It’s been awhile since I read MaryKay Andrews and was surprised by how “young” this story felt. It was full of modern references and current hot topics, which felt different from previous MKA books I have read. I loved that! Although I had suspected the killer from the beginning there were plenty of other twists and turns that had me gasping aloud on the streets of NYC as I listened to this book on my commute. I found that I was able to connect with (most of!) the characters and with the dreamy setting of the Saint Cecilia. Thank you for this audiobook copy of Summers at The Saint! I really enjoyed it!

It's not summer without Mary Kay Andrews!
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Traci Eddings runs the posh hotel/resort The Saint Cecilia, or The Saint, for short. In this town, you're either a Saint or an "Ain't"! When Traci was younger, she worked at The Saint and eventually married her boss' son. When he died, she had to take on the role of overseeing this huge compound.
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From cooks, to hotel staff, landscapers to security- all report to Traci. Secrets and mysteries from both the past and present are rising to the surface when an incident occurs one night post-employee party.
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This cast of characters did not disappoint! Will Traci be able to keep the elegant legacy of The Saint going while others want to see its demise?

Tell me this beautiful cover doesn’t make you want to dive right in with a summery drink and read by the water. Another great read by the beach read queen herself! I’ve enjoyed so many books by MKA, and Summers at the Saint is a new favorite. Nestled along the Georgia coastline is a fictional swanky hotel resort called the Saint Cecilia, which was once the place to be for wealthy vacationers looking for luxury.

Traci Eddings is the widowed hotel owner after her husband dies tragically in a plane crash, and now it’s up to her to try and restore the Saint to its glory days.

Filled with mystery, romance, family drama, and a great cast of characters, the story pulled me in from the start, and I loved the summery beach setting that immediately made me think of the Jeckyll Island Club Resort in Georgia. I loved the short chapters and multiple POVs, and was glued to the murder mystery plot that took place at the hotel.

🎧I paired the physical book with the audiobook, and loved being immersed this way. Narrated by Kathleen McInerney, I really enjoyed her southern storytelling, and have also enjoyed her narration of other books by Mary Kay Andrews. She does a great job of narrating a full cast of characters.

𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗧𝗢 𝗘𝗫𝗣𝗘𝗖𝗧
🏖️a fun beach read
🩵a touch of mystery
🩷some romance
🐚family drama
🌊wealthy people behaving badly
🏨behind the scenes look at running a hotel

*many thanks to St Martin’s Press, Netgalley, and Macmillan Audio for the gifted copy for review

"They say money can't buy happiness but you know what it can buy...Choices!"

"Appearances can be deceiving."

If ever a cover is deceiving it's this one for the soap opera dishy Summers At The Saint by widely acclaimed author Mary Kay Andrews. Looking like a fun time at a summer resort it cloaks the twisty mystery story filled with secrets, lies, forbidden liaisons and second chance romance.

Traci Eddings at the age of 40 finds herself a widow, fighting for control of her husband's summer resort, while trying to keep it afloat after the financial hit from the pandemic, and suppliers, customers and employees bailing on the once popular high end institution. Throw in a 20 year old drowning and a current suspicious death and Traci knows there's no time for a new romance; but a certain undercover PI has other intentions.

This famed writer never disappoints and this new page turner is another perfect beach read from her prolific creative mind. I paired the book with the audiobook and voice actress Kathleen McInerney has the perfect blend of soap opera twisty reveal with just the right shock and awe in her voice acting inflections.

During summers at the Saint, greed, family dissension, buried secrets, and disloyalty are just the start to this poor vs rich, sibling vs spouse, and good vs evil White Lotus themed soap opera.

I received free copies of this book/audiobook from the publishers via #NetGalley for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own

Summers at the Saint by Mary Kay Andrews
I would like to thank McMillan Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to read/listen to an ARC copy of this audiobook.
The narrator did a great job, voices fit the characters and was distinct enough to differentiate the characters. The pacing was excellent and the story flowed well. The audiobook definitely enhances the book experience.
You have mystery, murder, secrets, and love, what more could you want in a story? How about a luxury hotel on an island with all the perks of paradise. Traci Eddings was a well developed character. The complex plot was exciting although a little predictable at times. The details made everything so interesting and kept the pages turning with the reader at the edge of their seat. The story was executed so well and all the pieces wrapped up in the end. I really enjoyed reading this one.
The only negative thing I will say, if you introduce a pet like Lola, please develop the animal’s part in the story, especially including the care for the animal to fit the description. Lola’s was described as a “velcro” dog but for most of the book she was barely mentioned and left alone.. This was rectified somewhat in the final chapters but I think she could have been mentioned in a little more detail at the beginning, to fit her description and role as a supporting character..
Overall I give this book a 4/5 stars.

Welcome to the St. Cecelia, a landmark hotel on the coast of Georgia, where traditions run deep and scandals run even deeper. . . .

🏝️🕵🏼‍♀️ A beach mystery
👩🏼‍🤝‍👩🏻 Multiple POVs
🎆 Perfect summer read!

I enjoyed this one, but would not recommend it on audio. There are many characters and it is sometimes difficult to keep track of all of them on audio!!
I really liked the mystery/beach setting, this will be a great pick for people who want a beach read with a twist! I do think it was a touch too long for my taste but I enjoyed it nonetheless.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for this ARC!

Here I am in year twenty of reading a @marykayandrews summer release. Her books are a summer staple at this point. This one is fabulous with suspense, family drama, laughs and love.

I loved the narration which really brought the story to life for me. I paired audio and print for an immersive reading experience and really enjoyed it.

🌿Read if you like:
✨Beach reads
✨Georgia coast settings
✨Family drama

My thanks to the publisher and @netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book before its publication date.

I've read a lot of Mary Kay Andrews' books and have enjoyed all of them. This new book is no exception--a great summer beach read!

This is the story of Traci Eddings, a young widow who owns a beach resort that she's trying to restore to profitability. She encounters obstacles and personal struggles along the way. The main story line is focused on new employees she hires to help at the resort, one of whom is found murdered after a party.

I liked the interaction of the different personalities in the book and they were portrayed clearly by the narrator. The story line kept my interest in what was a very lengthy book. And, I liked the inclusion of a bit of romance along the way. A truly engaging and rewarding read!

You know that summer is just around the corner when Mary Kay Andrews releases a new novel! Summers at the Saint is that new book!
St. Cecelia is the name of the Georgia hotel and club frequented by the wealthy. Although everyone refers it as The Saint, the employees from the other side of the tracks refer to themselves as 'the ain'ts. Traci Eddings was an ain't - but she's now running the resort after the death of her beloved husband.

I always enjoy Andrews' protagonists. They're driven, smart, kind, intelligent and fair - someone you'd like to know in real life. Traci is very mindful of the staff are doing, providing some perks to keep them happy. It's been hard to find staffing this year.

Readers are going to know what Traci doesn't. We get to see what's going on under the surface. And it's not good at all. I have to say, I didn't expect some of what happens, but it was quite all believable. I was so mad with those characters!

To temper that plotline, is a perfect yes, no, maybe so romance. There's also some twists that I didn't see coming - and they changed my prediction for the final pages. I was happily wrong!

Andrews has done it again. She's written another book that grabbed my attention and held it from first page to last. The page count is a delicious 448 pages!

A must for your beach bag.

I had to DNF this title. There were simply too many characters, far too much backstory, and stuff took far too long to get going. By the time I gave it up at 40%, nothing had happened, and we were still getting new characters.

Side note: The performance of the audiobook was very good. Each character was very well portrayed, but there were just too many of them to keep track of them.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Summers at The Saint
By: Mary Kay Andrews
Narrator: Kathleen Mcinerney
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Pub Date: 5/7/24

This was so good! Everytime I’d think I had it figured out something would change.
On this island you're either a saint or an ain’t. You're either uber wealthy or dirt poor. Traci Eddings grew up an ain’t but married a saint, the son of the owner of the St. Cecelia, a resort off the coast of Georgia. When Traci’s husband is tragically killed in a plane crash it’s up to her to keep the place going. Only she has no idea that there are some employees taking advantage of her and the business. Serving well alcohol instead of the top shelf their customers are paying for, buying cheaper crappy mattresses serving the worst catches of seafood possible to name a few. Cutting corners all over just to make a bigger chunk of the profits. When Traci’s niece, Parrish tragically overdoses at an after party, her roommates start trying to figure out how she died. Things are going to get way more messy before anyone gets answers. This was hands down my favorite Mary Kay Andrews book so far.
Kathleen McInerney did a fabulous job on the narration; her voice keeps you wanting more information.

𝚂𝚞𝚖𝚖𝚎𝚛𝚜 𝙰𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚂𝚊𝚒𝚗𝚝
Mary Kay Andrews
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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”

Two teen friends Traci and Shannon worked at the resort named the Saint during the summers. They both worked as lifeguards and there was a tragedy one summer causing a rift between them. Traci goes on in life ending up marrying a saint the son of the owner of the Saint. There was a saying in that town that if you’re from the wrong side of the river your an ain’t but if your from the opposite side your a Saint. Traci was an ain’t. After her husband dies she’s the CEO of the Saint. There is all kinds of situations that arise running the Saint. There is a large cast of characters with numerous idiosyncrasies that play a role in the plot. MKA ties them all together and she’s at her very finest! An excellent beach read! Holds your attention and you don’t want to stop listening to it! She brings a mystery tone to it by a murder in it too. Plenty of scandals and secrets. Very intriguing! Plenty of twists and turns! Sprinkled in is some romance too. You don’t want to miss this one for sure!

The narrator was fabulous! She brought it to life with her voice! So easy to listen to her! Excellent!

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers in letting me listen to this audiobook and allowing me to leave an honest review.

A fun summer read very typical of Mary Kay Andrews. The multiple POV are easy enough to follow, and atrong female characters are always a plus. A mix of murder and romance that will keep you entertained and searching for who done it. Thank you, NetGalley and St Martin's Press, for the ARC and opportunity to provide an honest review

If you like the Finlay Donovan series and the Aunties series by Jesse Q. Sutanto, I think you will also enjoy Summers at the Saint.

The St. Cecelia Hotel is a family-owned resort in Georgia, famous for its high-class atmosphere. If you were lucky enough to vacation there, you were called a "Saint", if not, you were an "Ain't". Traci was an Ain't who worked at the hotel when she was a young adult. She met and married the hotel owner's son and inherited his portion of the business after his unexpected, early death. The hotel has been struggling financially lately and Traci knows this summer is her last chance to turn things around. If that weren't challenging enough, she's also dealing with 2 death investigations - one from the past and the other in the present. A lot is going on at The Saint this summer. Traci has her work cut out for her in this twisty tale that combines mystery and romance.

Thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for a review copy of this audiobook.

In her latest beach read gem, Mary Kay Andrews transports readers to the sun-drenched shores of Georgia and the iconic St. Cecelia hotel in Summers at the Saint. It's an engaging tale of family drama, long-held secrets, and one woman's tenacious fight to save her beloved coastal resort.

Andrews's storytelling shines as protagonist Traci Eddings, the determined widow inheriting the struggling St. Cecelia, takes center stage. Facing financial turmoil, a scheming relative, and the revelation of a tragic past event, Traci must rally an endearing crew of summer staff to turn the hotel's fortunes around. Her journey crackles with spirited dialogue, a delightfully zany cast of characters, and Andrews's signature flair for capturing the soul of the Southern experience.

Andrews deftly juggles genres, infusing the summer drama with welcome dashes of romance, humor, and mystery. Her vibrant descriptions truly transport readers to the cloying salt air and lush coastal scenery of the Georgia lowcountry. If you've ever been to The Cloister on Sea Island or the Don CeSar in St. Pete, you're going to feel right at home at The Saint!

A true master of the beach read, Andrews has once again crafted a story that sparkles with wit, warmth and a celebratory zest for life's simple pleasures. Summers at the Saint is a delightfully immersive summer escape brimming with heart and humor.

I did listen to the audiobook of this one, and I thought it was a great listen. There are quite a few characters to keep track of, which is sometimes difficult with an audiobook, but this one was an easy listen.

very cozy ready! I had never read anything by this author before but will for sure be picking up other books from her!

Good mystery read with a fun setting and some interesting twists. Thank you to netgalley and Macmillan audio for the ARC.

Don't judge this book by its cover; it's not as lighthearted as it appears, but it was still a solid read.

The story revolves around Traci, the owner of the St. Cecelia Hotel, and her staff navigating a series of challenges during the summer. Right from the start, the hotel is beset by one problem after another. Adding to the intrigue, another death occurs on the premises! Are these events connected? Will Traci succeed in saving the hotel and ensuring its survival?

If you're a fan of the show The White Lotus, you'll definitely appreciate this novel. Keep in mind, the book takes on a more serious tone, blending mystery with a touch of romance. Despite the introduction of numerous characters, the author skillfully ensures the story remains easy to follow. It's an entertaining read and perfect for anyone seeking a summertime murder mystery.

***Thank you to NetGalley, Mary Kay Andrews, and Macmillan Audio for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***

Summers at the Saint is the story of the St. Cecilia Resort, the Eddings family, Traci and Shannon and how their friendship, and lives, diverged after working at the Saint in their teens, the summer staff, and murder, This book was not what I was expecting from my limited knowledge of Andrews' work and the cover art, but I enjoyed the twists and turns and relationships that she laid out. This is an enjoyable mystery with a tiny bit of romance thrown in and I look forward to recommending it to both romance and mystery fans. Thank you to Macmillan Audio, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for the early listen in exchange for my honest opinion.