This entire book is a case study on what happens when you try to hard. Every current cliche, hot topic buzzword, and stereotype were part of the plot.

There were many main plot points that were so unbelievable and would never happen. Honestly, the entire story is implausible.

Three stars for the lovely setting and sticking it to the man.

Thank you, Net Galley, for the ARC.

MKA is a go to author for me and I couldn't hit read quick enough when I saw that her newest was available. It has not even been talked about much on their Friends and Fiction podcast, it is that new! She hit it out of the park again with this one--just enough mystery to keep you wondering and a great storyline weaving it all together. What a great story. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC.

Mary Kay Andrews’ books are always a goto for me, and Summers at the Saint did not disappoint! MKA has such a great way of weaving a mystery while still having a story with heart and love. Summers at the Saint’s mystery had me questioning everybody with it’s twists and turns and concluded with can’t put down action! Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the chance to review this great book that will definitely be on my list of Summer must read recommendations.

This was my first read of Andrews and I really enjoyed it! I was expecting to read a beachy fiction/romance novel, so I was pleasantly surprised by the mystery. As a lover of thrillers, this made my day. The first several chapters were voiced by different characters, and I worried that I would have a hard time keeping track of them all, but eventually everyone fell into their places smoothly. I can't say that I connected to any romance, nor did I really feel any beachy vibes. The relationship between Traci and her new beau felt a little stiff and there weren't enough scenic moments for me to feel like I was at or near a beach. Despite this, the story was still very good. The mystery aspect won me over. Without it, I don't think I would have enjoyed the book as much. I would definitely recommend to mystery lovers!

Thank you to the author, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for granting me digital access in exchange for my honest review!

i was SO drawn in my the cover and the title of this book, and decided that i'd go into reading with a mostly blind reaction. what i was expecting was a typical summer romance, and it was so much more. it had a great setting, humor, and the characters were diverse. there was a lot happening to keep me interested in the storyline.

what i struggled with during this read was the number of characters we needed to keep track of. i don't think this is necessarily a bad thing, i just had a hard time following along with everyone. i think that i would've LOVED a little more romance throughout, but overall a good read

Mary Kay Andrews delivers another quintessential beach read with Summers At The Saint. This was a book hangover read for me. The characters were so well done. Mystery, romance, betrayal, reunited friendships and a look into the rich and famous all held me captive.

A five star read that should be moved up on your summer reading list.

My thanks to #NetGalley and #St. Martin's press for giving me an opportunity to early read Summers At The Saint in return for a fair and honest review.

Summers at the Saint by Mary Kay Andrews has it all: suspense, romance, murder. Traci Eddings is trying to save her late husband's hotel. She struggles through staff shortages and financial troubles, only for there to be a murder and arson at the hotel. Will the hotel survive? What is the truth? Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

MKA is the queen of southern sass, family drama, and mystery. This book is perfect for your next beach read!

As per usual, this book is a mystery to be solved. I feel like the murder mystery kicks the typical beach read up a notch and keeps the reader engaged. Usually I am not one to read fiction books over 400 plus pgs, but with MKA it is no problem.

Traci is a former resident of the town where she She married the resort owner's son and now returns to the town after being widowed. To keep her sane, she has her best friend who used to work with her at the resort as kids.

Filled with tension & drama this book will keep you entertained!

Thank you to NG & ST MARTIN'S PRESS FOR the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my opinion & review

I have been totally in love with the MKA summer novels over the last few years. MKA is tapping into her "whodunnit" roots and SUMMERS AT THE SAINT does not disappoint. When Tracie inherited the Cecelia Hotel and Resort after the untimely death of her husband Hoke, it's been fraught with trials and hardships. But Tracie makes some changes and is sure this summer will be different, except it isn't. There are mysterious deaths, fires, affairs, swindlers, scandals, and of course, a touching love connection woven in. This wonderful novel kept me guessing and turning pages well into the night. If you prefer a beach read that gives you way more than a sappy romance, then I highly recommend SUMMERS AT THE SAINT!

Summer was fast approaching and Traci Eddings was going over the plans for the upcoming season. She was the CEO of the St. Cecelia or the Saint as it was known by the locals. Growing up, she lived across the causeway from the island where the St. Cecelia was located. The Saint was an exclusive resort. Only members or someone connected could vacation there. As a teen, Traci often worked at the Saint in many different staff positions. She loved her summers working there. Traci met and later married Hoke Eddings, one of the sons of the owners of the resort. The Eddings family never treated her as one of their own, but was forced to treat her like she was one of them when Hoke suddenly died and Traci took over running the Saint.

Hiring enough staff to meet the guests' needs was one of Traci's first priorities. She hired her niece, Parrish, as the guest relations liaison. Parrish had worked at the Saint in the past and was very familiar with the property. Parrish started to notice discrepancies in the hotel's management when guests came to her to complain about issues they were having. Felice, the new chef in the Saint's main restaurant, had suspicions about some of their food suppliers as well. Before either could look deeper into their concerns, a tragedy happened that changed everyone's focus.

This story had a lot of characters and a lot of moving parts. I am not sure all of the characters or plot lines were necessary, but they kept the story moving. I liked Traci. She was diligent and hard working. The Eddings family was mostly horrible. It was easy to see them as villains. Traci's love interest, Whelan, was a nice addition to the story, but I felt his storyline was unnecessary. He could have been easily added to the main plot. The secondary characters, especially Parrish, Livvy, Felice, and Shannon worked well into the story. Overall, this was an enjoyable read and will be released just in time for summer.

I received an e-ARC for Summers at the Saint and want to thank Mary Kay Andrews, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for the opportunity to voluntarily read and give an honest review of this book. Summers at the Saint will be published on May 7, 2024.

Is there any time of the year that MKA can't master? I just finished "Bright Lights, Big Christmas" not long ago and thought she was the perfect Christmassy author. Turns out, I was wrong. She's just an excellent all-the-time author. Her writing is always precise with character development, plot lines, and emotion. You can feel what the characters feel because of her talent. I loved this book!

This book was so much more than I expected. It has intrigue, mystery and suspense. I found myself holding my breath a few times. There are a couple really sad chapters in the book. The character development was rich. This was a fantastic book! I enjoyed reading this book so much. I was glued to the pages. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Thanks for the review copy. At first I felt like there were too many characters to keep track of but it ended up working out. Some of the book was a little predictable but I liked it overall.

This was my first Mary Kay Andrews book. I can’t believe I’d waited this long. This book had everything mystery, suspense, whodunit, romance, found family, all the things I love.

In a coastal town in GA, you’re either a Saint or an Ain’t. The rich Saints summer at the exclusive island while across the causeway, the rest of the town are the Aint’s. This story follows multiple people and switches POV. There is a rich family riddled with secrets, a man on a search for truth, young adults trying to start out, a widow trying to hold onto what’s left of her husband‘s legacy.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

Traci Eddings is preparing for the summer at her deceased husband’s family’s exclusive resort, The Saint Cecelia. Traci’s main focus is to keep the resort afloat. Left short staffed as the summer season approaches, Traci convinces her husband’s niece, Parrish, to run guest relations. Traci assembles a staff of newbies. Everything seems to be off to a great success but things at The Saint are not what seems to be. Generations of secrets start to unravel. Friendships are tested. Who should you trust?

Mary Kay Andrews once again has us on the edge of our seats. Part mystery, part National Enquirer scandal. This story hooks you from the beginning. I read the entire book in 3 days! MKA’s characters have you feeling every emotion. She does an exceptional job of writing characters we love and characters we love to hate. A summer must read!

4.25 - While Summers at the Saint gets darker than I expected at points based on the cover and other MKA titles, it's still worth throwing in your beach bag in 2024!

I loved the resort setting and the strong female lead who wasn't afraid to stand up to her powerful inlaws. It's definitely more mystery than romance, and for me, the mystery elements were more well done than the romance. Pick it up when you're ready to escape reality and feel like you're in a five-star beach hotel solving a crime!

Mark your calendars, MKA treats us to a fabulous summer (we’ll really anytime) red with Summers at the Saint. A great, female driven plot line along with a mystery that keeps you guessing and a fabulous setting makes this a must read!

"Summers at the Saint" is like stepping into a magical story set in a charming seaside 🏨 in Florida. Ellis, the main character, unfolds family secrets while working at the hotel, and the tale is nothing short of enchanting. Mary Kay Andrews brings out the very heart of ☀️ summer and family dynamics, surprising us with unexpected twists that keep you hooked.

The descriptions of the coastal surroundings are so vivid; you can almost feel the waves gently caressing the shore, the refreshing sea breeze, and the warmth of the ☀️ sun as it plays on the horizon.

But it's not just about the picturesque setting. The novel delves deep into family relationships with a heartfelt touch. The characters' connections are portrayed with such authenticity that you can easily immerse yourself in their experiences. The unfolding mysteries add a thrilling layer, and the romance weaves seamlessly into the narrative, making the story all the more captivating. 💖

In the end, if you're looking for a contemporary read that combines mystery, romance, and an immersive experience into a beautiful coastal setting, "Summers at the Saint" is definitely a must-read! 📖✨

A beach read, mystery, romance, with some comedy, all in one book! The characters are great and I found myself really invested in what happens to them. I love any book Mary Kay Andrews writes, her sense of humor really comes through in her writing. Mary Kay can do no wrong! A must read. #SummersattheSaint #NetGalley

Traci and Shannon hail from Bonaventure, a blue-collar neighborhood, only to discover the stark social divide within their close-knit community, with the affluent residing on Cecilia Island at the opulent Saint Cecelia Resort complex. Despite feeling relegated to the less privileged side of the causeway, the course of their lives takes an unexpected turn at the age of 19 when both secure positions as lifeguards at the resort. This transformative summer experience becomes a pivotal juncture, altering the trajectory of their futures.

Traci's life unfolds as she marries Hoke Eddings, the grandson of the resort's founder. Tragically, at 40, she becomes a widow due to a plane crash that claims her beloved husband's life. Inheriting the hotel on the property, Traci steps into Hoke's shoes, assuming the responsibility of overseeing its management to ensure its continued success. Meanwhile, Shannon, now a nurse, navigates single motherhood while raising her daughter.

The narrative introduces a cast of strong and unforgettable characters, propelling readers through a tumultuous journey filled with unexpected twists and turns. The revelation of a long-guarded secret spanning two decades has the potential to reshape numerous lives. Despite a 20-year estrangement, Traci and Shannon find themselves thrust back into each other's lives due to a shocking discovery.

Mary Kay Andrews, a master storyteller, weaves a captivating tale that captivates readers with its complexity and heartfelt moments. While I've enjoyed every one of her books, I would appreciate it if some characters refrained from using profanity, as the stories remain just as engrossing and poignant without it.