Summers at the Saint

This story of family secrets, mayhem, and murder threw me for a loop! What started out as a story about "the Saint,' a family owned and run resort, turned into a surprising mystery. I found the alternating viewpoints/chapters to be confusing, sort of like literary whiplash. However, the many characters and plot lines wrap up at the end.

Readers should be aware of profanity and some violence in the story. This makes a great vacation reading selection.

I received this novel from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

I was so happily surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. Reading the synopsis was hmm, the haves vs the have-nots and not one of my favorite subjects. But wrapped up in a twisty, hateful family dynamic, this story was well plotted and very interesting. Mary Kay Andrews nails the stereotypes, which are tightly and truly drawn. While it might have been easy to see where this story was going the getting there was well thought out. The book held my attention and I ripped through it. Rounding up because it was just that good.

Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for a copy.

Who wouldn’t want to be a guest at the Saint?

The exclusive resort was only affordable to the rich, but the next best thing would be to work there.

But was it the best place to work?

Traci worked there in the summers as a teenager, met the owner’s son, married him, and is now running the place since her husband was killed in an airplane accident.

It all sounds wonderful, but things happened when Traci was a teenager and things are happening now.

Murder, mystery, great characters, behind-the-scenes scams, cunning characters, but all of it wrapped up for another wonderful, can't-put-down read by Mary Kay Andrews.

Don’t forget to pack this in your beach bag or even for reading on your back porch.

You won't want to miss it.

Thank you to the show more publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own. show less

"Summer at the Saint" is a captivating tale set against the backdrop of the iconic St. Cecelia hotel on the Georgia coast. Mary Kay Andrews skillfully crafts a story of resilience, friendship, and redemption as Traci Eddings navigates the challenges of restoring the hotel to its former glory while contending with personal and professional obstacles. With its richly drawn characters and intricate plot, this novel is a delightful blend of humor, drama, and romance that keeps readers engaged from start to finish. Andrews' vivid descriptions and keen observations of human nature make "Summer at the Saint" a beach read with depth and heart, perfect for those who enjoy immersive storytelling with a touch of mystery and nostalgia.

I'll have to tell you one thing: I will be turning around and re-reading this book quite soon. There are so many plots and sub-plots that sometimes it gets to be a little too much. But the more I read, the more enthralled I became with this novel. I got so caught up in everything that was going on that I just couldn't put this book down.

I must admit that Mary Kay Andrews is one of my favorite authors, but I will let you know right here that I don't always LOVE her books. This I indeed did!

The only tiny problem I had (and I admit that it is my problem alone) is that there was so much young adult issues going on and I'm a little too old to understand some of the lingo etc. Oh well, that's all on me!

Murder, theft, arson, financial show more difficulties, and possible love connections make this a perfect beach read. I have to admit that I didn't finally figure out who was behind all these machinations until the last quarter or so of this book.

I loved this book and can't wait to re-read it...slowly! show less

Traci Eddings was an “ain’t” but she married into The Saint. Then her husband was tragically killed in a plane crash. This left Traci running the St Cecelia, a resort on the coast of Georgia. Now, strange things are happening and her niece has been killed. Traci is not going down without a fight.

Talk about great characters! This book is full of them. And some of them I want to beat with a muddy stick!

Then there are all the plot twists! You have family drama, assault, murder and theft, all in one novel! Everyone needs to start their summer with Mary Kay Andrews! You will not be sorry!

The narrator is Kathleen McInerney. She narrates all of MKA books and she does a fantastic job!

Need a fabulous book to take to the beach or to just show more read wherever…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review. show less

The St. Cecilia, known as “the Saint”, is a sprawling pink themed resort that caters to only the wealthiest on a private island on the coast of Georgia. Under that lavish, polished exterior, however, all is not what it seems.

Those who stay here are known as “the Saints”; the townies who can’t afford to and only work there are the “Ain’ts”. Lifeguard Traci Eddings was an Ain’t until the boss’s son fell in love with and married her. Widowed when he was killed in a plane crash, Traci now tirelessly runs the resort, trying to continue it’s legacy and save it from financial difficulties. She is often at odds with her unscrupulous brother-in-law who never accepted her into the family. As she strives to staff the resort show more for the summer, there seems to be something nefarious going on and when someone ends up dead, there is that mystery to solve, along with what is going on with complaints of inferior supplies, as well as what really happened when a young child drown there many years ago. Oh, and, there may be a new man in her life as well!

Mary Kay Andrews is a popular author and this is the first book of hers that I have read. Despite the length, it was a fast, very engrossing read. A multi layered story, some of it was predictable, other times there were surprises. Genre bending and contemporary, there was mystery, family drama, and some romance. I liked how the first few chapters introduced the main players and their stories before pulling them together and I loved the setting. This was a pleasing read, perfect for days at the beach! show less