Unfortunately this book was disappointing. The dialogue was so unrealistic to the point it was cringeworthy. At one point Jana made an off-hand comment to her niece that she takes her job as oldest child too seriously which seemed highly inappropriate considering the niece lost her mother. I wanted to slap her. The relationships were shallow. I found myself skipping pages to speed up and find out what happened.

Jana is a single mom who meets a new friend in Beth. Then, she begins dating Beth's brother. Meanwhile, Beth meets Jana's brother and begins dating him. Sound confusing? It's about to get a lot messier.

This was a cute and low-spice romance, and I enjoyed it.

This is a wonderful read about friendship, family, finding oneself, romance, and betrayals. As we navigate through the story, the lives of the characters become tangled up in a no- win situation. The question is who should you be loyal to?Your friend? Your lover ? Your family? It is an impossible decision and the repercussions that follow are devastating. Will things work out in the end? I liked that there wasn’t an immediate happy ending, that there was time taken for everyone to heal and forgive. I would definitely recommend this book. I was given an arc from NetGalley but this is my honest review.

Thank you to the publisher, NetGalley and Susan Mallery for the ARC!

This one started out as a bit slower, however this took off! I loved the twists, turns and loyalty in this novel! The character development was great as well. I already loved Susan’s novels but I loved this!

A good emotional story about family. Beth is lonely. She only has her aunt and brother, but she wants a friend. When she divorced her husband, she realized that she lost all the people she thought were her friends. When Beth and Jana meet, she thinks there is a chance for a good friendship between them. Beth's brother meets Jana and starts to date her. Then Beth meets Jana's brother and starts to date him. Then it all falls apart. It turns out that Rick is dating another woman besides Jana. Beth can't believe her brother would do that. Beth keeps quiet when Rick swears to break it off with the other woman. If Beth tells Jana, she will not only lose a friend, but she will lose the man she has come to love. Things don't always go as planned. Not only does Beth lose her friend and her love, but she also loses her brother. She thought she knew Rick, but it appears that he is a totally different person. How can she come back from this?

Beach Vibes by Susan Mallery is a captivating beach read that delves into themes of love, secrets, betrayal, and the complexities of family dynamics. The characters are truly engaging, and the storyline is filled with intrigue. Once I started reading, I found it impossible to put this book down.

The cover of this book drew me in, but this isn't the beach read that I thought it was going to be. This is the tale of two friends and one of them is dating the others brother. Unfortunately the brother makes some choices that puts both friends in not great situations and circumstances. I like that the author wanted to get us thinking what we would do in that situation, but I was hoping for the beach read I saw on the cover and this one was more a character study. Not a bad book, just not what I expected and needed when I picked it up.

A story of family dynamics, loyalty, friendship, romance, and relationships that form. If you find something out about someone in your family do you tell others that are close to them? Such a difficult question. To answer just depends on the various scenarios and situations.

I think going into this book blindly is best. Just note it’s not as much of a beach read as the cover and title leads too! It’s more of a character driven story of family and friendships. I loved the characters we meet and the personalities that they have. I felt really connected to Beth’s character and the friendship with Jana.

I was super disappointed with this novel. The concept sounded really good and engaging about two friends and complicated family relationships. However I found the characters to be super flat and shallow, I couldn't form an emotional connection to any of the characters.

I also found the dialogue to be stilted and didn't flow, I actually found myself feeling awkward or embarrassed for the characters while listening to the dialogue 🫣 It was so uncomfortable.

Finally the audiobook narrator was terrible. I found her tone to be very monotone and flat. And if an author is doing to have dual POV they should take the time to find a narrator with the ability to create two voices or find two narrators.

I almost DNF'd this book and I wish I had.

Beach Vibes is a life-affirming and captivating read that masterfully explores the complexities of family, romance, betrayal, and personal growth, inspiring you to reflect on your own life journey and the transformative power of love and self-discovery. Beth's selfless devotion to her charismatic brother, Rick, has been the cornerstone of her life, but after her divorce and years of sacrifice, she's finally discovering her own identity, pursuing her passion for running Surf Sandwiches, and nurturing new friendships, including a profound bond with Jana, a nursing student she meets while volunteering at a food bank. As Beth falls deeply in love with Teddy, Jana's brother, and Jana and Rick's relationship blossoms, everything seems to be falling into place. However, when Beth discovers Rick's infidelity, she's torn between exposing the truth and protecting her brother, forcing her to confront the ultimate question: what does it truly mean to love and be loyal? What resonated with me most about this book was its thoughtful and nuanced portrayal of complex family dynamics, and how it shows that even in the darkest moments, there is always hope for healing and redemption. Beth's inner turmoil, as she grapples with the delicate balance between love, loyalty, and self-respect, is both deeply relatable and profoundly inspiring. While the California beach setting is vividly described, I wished it had played a more integral role in the characters' daily lives. Although Beth's journey is deeply empowering, I struggled to connect with Rick's character, as his actions often felt extreme and hurtful. Nevertheless, this book is a powerful exploration of the human experience, delving into the intricacies of relationships, grief, resilience, and healing, and offering a poignant reminder that love, heartbreak, and self-discovery are all intertwined. As the tension builds in the second half, you'll find yourself fully invested in the characters' lives, and although the journey is intense, the conclusion will leave you feeling hopeful, uplifted, and inspired to embrace the transformative power of love and self-discovery. If you're drawn to stories that celebrate the human capacity for growth, forgiveness, and redemption, then this book is an absolute must-read.

In masterful fashion, Mallery exposes the complicated relationships within families and how we sometimes see what we want to see. While Rick centers the story (rat-bastard) it is really about Jana and Beth and learning to trust your gut while remaining open to possibilities.
4.5 stars

DNFed @ 25%

This isn’t my cup of tea at all, I’m sorry. I love both Beth and Jana who are both generous women who deserve the world but this made me so uncomfortable. They’re friends, but the second Beth realises Jana is dating her brother Rick she starts doubting her and her motivations. I thought I was in for a beautiful female friendship tale and this was so disappointing. Rick is so off-putting too as we see him lying and cheating. It’s very hard to root for those characters after certain scenes. And lastly, content warning for domestic violence towards a child (in the past but still).

This was way too much for me. It was my first Susan Mallery and I know she’s beloved, I’ll just have to trust that her catalogue is more uplifting than this.

I read the book and listened to the audiobook. The audiobook was a little confusing because of all the different characters and just one narrator. Overall it was a cute book

What a great story from Susan Mallery in this stand alone book. I love her books and this one did not disappoint. The characters in this book are well developed and you find yourself loving and cheering for some and absolutely hating others. It has some intense parts which keep you thinking. It is a great story of family relationships, different personalities, loyalty, betrayal and love. Once you start reading it you will be unable to put it down!

This is a book whose emotional tale ebbs and flows like the waves on a beach. It is a thought provoking story about friendship, loyalty, trust, and family. Beth has to face some hard truths during the story and make decisions about what makes her happy, who she wants to be, and what family really means. Jana is struggling to balance work, college, a relationship, and single motherhood. Beth's brother Rick has hidden depths to his character that come out and affect everyone. Teddy shares his house with his sister Jana and his three children. He has his friendship with his best friend Dex, a successful business, but has been a widower for five years and starts to realize he is lonely. Dex is quietly in the background supporting Teddy and Jana. His help is needed when deception, secrets, and loyalty are put to the test. This is a powerful story that has you wondering what would you do for your family and your friends.

Beach Vibes was a solid read, but it didn’t quite live up to my expectations. The premise is engaging—Beth’s dilemma of catching her brother, Rick, cheating on her best friend Jana, while being caught between loyalty and love, created a lot of emotional tension. I could relate to the moral dilemma Beth faced, and her loyalty to both her family and her best friend felt real.

Beth’s life in Malibu, running her beach shop, was a nice touch, creating a fun, relaxed backdrop for the more serious emotional and moral conflicts she faces. The contrast between her laid-back business and the drama with Rick and Jana worked well, though I sometimes felt like the narrative didn’t dig deeply enough into Beth’s internal conflict. She felt somewhat passive at times, especially when it came to her relationship with her brother, which made it harder to fully connect with her on a deeper level.

The romance between Beth and Jana’s brother was sweet, but honestly, it felt a bit predictable and didn’t bring as much spark to the story as I was hoping. I didn’t feel the chemistry was fully developed, which made the love triangle part of the story less compelling than it could have been.

Overall, Beach Vibes is a good read, but not one that really stood out. The family dynamics and the moral questions Beth has to navigate were interesting, but the pacing and character development left me wanting a bit more. If you're looking for a light, easy read with some drama, it’s worth picking up.

Beach Vibes is not your typical beach read as you might think. It is much deeper than that. This is a story of love, loss, family and all the complications that can come from it all. I enjoyed most of the characters and how Susan Mallery developed the characters. I did not like Rick though. Pick this up just in time for spring break!

Thank you Net Galley, Susan Mallery and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the opportunity to preview this title. The opinions expressed are my own.
Beach Vibes is expected to be released March 18, 2025.

Susan Mallery has written another great read! Get this one for your Spring Break beach read. Susan Mallery always writes a great untraditional family dynamic. Her characters are relatable and genuine which makes it so easy to become truly invested. Mallery has done a great job of exploring the bonds of family and how it sometimes blinds us from seeing who those people really are.
Beth a newly divorced business owner is longing for a social life outside of her employees and customers, she would love to get back into the dating and nights out with friends. Her current dinner dates are her brother Rick and Aunt Agatha. Beth soon meets Jana while volunteering at the food bank and they begin spending time together, but Beth does not realizes that her new friend is also her brothers new girlfriend. Once Jana and Beth figure out they have a common link to Rick things get interesting and secrets begin to unfold. Beth´s loyalty will be tested, will she choose her family or her best friend?

(3.5 rounded up)
Beach Vibes is a character driven story of family, friendship, and the complexities, sacrifices, and betrayals that come with relationships. A journey of self discovery, loss, trust, loyalty, and learning that things aren’t always what they seem. Two single women, who become good friends while volunteering at the local food bank, end up dating each other's brother, not knowing it at first. Relationships are hard and sometimes complicated, so dating people in your inner circle could lead to a sticky complicated mess. What could possibly go wrong?

I enjoyed the family dynamics, most of the characters, especially the kids, and the character growth from the beginning to end. The plot wasn’t complex or too deep, making it an easy read, which would make for a good “beach read” but it was also a good representation that life isn't always perfect and family isn't always loving.

The story is set on a beach in Malibu, and although I think the cover if colorful and eye catching, the cover and title don’t represent the story inside, except for the MC owning the Surf Sandwich Shop near the beach. Being my first “beach read” in 2025, I was hoping for warm, summer, "beach vibes" in the plot.

The audiobook helped keep the story entertaining. The narrator, Tanya Eby, did an impressive job with the multiple character voices, and bringing the characters and story to life. From pacing, to dialect and inflection, Eby created an easy to listen and follow along with experience. She delivered a flawless performance from start to finish.

Thank you @htpbooks, @htp_hive, @harlequinaudio, @canarystreetpress, and @netgalley for the #gifted ARC & ALC in exchange for an honest review.

An emotional journey of love, loss and going with your heart! Mallery is adept at weaving a character into an attention grabbing, easy to like individual while setting the stage to develop the core plot to allow her reader to co-exist in their world. Descriptive prose made it easy to like Beth and her business life while joining her on her journey to help others and broaden her circle with the new friend she meets while volunteering. Jana has a heartwarming family backdrop to guide her as she builds a better life for she and her young daughter. She doesn't always trust her instincts after past mistakes, but hopes for a brighter future with each undertaking. I enjoyed their friendship and the twists and turns it took as things didn't add up to what they were expecting, but the depth of their caring enables them through.

I enjoyed this book as a whole and felt like there was a delightful story told and enjoyed, but there was also a void left in giving a resolution. I feel like at some point there should have been something further between Beth and her brother and fallout if there was going to be any from her continued connection with him. I definitely walked away lacking a satisfactory conclusion to all of the emotions.