What a great read...Southern fun, beachy delight, a mystery, and a bit or romance...the perfect combination. Easily a book for everyone!

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

Thanks to St Martins Press and Netgalley for this advanced copy.

Mary Kay Andrews is a fairly prolific writer, but I have somehow missed her books up until now. Shame on me! Even though I'm just finishing this book up, it would have been a perfect book for the beach or pool time. It has everything, a little romance, a little embezzlement, a little murder, a little affordable housing crisis. And a cast of characters that felt distinctive, but not too drawn out. I had a fun time reading this and appreciated the balance that Andrews created. I'll probably check out her backlog next time I'm on vacation, good times.

What started out as a bit of a slow burner for me, really ended up picking up the pace and I did find myself more and more intrigued as the story developed. This is definitely not a book that should be judged by it's cover as it did lean more towards a mystery/thriller than a romance. The setting was fun and light, but this still tangled in some pretty dark themes and subject matter that I wasn't expecting. Really not at all what I was expecting.

Many thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This book was so fun! This was my first book by the author, but I was immediately drawn by the fun, summery cover and the buzz it was getting on #bookstagram. Our main character, Traci, is a widow who runs a high-end hotel, "The Saint" on the Georgia coast. She's determined to give the hotel the modern revamp it so clearly needs, but she is bogged down by her own grief, labor shortages, and financial struggles. What I didn't expect from this book and loved, was the mystery element of a suspicious death that occurred years ago on the property and now another death occurred- is there a connection? I'm a big fan of Elin Hildebrand and this gave very similar vibes. A bit of everything, some romance, mystery, and self-growth. Highly recommend as a fun summer read and I hope to read more from this author in the future. 4.5/5 stars!

Book Review: Summer at the Saints by Mary Kay Andrews – A Working Mom's Take

As a working mom, I crave escapes, and Summer at the Saints by Mary Kay Andrews was just that. It’s a fun blend of romance, mystery, and small-town charm. The story follows Hattie Kavanaugh, a house renovator trying to prove herself while uncovering a decades-old cold case at a beachside inn. Amidst the mystery, she finds unexpected romance and personal growth.

I loved Hattie’s resilience—balancing grief, career challenges, and a new love interest. Andrews’ writing is easy to sink into, offering that perfect “mini vacation” vibe.

Final Thoughts: Summer at the Saints is an easy, feel-good read. Perfect for busy moms who need a quick, uplifting escape with a mix of mystery and romance!

I find that I either LOVE Mary Kay Andrews' books or they miss the mark for me. Unfortunately, this was the latter. I couldn't connect with any of the characters or the plot, which is a bummer, because the premise felt like something that would immediately grab me. While this was a miss, I remain a huge fan of Andrews' and will keep reading literally anything she publishes.

This is a perfect summer read and I absolutely devoured it! Mary Kay Andrews does it again and completely hooks you in. The entire setting of The Saint is vividly described and has me wishing it was a real place I could visit myself. I really enjoyed the murder mystery aspect of this novel and loved that I couldn’t guess what happened. The way Andrews is able to intertwine so many characters kept me really engaged and I couldn’t put this down. Fans of White Lotus will really enjoy this book!

SO GOOD!! This book had great summer vibes with a couple of unexpected mysteries to solve. It was a little bit of a web, watching the deeper connections between Traci, Shannon and Ric unfold but it was so good. I was "Ric with no K? Mmhmm Douchebag vibes". 😆 I wasn't wrong, but I won't spoil the "how" for you in case you want to read this. Love her writing. Would definitely recommend. Thanks Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I am never disappointed with this author! I love the characters she creates and how she weaves the plot and characters effortlessly. This has a little something for everyone: Romance, mystery, murder, southern backdrop, twists and turns and so much more! I loved how all of the events and pieces of the plot came together and played a role in the outcome. I always look forward to any story by Mary Kay Andrew's because I know I will laugh, be intrigued, always be surprised. This was a fantastic book!

Mary Kay Andrews did it again! The mystery and the summer fun made this book so hard to put down. The wide range of characters made the story extra entertaining.

This was another winner for Mary Kay Andrews. She can always be counted on to provide a good story with interested characters that draw you in.

Mary Kay Andrews is truly one of THE authors that writes captivating and romantic novels that are an absolutely perfect mix for the summer months! It's easy to equate MKA with salt air, warmth, and a beautiful view.

This novel is quite a bit darker than any of of her other novels but the southern nostalgia, and intrigue was still there in all it's glory. Perfect for lovers of mystery, a sprinkle of romance, and a touch of drama filled moments.

Thank you to NetGalley for this eArc in exchange for my honest review!

A perfect summer read. The St. Cecelia , is a landmark hotel on the coast of Georgia. Traci Eddings came from a family that couldn't afford to stay at the Saint, but she could work there. She not only worked there, but she married the boss's son! Now she is a widow and owns the hotel. She is determined against all odds to return the hotel to its glory days. Told with warmth and humor and happy endings.

First of all, I loved the setting: a fancy beach-front hotel that's been in the family for generations. There were ALOT of characters though and I often found myself a bit overwhelmed with each of the storylines. However, I enjoyed the story and the main characters overall.

Summers at the Saint is everything you’d want in a summer read—charming, warm, and full of heart. Mary Kay Andrews whisks readers away to a quaint coastal town where the Saint, an old seaside inn, becomes the heart of the story. The characters are lovable and relatable, especially the protagonist, who takes on the challenge of restoring the inn while navigating personal growth and unexpected romance. Andrews perfectly captures the essence of small-town charm, giving readers a setting that feels both nostalgic and inviting.

What makes this book stand out is the blend of humor, romance, and a little mystery. It’s a feel-good read that also explores deeper themes of resilience, family, and starting over. Andrews’ witty dialogue and vivid descriptions pull you into the world of the Saint, making you want to linger there long after the last page. If you’re looking for an escape into a sweet, uplifting story, Summers at the Saint is an absolute delight!

I am and always will be a fan of Mary Kay Andrews! I love snagging her novels as soon as they release and am so grateful I received a copy of this book to listen to this summer.

Summers at the Saint by Mary Kay Andrews is another charming, feel-good story from an author whose novels I always love. Set in the coastal town of St. Augustine, it follows Riley as she returns to help restore her family’s inn, "The Saint." Along the way, she reconnects with old friends, faces family challenges, and discovers a new romance.

True to Andrews' style, the book is filled with vivid descriptions that make the setting come alive, and the characters are warm and relatable. While the plot hits familiar beats, it’s still a heartwarming and enjoyable read. If you love stories about second chances, friendship, and a bit of summer romance, Summers at the Saint is a perfect escape. Andrews once again delivers a delightful beach read that will leave you smiling.

I love a good Mary Kay Andrews novel and will always be the first one to pick up her latest release. This one had a setting that was perfection, but I had a hard time connecting with some of the characters. This wasn't my favorite of hers, but I'll be honest and say that stories about lifestyles of the rich and famous don't tend to be my cup of tea either. All in all it was just okay for me, but I will not hesitate to grab the next MKA release.

Synopsis: Summers at the Saint is about a family summer resort business struggling through the post covid era. When a family member dies, who is to blame?
Character Development: I loved the opening up of Tracey and watching her become who she was meant to be in the end. I loved all the smaller side characters and the part they played in the story.
Plot: The plot was developed beautifully. The twists came at the right time and doubt was sowed flawlessly.
Pacing: The pacing dragged at some spots but overall was quick and a fun easy read.
Ending: The ending shocked me and I appreciated that I was surprised. I was almost frustrated by the end by how far it dragged out for no reason but there was a reason, I was wrong.

Overall Thoughts: Beautiful, fun beachside mystery that left me content and smiling.
Stars: 4 stars

Such a fun novel of rich people drama and a bit of thrill ! I listened to this in audiobook and the narrator was wonderful. Highly recommend as a fun summer read!