Summers at the Saint

𝗠𝘆 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 4⭐️
SUMMERS AT THE SAINT
🤍𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗲: mystery/chick lit
📖 448 pages
𝗘𝗺𝗼𝗷𝗶𝘀: 🏖️🍹😮💕🛩️💰📘🚔💊🔥

𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲:
◽️ mysteries with a dash of romance
◽️ found family
◽️ swanky hotels
◽️ multiple POV

🩵𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲🩵

Thank you @stmartinspress @netgalley for the #gifted copy!

SUMMERS AT THE SAINT was an engaging & entertaining read, with a touch of romance woven throughout. It was my first time reading this author, but it won’t be my last! The story is told through multiple POV, which added to the intrigue, especially as two mysteries unfolded simultaneously.

The atmospheric Georgia hotel setting was vividly described, making it easy to immerse yourself in the story. The cast of characters was diverse, each with their own motives, which kept me guessing until the end. While I managed to predict some twists, others genuinely surprised me—particularly a pivotal event halfway through that I didn’t see coming.

I can easily see this being adapted into a captivating TV series, as it has all the elements fans of THE PERFECT COUPLE would love. If you enjoy mysteries filled with a plethora of characters, unexpected turns, & just the right amount of suspense & romance, this is a book you’ll definitely want to pick up!

𝗣𝗹𝗼𝘁: The St. Cecelia, a historic hotel on Georgia’s coast, has long been a place where tradition & scandal collide. Traci Eddings, once an outsider, married into the family that owned the hotel & now runs it as a widow. Facing financial struggles, staff shortages, & sabotage from her brother-in-law, Traci has one summer to save the Saint. With the help of a quirky team, including her estranged best friend’s daughter, she fights to restore the hotel’s former glory. Along the way, buried secrets, a past tragedy, & a chance for new love test her strength & resolve.

Summers at the Saint is a captivating novel set in the historic St. Cecelia hotel, affectionately known as "The Saint," on the Georgia coast. The story follows Traci Eddings, a widow who inherits the once-grand hotel after her husband's untimely death. Facing financial struggles, family drama, and mysterious events, Traci is determined to restore The Saint to its former glory. With the help of a diverse group of summer staff, including the daughter of her estranged best friend, she uncovers long-buried secrets and confronts challenges that test her resilience and courage.

Mary Kay Andrews blends elements of romance, mystery, and personal growth, creating a rich narrative filled with warmth, humor, and unexpected twists. The novel's vivid descriptions and well-developed characters make it an engaging and heartfelt read.

This book is recommended for readers who enjoy stories about second chances, family dynamics, and the restoration of historic places. Readers who appreciate a blend of romance and mystery set against a charming coastal backdrop will find Summers at the Saint particularly appealing.

I really enjoyed Summers at the Saint. It was the perfect mid summer read, a mix of romance and mystery. I thought I knew where the plot was going, but was wrong and pleasantly surprised with the twists and turns.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for a review.

I adore Mary Kay Andrew’s and look forward to her new releases every summer. Summers at the Saint follows the Mary Kay plot of mystery, a little romance and usually a redemption story.
Summers at the Saint brings us to the St. Cecelia, a hotel on the coast of Georgia. Here we meet our main character Traci Eddings, she not only works at the hotel but is the owner as well. She longs to bring the hotel back to its glory exactly how it was during her teenage years. She is chasing demons and old mysteries to turn the luck around at the St. Cecelia. There are twists and turns and a dash of humor that keep the pages turning.
A wonderful plot, with likeable characters. A perfect beach read.

Mary Kay Andrews is one of my favorite authors. I enjoy reading summer-themed books all year round. Living in Alaska with almost 9 months of dark and cold weather, nothing beats a good summer read in December.

I love going into books blind too, as I did with this one, and being pleasantly surprised with the overall read. This has summer fun, with mystery thrown in, and a little romance to top it off. Just what I needed.

I sincerely appreciate the author and NetGalley for the review copy.

Overall a great read. Dragged on a bit in certain areas. Character or background development overkill, maybe? Seemed a bit disconnected like the book was trying to quickly sneak a romance and happy ever after into the storyline where it didn’t feel the most natural. To be honest, the book still would have been great without that.

The story centers on Traci Eddings as she navigates the management of a luxury hotel faced with challenges of staffing, finances and the in-laws she inherited this from. There are mysteries, family drama, friendship and romance - a perfect summer read in the middle of winter.

Mary kay's writing is classic, and just doesn't disappoint. This one was much more than the feeling you get from the free-spirited cover! Traci was an outsider to those wealthy enough to vacation at "the Saint," granting her a title of "an ain't." However, when she gets a job working there and end up marrying the boss's son, things change for her. Fast forward to her being the widowed owner trying to salvage a failing resort with the looming mystery of an old drowning. Much more depth to the story and characters than a whimsical summer read. Her characters are always layered and flawed, but easily likeable. This one is full of some romance, tragedy, mystery, and murder, and lots of turns around the bend. I have enjoyed many of her other books, and although this one wasn't my favorite (mystery genres aren't my first go-to), I did enjoy this! Thank you so much to Mary Kay Andrews, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this e-arc!

I couldn’t get into this one and u fortunately had to DNF. i think this just isn’t the author for me and i will be passing next time. great concept though!

This is a super fast-paced read, and while you may see the ending coming, it’s fun getting lost in this one. Mary Kay Andrews’s books are always a bit over the top (but in a fun way!), kind of like a soap opera. The murder is shocking, but no one is that sad about it. The villains are very villain-y. The romance is a little bit cheesy, but overall, it is an enjoyable companion on a hot summer day!

4.5 solid ⭐️ I’ve read the author’s books before, and I absolutely adored Bright Lights, Big Christmas.
Summers at the Saint was much more than I expected!
Great characters, twisty mystery with plenty of scheming, back stabbing and deviously greedy people. What a juicy read! I loved the concluding chapters and the way things worked out.

Thanks to @stmartinspress and @netgalley for my advance copy

I love Mary kay Andrew's books, but this one had a twist that I wasn't expecting! It still had that classic, southern MKA charm.

I did not like this due to how many varying character POVs there were. I had a hard time following who was who.

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.