Beach Vibes brings the beach drama! This was a fun read even if it did take a bit to get to the exciting parts. Stay with it! You'll be glad you did.

Beth has always taken care of her brother, she gave up going to culinary school so he could become a doctor. Now she owns her own successful sandwich shop on the beach. She finds a new friend as she is volunteering at a food shelve, and much to her surprise, her brother and friend start dating. Then, when she is introduced to her friends widowed brother, sparks fly. As life is going well, she finds out that her brother is cheating on her friend. If she says something, she's afraid she will lose her friend and her new boyfriend, but if she doesn't, she is lying for her brother.

This is a fun beach read! It delves into the family dynamics and how strong they can be. Great characters and a great plot!

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in return for my honest review.

Now that it’s finally starting to get a little warmer here, my inner mood reader is ready for some beach reads so of course I had to reach for Susan Mallery’s new book Beach Vibes first.

Beth is divorced and living in Malibu with her aunt. Beth owns a popular sandwich shop on the beach and she also likes to spend her time volunteering at the local food bank, where she has recently made a new friend, Jana. Beth’s younger brother, Rick, also lives in the area. He’s a surgeon and doing well for himself, but Beth still feels the need to play the protective older sister. Worlds collide when Rick brings his new girlfriend around and it turns out to be Beth’s friend, Jana. Beth also soon ends up dating Teddy, Jana’s brother.

At first everything is going great & Beth is imagining their futures together as one big happy family, but then she catches Rick cheating on Jana and ends up in the dilemma of all dilemmas - does she betray her cheating brother or does she keep his secret and risk losing Jana’s friendship and Teddy’s love if it ever comes out that Rick cheated and she knew about it?

Oh my gosh, the drama! I felt for Beth because what an impossible situation to be put in. I also loved how Mallery wrote all of these characters as flawed, messy, and realistic. I have to say though that, unlike Beth, I would not have had a dilemma. I would have thrown Rick under the bus in a heartbeat and saved my friendship and relationship, haha. I’m sure I would have felt differently if Rick was my brother, but I just hated how condescending he was toward Beth and wanted her to tell him off so badly instead of always giving him a pass.

If you like stories about family, friendship, betrayal & forgiveness, and the lengths people will go to for loved ones, check out Beach Vibes.

I'm a fan of Susan Mallery's books, so I was excited to have the opportunity to read her latest beach read!

Beth owns a popular sub shop at the beach. She's recently divorced and has found herself in a rut. She's close to her brother who is a talented surgeon. Imagine her surprise when her new friend Jana is dating her brother, Rick! Even more surprising to find herself involved with Jana's brother, Teddy, a widower with three children! Things are great until Beth discovers that Rick is not only dating Jana, but also another woman! Should Beth tell Jana and Teddy, or keep her brother's secret?

Of course, the drama lies in loyalties to friends and family. This was an interesting read! Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advanced Reader Copy of this title, which is available for purchase now!

This is my second book by this author. The first one I DNF because of how slow it was. This book was nearly a DNF, but I powered through. The pacing is excruciatingly slow. The conflict that is the main point of the book didn't happen until about 70% through the book. The title has nothing to do with the book, except it is set in Malibu and one of the FMC has a sandwich shop near the beach. None of the characters were likeable enough that I cared about what happened to them.

I received a digital ARC thanks to Netgalley and the publisher. Full disclosure: I didn't get to this ARC before pub date, so I checked out the audiobook so I could get through it faster.

This was my first Susan Mallory book and it certainly won’t be my last. I enjoyed the family connections with the characters, the building of friendships and the dynamics that come with new relationships, love and family drama. I liked how Susan Mallory focused on the children as they play an important roll in the adults’ relationships.
I didn’t feel that the title of “Beach Vibes” fit the story, so if you’re looking for that, you’ll want to read the book jacket description again to make sure the book is a good fit before you start.
I’m not a reader who is drawn towards a book series, but as I finished the book, I found myself wondering about what would come next for the characters. I would definitely be interested in reading a sequel that follows Jana and Beth as they settle into their new relationships.

Thanks to Harlequin Trade Publishing | Canary Street Press for the opportunity to read this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

DNF @ 33%

Beach Vibes? This book is not it. I didn’t feel an ounce of beach vibes. The premise of this story sounded so promising and I was really hoping for a lot of drama. However, the characters were one dimensional and robotic. Don’t get me started on that first time scene between Rick and Jana — CRINGE! I didn’t connect to them on any level. For supposedly intelligent people, these characters made stupid decisions. I read a spoiler about Beth’s choice when he came to her brother and Jana. Whomp whomp. Big fail, Beth.

Thanks to Canary Street Press for a gifted copy. My thoughts are my own.

As the big sister, Beth has always been there to take care of her brother Rick, even giving up her own career dream to help him afford medical school. Now he's a surgeon with a successful career and a beautiful home and she's proud of what he's become. But sometimes we're the most blind with those we're closest to. She's faced with an impossible choice when she discovers her brother is cheating on her best friend...betray her brother or risk losing her friend and her brother Teddy, the man Beth has grown to love.
These women both had a lot to learn, especially Janna. Rick's awful behavior seemed quite obvious. I liked all of the characters except obviously Rick and the Malibu setting is beautiful and perfect for this beach read. The creative sandwiches in Beth's shop were fun and inspirational. Mmm, lol!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Beth is happy living in Malibu and running a shop in Malibu called Surf Sandwiches. When her beloved brother Rick cheats on her best friend, things change. She is caught in a stressful situation where she has to choose between family and friendship.

I wanted to read Beach Vibes because I always love Susan Mallery's books.

I liked the California setting and the sandwich shop. I also liked Beth, a likable protagonist who grows through the course of the book. I recommend Beach Vibes for fans of women's fiction. It's an enjoyable read!

Traveling With T’s Thoughts:

Susan Mallery has a formula to her writing. I know it, you know it, everybody in the whole world knows it. I keep getting her books because they are enjoyable even when I know where things are headed. I’m cool with that.

Her last few books have also gotten more stereotypical in her characters as well. And the character’s traits are more pronounced- like instead of just being a mildly shitty- ass character, they go for douche-canoe all gold medal Olympic shitty behavior.

Again, I know this.

I have to say that I absolutely fell in love with the cover and even though I knew the title would be a bit misleading, I requested it. And I did like it!

But that is because I know what to expect when I pick up a book by her. Others might see the cover and think easy-breezy reading.

What I liked:

The cover, obviously.

Beth and Jana. Their friendship is goals. The pain they both put each other through- believable.

Where I want to rant:

The dynamic between Beth and Rick. We know Rick is a shit. Hell, it tells us that in the back cover copy. Yes, I get the sister vibe of wanting to take care of your brother, but when your own grandmother (I think I have the right character) is telling you that your brother is a shit, read the room. READ THE DAMN ROOM.



Bottom line: Fans of Susan Mallery will eat this book up and if I’m ever in California, I want to visit Beth’s sandwich shop.



*This book was sent to Traveling With T for review consideration. All thoughts and opinions are mine alone.*

There were so many emotions that I felt while reading this book, which is exactly why I was looking forward to reading it. Susan Mallery always tells us a beautiful, heartwarming story.
I loved the Coastal town vibe of this book and the characters with their own unique personalities, they were well developed and so likable and relatable. I was drawn to each one of them as they struggled to find their happy ever after. I was rooting for them with every page I turned!
Although I felt the story was slow moving and repetitive at times, and somewhat predictable, it was still Incredibly moving and kept me engaged, I enjoyed letting the story unfold. It was a perfect blend of drama, heartbreak, romance, love and forgiveness. The journey was memorable and recommendable.

I have been a Susan Mallery fan for a long time. I feel like she writes the best friendships you can read about. I just loved all the characters. The friendship between Beth and Jana is a beautiful thing. The secrets and betrayal make for a great read.

I really enjoyed the book. It makes you wonder what other people would do in Beth’s situation. I loved Beth and couldn’t imagine being put in the spot she was. I really felt for Beth. While it’s not my favorite Susan Mallery book, it’s worth the read.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade for an advance copy in exchange for a honest review.

I was so excited to receive an ARC for this book. What an easy beach chair read. Susan Mallery is a literary genius. I pack one of her books every time I head down to the beach. I want to thank Susan Mallery, Harlequin Trade Publishing | Canary Street Press, and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Beth Nield and her brother Rick were raised in foster care until they were rescued by their Aunt Agatha. Beth is proud of her brother, who is now a successful surgeon, but he is naive when it comes to women and Beth is always there to give advice and help. When they were children, Rick did something to save Beth and she feels it is her responsibility to protect him. Beth runs a successful Sandwich Shop, Surf Sandwiches, on Malibu beach. She is divorced and lives with her Aunt. Once a week, she volunteers at the food bank and has become friends with one of the other volunteers, Jana Mead, who is also a part time medical billing clerk. When Rick introduces Jana to Beth as his new girlfriend, she is surprised. Things become complicated when Beth meets Jana's widowed brother, Teddy, and they hit it off. They begin dating and Rick wants her to break it off. She doesn't know why, but refuses. When she catches Rick cheating on Jana, it puts her in a tough spot, but he is her brother, she has to believe him, doesn't she?

I really liked Beth. She had been raised under difficult situations until her aunt came along. She was so protective of her younger brother and wouldn't let anything hurt him. Unfortunately this spoils Rick and blinds Beth to any of his faults. Jana is another wonderful character. She has a daughter that she has raised as a single mother, but with help from Teddy. Teddy has two children and Jana helps with them. She is thoughtful, caring, loyal, hardworking and a wonderful mother and aunt. I really liked the friendship that Beth and Jana developed. I like plots where women support women. The three kids are all adorable. Raised with good values, they are polite and respectful, but also a little precocious and ask questions and make statements that caused a few uncomfortable feelings. Teddy also has a best friend, Max, who helps him with the kids and acts as a sounding board for Jana. All these characters work together in life to make themselves comfortable and successful. I didn't like all the characters at the end and you will have to read this one to find out why. This is a wonderful book full of family relationships, love, friendship, personal growth and some romance. There is drama, but that adds to the character development. I really enjoyed this story in both the ebook and audiobook format. I recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good family story, one with friendship, some turmoil, cute kids, and romance.

This was a light romantic story that Mallery seems to always provide so well as an author. If you are looking for a good beach read this Spring, this is the one for you.

The gorgeous cover originally caught my eye, and the story inside did not disappoint! This is the ultimate family drama. It started a little slow but then definitely picked up. I do think the cover and title are a little misleading. While this is a great book, it doesn't really give beach vibes. I wouldn't recommend this as a summer read by the ocean. This is a heavier, more dramatic read, but the cover kind of makes it look like a romcom.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of Susan Mallery’s newest novel, Beach Vibes. Beth is newly divorced, living with her outgoing aunt who gets more action than she does, and juggling the demands of owning a popular sandwich shop. Beth isn’t looking for love but she’s rooting for her brother Rick to find his person. When he introduces her to his new girlfriend and it’s Beth’s new friend Jana, part of her is thrilled and part of her is worried….. with good reason.

Things get complicated when Rick shows his true colors to Jana and Beth in different but equally devastating ways. Jana is a single mom working hard to earn a nursing degree, and Rick is a respected surgeon. What could have been a perfect match turns out to be anything but, straining Beth and Jana’s friendship and potentially destroying Beth’s chance real happiness.

Beach Vibes is a devour-in-one-sitting book that should be at the top of everyone’s summer must-read list.

This women's fiction novel by Susan Mallery showcases friendship and family and how complicated love and relationships can be. While perhaps not as typical as some of the author's work, I enjoyed how the story developed and recommend it.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. Not just a fun little beach read, but one full of secrets and bad decisions. And what a fun book it was.

Perfect pick for my recent holiday!
This is more than a romance. It’s a story about loyalty and love for family and friends. Of course I enjoyed the beach town setting. I also enjoyed Beth and Jana’s friendship journey. It was a fast and enjoyable read. Perfect for the beach.