Honestly, is it even summer without a Mary Kay Andrews book to read?
You all know my love for MKA runs deep, and The Newcomer hit every expectation that I had for my summer beach read:
— dreamy Southern vacation spot along the water? Check.
— a sweet and plucky heroine? Check.
— a predictable but enjoyable romance with a hot, too-good-to-be-true guy? Check.
— a spot of murder for a dash of intrigue? Check.
When I told my husband the premise of The Newcomer – that Letty and her niece, Maya, are on the run from a hitman after discovering her sister’s dead body – he asked how my “relaxing beach read” can be so darn relaxing with all that death and murder involved.
I mean…I guess he has a point. All I can say is, it just is. Most beach reads are predictable, and having that element of danger in there makes the story a little more exciting.
Do I know that Letty will end up with love interest/hot cop Joe by the end of The Newcomer? Yes.
Do I know if Joe or Letty or anyone else might get shot or kidnapped (or both!) before that happens? NO!
And that’s what adds a certain je ne sais quoi to this MKA beach read.
The Newcomer goes pretty heavy on the drama and thriller aspect. Main character Letty gets herself into some sticky situations. The action wasn’t “read between your fingers held over your eyes” tense, but there were a few moments that had me holding my breath as I turned the page.
There’s also a lot of sweetness in The Newcomer, particularly when it comes to Letty’s interactions with Maya, who Letty is trying keep away from the murder suspect (a.k.a, Maya’s dad!). I loved the interactions between aunt and niece, watching them both adjust to this new life with each other and find a home for themselves among the quirky residents of a roadside motel.
There’s not much more to say about The Newcomer except “Read it.” If you’re an MKA fan, you’ve probably already done this. If you’ve been holding out, consider this book review your encouragement to go out and get yourself a copy. The Newcomer delivers for all your summer beach needs.
What other Mary Kay Andrews books have you read?
And, stay tuned for my book-inspired recipe: Miami Vice Cookies!
