Summers at the Saint is an intricately layered story written from the perspectives of multiple characters. This story is full of mystery, heartache, and character growth. It also discussed financial class, and current societal issues worth discussing.

Mary Kay Andrews did an excellent job delivering characters who were unique, which isn’t an easy task when delivering multiple perspectives. There were so many details within this story, too.

This is a great read.

I listened to the audiobook, which had a great narrator. I listened at 1.75x speed (1.75-2x speed is my normal audiobook listening speed).

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this advanced audiobook copy.

Mary Kay Andrew’s Summers at The Saint is a fun and captivating cozy mystery. There is a lot going on in this book with several story threads and a large cast of great characters. There is something for every reader in this story; in addition to the mystery, there is light romance and some big family drama. If that isn’t enough, there is dreamy setting of an upscale resort on a coastal island.

The story starts with the building of the summer staff, and that allows for the introduction of many of characters and their motivations for taking a job at The Saint. Traci Eddings, who inherited the hotel when her husband passed away, has a lot on her plate running the resort, and to make matters worse, she is dealing with ungracious in-laws, curious guest complaints and a lot of red ink on her ledgers. The tension builds as more and more minor mysteries are threaded into the story. There are long unsolved mysteries, day-to-day drama, and plenty of lies and deception. In her usual panache, Ms. Andrews weaves together the various threads to a surprising story zenith and culmination.

Summer at The Saints is the perfect vacation read, and the audio book narration is fabulous.

Summers at the Saint - 2.5⭐ - SPOILERS INCLUDED.⁠
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I was lucky enough to read this book as an ARC through NetGalley. Thanks to Macmillan audio.⁠
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I felt 'in the middle' on this book; there were some really fun parts and some parts that didn't work as well for me. ⁠
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THE GOOD: I thought the women in this book were fun! I like the way it handled some of the women's issues (TW: SA and pregnancy). The story felt appropriately mysterious, and the clues provided all play into the final result. I liked the way we received clues through a combination of character sleuthing and memory. I think the drama level was appropriate for the story. While many people on Goodreads complained about the "profanity," I honestly didn't even notice it...Overall, I'd say it felt like an indulgent summer murder mystery.⁠
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THE LESS GOOD: I don't want to say these things are "bad" but I didn't particularly like them. First, the story was overdrawn. In hindsight, I probably would have cut 10 or 11 chapters in the second half of the book. Second, a lot of information was reiterated. For example - SPOILER - We find out Shannon was SA by Frank Eddings via Shannon telling Traci. We then get a scene where Shannon tells Liv. Then, we get the information all over again when Liv tells Felicia. Third, the love story for Traci was kind of cringe. I thought the guy was pushy and not understanding, and she should not have gone out with him. Fourth, I felt that the whole story was a bit predictable, but it dragged on like all the revelations were surprises for the reader. If I were surprised, this might have been more enjoyable for me, but I don't think any of the revelations were particularly difficult to come to if you were paying attention. ⁠
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TO NOTE: There was one little scene where a Black character calls someone out for accusing another Black character of the murder, and they resolve the scene by saying the original character overreacted. It was small, but such a big YIKES.⁠
#thespicymslove #bookreview #summersatthesaint

Summer at the Saint is, in my opinion, rates at the top of Mary Kay Andrews’ excellent and prolific catalog. This family melodrama takes place on an exclusive Georgia barrier island where the Eddings family began an exclusive resort, The Saint Cecelia, in the early 1900s. Today, the holding company is run by eldest son Ric, while the resort is run by Traci, widow of second son Hoke.

The story juxtaposes the issues with the resort with the growth of the holding company. As Traci works diligently to make the resort a success, she pursues staffing a flailing resort as she bucks her brother-in-law and father-in-law to prove she is capable of carrying on her husband’s legacy.

As the story follows a darker strand there is a murder, attempted murders, arson, and betrayal which sets forth a mystery that will lead the reader on an adventurous trek. With well developed characters, an exotic setting, and a mystery that is difficult to untwine, Ms. Andrews has penned a wonderful story that will thrill her readers. I very much enjoyed this book and I absolutely do recommend this book!

There are several authors that when summer roles around I know I will gravitate to one of their books. Mary Kay Andrews is one of those authors for sure. In the summer you will always find one of her books in my summer tote!

I was so excited to get to read Summers at the Saint early. The cover just pulls be in and makes me think vacation. I loved the setting at the ritzy hotel and the cast of characters you were introduced to. There were lots to keep track of, but I always feel that the writing style is so superb, that I never struggle to remember each of them. You get flashbacks to a summer at the Saint years before when a tragic accident occurred and changed the lives of several different characters. Definitely add this one to your summer TBR

Mary Kay Andrews' Summers at the Saint, narrated by Kathleen McInerney, will have you wanting a tropical cocktail in your hand, and a detective's notebook in the other, as Andrews deliciously weaves a mysterious and romantic novel is released just in time for pool season! I was instantly hooked by the playful banter, beautiful scenery and loveable (and not so loveable) characters. The betrayal, secrets, and second-chance romance kept me on the edge of my seat, and the pacing of the narration was perfect. Don't miss out on this one!

Summers At The Saint is now my third book by Mary Kay Andrews, with this being my first non-Christmas and non-novella book from her.

Let me set the scene of this story: Dirty Dancing, but more Johnny Castle and less Baby Houseman; the curtain has been lifted up, allowing all the nitty gritty day to day of the resort and its staff to be on view. (And with a cover and title to perfectly represent this!)

Although there are a lot of characters at the Saint, they are brought into the story in a way that lets you get to know and understand them all before the curtain is peeled back too far. I enjoyed that Traci Eddings had history within the resort community, really aiding proper representation of her age. And although there were a lot of younger characters within this story, none of them acted immaturely, nor were any acting advanced of their ages either. I’m clearly a big fan of the character development within this book!

I love Kathleen McInerney's narration of Andrews's books, and this is again proven to be true! Her voice is honey with its soothing tone, amping up only when truly needed. The voices she used fit so well with the various characters’ descriptions!

With romance, mystery and family drama - this is one beach read that has ample depth!

Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and Macmillan Audio for the complimentary copies to read and review.

Summers at the Saint, by Mary Kay Andrews, is a gossipy, salacious summery read with lots of drama and a major mystery component. It reads very much like an Elin Hilderbrand novel with it’s drama, drinking, drugs, secrets, romance, cheating, friendship, mischief and mystery. There is a lot going on in this novel so hang on tight and pay attention, but it will definitely keep the reader engaged.

Our story takes place on an island off the Georgia coast at a family-owned resort called the Saint. Traci is the general manager and has married into the family, but loves the resort like it’s her own. When her husband is killed in a tragic accident, he makes sure that Traci is able to maintain the management of the exclusive resort. She is desperately trying to revitalize the business, but things are happening behind the scenes to undermine her success. Additionally, Traci has to contend with the outright hostility of her brother-in-law who is trying to pull the business out from under her. To make matters worse, while she’s trying to save the family legacy, her beloved niece is killed under suspicious circumstances and no one seems able to solve the crime.

Summers at the Saint is an entertaining, suspenseful story. Don’t be fooled, this is not your typical light-hearted, beach read. There are quite a few heavier topics and issues interwoven into the plot and a lot of difficult characters to contend with. Though some plot points felt a bit unbelievable, I enjoyed the story with all it’s complexities, and found it to be an intriguing plot.

I listened to the audio-version of this book, narrated by Kathleen McInerney, courtesy of MacMillan audio. She does an amazing job voicing characters who are believable and compelling. Her narration always builds the suspense in any plot. Summers at the Saint is a great choice for a quick-reading, scandalous, drama-driven novel you can take pool-side or use to heat up your day regardless of the season.

The Summers at the Saint by Mary Kay Andrews was a good, fast pace twisty story. I loved all of the twists and turns that this story had! This was a classic who done it mystery that kept me listening wanting to find out what was going to happen! There were a lot of characters, but I thought it was an easy listen and would recommend to anyone who likes murder mystery type books! Thank you NetGalley, Macmillan Audio and Mary Kay Andrews for allowing me to listen to the book in exchange for an honest review!

I went into this book blind and assumed that this would be a fun summer romance novel based on its cheerful cover and title. Surprisingly, this book was more murder mystery than chick lit. MKA packs a lot into this novel, with multiple storylines, POVs, and side characters. It got confusing at times, and it was hard to keep track of who was who. Some subplots seemed unnecessary, and, at 448 pages, I think it could have been shortened a bit without affecting the main plot. While the plot was unexpected, it was still an entertaining and light read that will make a great beach read this summer, especially if you are a fan of cozy mysteries with a hint of romance.

I listened to the audiobook read by Kathleen McInerney. She has narrated other MKA books, and she was excellent, as usual. Her performance was delightful, and she did a great job voicing the full cast of characters with a wide range of backgrounds. She has such a soothing voice that I could listen to her all day.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.

I couldn't get into this book. I was expecting more romance. This book had a lot of characters and unfortunately none of them could keep my attention.

💭 MY THOUGHTS: The story centers around the St. Cecilia aka “The Saint”, a five-star hotel off the coast of Georgia. There is a big social segregation between the hotel patrons (the Saints) and the locals/hotel staff (the Ain’ts). This was totally giving me dirty dancing vibes minus the song and dance numbers.

The book is told in multiple POVs which at first was a little confusing and it took a bit to get who was who straight. But overall this world at the Saint was really well developed and the storyline filled with mysteries and secrets kept me interested all the way through. It’s a fun, cozy beach mystery perfect for summer.

Read for:
🏨 High-end Beach Hotel
🌊 Beachside Mysteries
💵 Haves vs the Have-nots
🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒 Family Secrets
👄 Multiple POVs

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5
Spice Level: 🧼 squeaky clean

My brain always tells me I’m getting a fun, light beach read but that is definitely not how Mary Kay Andrews rolls. This story had some fun twists and turns that I very much enjoyed, I was disappointed when one of my favourite characters got murdered but it added to the story. The characters were great. Traci & Shannon’s story was good and only got better as the book progressed, Parrish, Olivia, Felice, K.J & Garrett added the fun with their young people escapades. I liked Whelan and was happy for Traci, I really wanted Ric & Madelyn to “get it” and they really did themselves in with their evilness. The mystery of what was really going on at the Saint moved the story along. This book was fabulous & I thought it was great.

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

Summers at the Saint was so much more than I anticipated it to be, in a good way! I have read several MKA books and have enjoyed them all but this one takes the cake. It is about a multi-generation family owned, elite resort, called St. Cecilia, also known as The Saint, set on an island off the coast of Georgia. The story focuses more on the family and the employees, rather than the guest, giving a modern day Dirty Dancing vibe, which I loved. Sounds perfect, right? However, looks can be deceiving and not everything is as perfect as it appears. After all, you’re either a Saint or an ain’t.

I loved the diversity of characters and how MKA uses strong independent FMC in her books. I appreciate that the author repeats key info from time to time, to help the reader to remember small tidbits of info that may have been missed/forgotten but are important to know. Furthermore, she does this in a way that doesn’t feel redundant. There is a lot going on and a lot of characters to keep track of but it wasn’t hard to follow and easily kept my attention.

I was fortunate enough to have an epub and an audio copy of the book and appreciated having both. Kathleen McInerney’s narration enhances the experience, bringing the characters to life with impeccable tones and inflections while creating a believable narration. McInerney delivered a spectacular performance from start to finish.

Do yourself a favor and go in blind, like I did, you won’t be disappointed! There’s a little bit of everything…romance, mystery, suspense, unseen twists, and plenty of family drama making it a perfect summer read!

TW—drug abuse, death, rape

Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, MacMillan Audio and Mary Kay Andrews for granting me early access to Summers at the Saint in exchange for an honest review.

Are you a Saint or are you an Ain't?

Summer beach reads begin with the name Mary Kay Andrews and this Summer is no exception!

Welcome to the coast of Georgia and the landmark hotel St. Cecelia, where traditions run deep and scandals run even deeper.
The locals affectionately refer to it as “The Saint.” If you grew up coming here, you were considered “a Saint,” but if you came from the wrong side of the river, you were labeled “an Ain’t.”

Traci Eddings, an outsider, worked at the hotel one fateful summer and ended up marrying the boss’s son. Now, as the widowed owner of the hotel, she’s determined to restore it to its former glory despite staff shortages and financial troubles. Her greedy brother-in-law wants her to fail, but Traci enlists a motley crew of recently hired summer help, including the daughter of her estranged best friend. Together, they have one summer season to turn things around.

However, new information about a long-ago drowning at the hotel threatens to come to light, and the tragic death of one of their own pushes Traci to the brink of despair. With her back against the pink-painted walls of this beloved institution, she’ll need all her wits and guts to right wrongs, put guilty parties in their place, and perhaps even find a new romance along the way.

Mary Kay Andrews weaves warmth, humor, and twists into this beach read with depth and heart. The novel promises mystery, romance, and the magic of restoring friendships. Kudos to Kathleen McInerney for her narration. The book was so easy to follow and her narration between multiple characters was on point.

If you’re looking for a delightful escape that combines mystery, romance, and summer fun, “Summers at the Saint”is a great choice. So grab a copy, find a sunny spot, and get ready to be swept away by the magic of this coastal retreat!

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to enjoy an ALC of the book.

I loved this book so much, from the cover I thought this was going to be a romance but boy was I surprised when it turned out to be a murder mystery.

I haven't read a lot of Mary Kay Andrews' books (yet), but I've really enjoyed the ones I have read. As someone born & raised in Georgia, they're a bit like going home. The surroundings are comfortable, whether they're on the Atlantic or the Gulf, in the mountains or a city. And I know I'll end up hungry for whatever her characters are cooking - literally.
This book was no exception. Set on the property of an old family-run exclusive resort on the coast of Georgia, we get to know both the family that runs the resort as well as the people in the surrounding area that keep the place running. There are quite a few characters introduced in the beginning, old and new staff members, the family that's working hard to keep The Saint afloat, and a stranger who's come to town to solve a mystery of his own. There's are other mysteries here - disappearing merchandise, odd complaints that shouldn't logically be happening, and oh by the way, a murder. There's a lot going on, but Andrews keeps the plates spinning in a way that makes it easy to keep up with the characters and the happenings. I listened to the audiobook, and Kathleen McInerney does a fine job of giving characters individual voices that helps keep them all straight.
Thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for providing a digital copy for an unbiased review.

You know it’s summer time (or Christmas) when Mary Kay Andrews shows up and this one certainly screams summer read between its cover and charming coastal setting!

If you don’t already know, MKA has a knack for flawlessly blending multiple genres and offering readers such diverse stories! Summers at the Saint intertwines family tensions, hidden truths, a gripping murder mystery and the prospect of a second chance romance. What’s not to adore?

MKA is just such a wonderful storyteller and knows how to write such intriguing character driven novels. Don’t let this one being 400+ pages stop you from picking up this truly delightful read!

I am always a huge fan of Mary Kay Andrews. I look forward to her mysteries, romances and the southern setting. But this one fell flat. I felt like she was trying to achieve a certain type of audience with this book that is unlike her normal audience and it was a definite miss. There was way too much going on and felt like none of it was wrapped up.

Traci Eddings runs The St. Cecilia hotel (aka “The Saint”), a luxurious pink Georgia landmark that’s the summertime playground of wealthy members and guests. This summer though, things are looking a little less rosy as bookings are down and key employees quit to work at a new resort up the coast. To get the hotel back on track, Traci assembles a ragtag staff of employees, including her niece, a posh frat bro who flunked out of college, and the daughter of Traci’s estranged childhood bestie. When tragedy strikes too close to home, Traci finds out how many secrets are lurking the shadows of The Saint.

If you love Mary Kay Andrews for beach reads with a side of romance like I do, Summers at the Saint delivers on that front and a whole lot more! There’s murder, an old mysterious death, family secrets, drama, and intrigue too. Featuring a large cast with no shortage of ulterior motives and a web of lies connecting the past and the present, this story breezes by even though it has almost 450 pages. With a well-crafted mystery, a cast of characters you’ll love (and love to hate!), and MKA’s signature writing style, this book had me wishing I could spend my summer at The Saint!

The audiobook is narrated by Kathleen McInerney, and she does a great job! All of her voices and accents made it really easy to keep track of the characters and follow the story!

Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Macmillan Audio for providing me an advance copy of this book.