. The novel’s resolution is both satisfying and heartwarming, making it a perfect summer read that lingers long after the final page is turned.

I love MKA. Her novels are always fun and interesting. This one did not disappoint! Great story! Great characters!

A great Summer read by Mary Kay Andrews. Each of her books make you love summer and the events that happen in the summer. This book has a good mystery that will keep you turning the pages.

Thank you to St Martin's Press and NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review. I was so excited to read this one and was not disappointed. I look forward to all of her new releases and this was no exception. Such great summer reads. I always recommend her books and won't stop. 5 stars as always.

Another winner by Andrews with a twisty set of back stories coming full circle in the present. I'm anticipating a big demand from our library's patrons.

Y’all know I LOVE me some MKA. Her books are the perfect balance of southern nostalgia, snark, and intrigue. Summers at the Saint is no exception. This one is darker than MKA’s previous novels and I love that. She pulls off dark and twisted in a completely unexpected way. If you want the perfect whodunit beach read, this one is for you!!

enjoyed the setting of Summers at the Saint and its richly developed backdrop at the St. Cecelia hotel. The contrast between the wealthy patrons and the working-class staff adds a layer of intrigue and complexity that kept me engaged. I appreciated how the hotel itself became a character, representing both the height of luxury and the depths of scandal.

However, I disliked how some of the characters, particularly the brother-in-law, felt a bit one-dimensional and predictable. The focus on Traci's struggle to save the hotel and the unfolding mystery around the drowning were compelling, but at times, the resolution seemed a bit too neatly tied up. Overall, it’s a solid read with a blend of charm and drama, perfect for a summer escape with a touch of depth.

Mary Kay Andrews does it again! Traci inherits the Saints hotel after her husband passed away. She is struggling with keeping the business afloat. The story slowly unfolds and mysteries are revealed. This was a great beach read or weekend read. I thoroughly enjoyed it!

I have read all of Mary Kay’s novels and really loved the mystery aspect of this book. The writing kept me hooked early on and I had a hard time setting it down.

For me this book was hard to get into. The storyline seemed to take a long time to arc and it didn't seem to peek my interest enough. The last couple of chapter finally picked up and i enjoyed the story. That being said i gave this book 3 stars as i did enjoy it but it didn't leave a lasting impression with me.

Perfect summer beach read! Romance with a whodunnit mystery and just fun summery setting. Enjoyed this read it was quick and perfect for summer.

Let me start off with the cover of this book. While MKA is known for fun (and usually twisty) beach reads, and her covers reflect as such, this one is a little different. The story within these pages is more mystery than beach read/romance/etc. Therefore, the cover is misleading giving the more darker tone in the book.

I enjoyed this one. For the most part, it moved at a nice pace. It did lag here and there, but that's true to most books. The plot was well written and timed. The characters (and there are a handful of them) were easy to connect to.

Overall, this was a pretty decent read.

This one surprised me. I usually know what to expect with Mary Kay Andrews, but this one had a few twists involved. I was surprised to find a murder mystery as a main feature of the plot. Traci was a solid character to lead this story. I was caught up in the mystery, but also the direction of the supporting characters. I recommending this one to readers who enjoy a mystery but also women's fiction. I do not see it as a romance. Because of the unexpected murder mystery element, it is not as much of a beach/pool book as the cover suggests. I look forward to what is next from Mary Kay Andrews.

This was a cute read and I would give it 3.5 stars if that was an option. This book is a mix of murder mystery and romance. I like this author, she clearly knows what she is doing. A little formulaic, but that's not always a bad thing. I like reading books about summer in the summer and this didn't disappoint.

Thanks so much for the opportunity to read this book. It wasn’t my usual taste, but I still enjoyed it.

This is an easy summer read that has a few mysteries going at one time. Perfect for summertime beach/pool reading! However, I feel like it drug out in some areas and could’ve been shorter.