I’ve been holding off on writing this review because I can never seem to find the words to do justice to KWH’s stories. Her writing ALWAYS pulls me in, effortlessly blending love, family, drama, self-discovery, and a touch of mystery. The premise for this book was so unique: a mother and daughter move into a “mommune” (a home where single women band together to help raise their families) after hitting rock bottom. I absolutely adored the small North Carolina beach town setting, the dynamic and relatable large cast of characters, the multiple love stories, the high school friendships and the super fun town gossip column (it gave me major Gossip Girl vibes). I savored every page and will always seek comfort in the story.

Read if you like:
-Found family
-Friendship fiction
-Multiple love stories
-Gossip blogs
-North Carolina beach setting

Thank you Gallery for the gifted early copy.

Loved this book! It might KWH’s best book yet! Women finding the other women who wholeheartedly support them is such an important part of our world! This book is a fantastic example of that! And then adding in teenagers who know their opinions and voice them! It’s a great world! Loved the mystery that happens throughout the book and how the storyline develops!

Such a fun book that will have you longing for true friendship and the beach! So many twists and turns I didn't see coming-a real page turner and original, one of a kind story. Loved every second of this one!

LOVE Kristy Woodson Harvey. I know this will be a hit this summer. I really enjoyed the focus on strong women and girls. And of course I am always happy with the author’s warm beachy settings. 5/5 for me!

Beach House Rules by Kristy Woodson Harvey is a heartfelt and beautifully written novel that delves into the complexities of family, forgiveness, and the bonds we form in unexpected places. Set in the charming town of Juniper Shores, the story follows Charlotte and her daughter Iris, two women who, despite their vastly different circumstances, find comfort and connection with the other families in their unique "mommunity."

As Charlotte and Iris navigate the ups and downs of their new, unconventional family dynamic, they uncover a long-buried secret that changes everything they thought they knew about their relationships. The discovery of this link forces both women to confront their pasts, their desires for the future, and the community they’ve come to love. The tension between the secrets and the growing sisterhood adds layers of intrigue, making this a compelling read from start to finish.

Harvey’s prose is rich with emotion and wit, and her characters are so well-crafted that they feel like old friends by the end of the novel. The way she explores themes of belonging and identity, as well as the complexity of modern relationships, makes Beach House Rules a truly special story. It’s a perfect blend of lighthearted moments and deeper emotional exploration. I couldn’t put it down—this book is definitely deserving of 5 stars!

Kristy Woodson Harvey is one of my absolute favorite contemporary Southern fiction authors, and her latest novel, Beach House Rules, is nothing short of spectacular. From the very first page, this story captivated me, and I was hooked until the final line.

The novel follows Charlotte and her daughter, Iris, as their lives are upended when Charlotte’s husband is arrested for white-collar crimes. Left with little choice, they accept an offer to stay with Alice, the owner of a charming beachfront bed-and-breakfast turned sanctuary for single moms and their children, affectionately called the “mommune.” From the moment they arrive, the story takes off, weaving a beautiful tale of resilience, friendship, and the power of community.

The originality of the plot absolutely blew me away! Kristy Woodson Harvey masterfully balances humor and heart, crafting a story that’s both laugh-out-loud funny and deeply touching. The characters—every single one of them—are richly developed and memorable, making the reader feel as though they’re part of the “mommune” themselves.

Kristy Woodson Harvey has once again proven why she’s a must-read author. Beach House Rules is a brilliant, heartfelt novel that will stay with you long after you turn the last page. It’s an easy 5-star read and one I’ll be recommending to everyone I know!

Thanks to NetGalley and Gallery Books for the opportunity to read Beach House Rules by Kristy Woodson Harvey, another sweet Southern read from Ms. Harvey.

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for providing this book, with my honest review below.

I wish Juniper Shores was a real place because it sounds absolutely idyllic, and certainly a B&B on the shore would make for a peaceful vacation. Granted I would only want to vacation since the local gossipy Instagram, which added some great commentary to the events in Beach House Rules, was a little too noisy for me. Suffice to say this book took place in a gorgeous setting, was well structured and written, and its plot was so entertaining I am going to be checking to see if there is any way Kristy Woodson Harvey may make it into a series focusing on other residents in the small island.

The plot focuses on Charlotte, who just saw her husband go to jail for suspected fraud (one of his victims being the local country club, which doesn’t help her position in town). Kicked out of her home with a 14 year old daughter, Iris, to support, and not able to find a job in Finance due to not having worked in 14 years and her husband’s accusation, things look rough for Charlotte. Luckily the mommune is here to rescue her, a collective of Alice (a widow with a beautiful beach house who the Juniper Shores gossip site claims killed her three previous husbands), Julie (Alice’s niece who is a journalist and single mom - and who hasn’t been positive about Charlotte’s situation in the papers in the past), and Grace (a divorced mom and domestic goddess who people are obsessed with on social media). It may be an unconventional setup but the story alternates between Iris’s perspective as she navigates high school, Charlotte’s as she tries to find a way to trust her husband and survive, and Alice’s as she does every good deed possible to clear her reputation. The mommune and some of the kids band together to clear Charlotte’s husband's name, and while the journey is maybe a bit hard to believe, the dynamics of this group make it a highly entertaining one.

This book is more than just fun, we see each lady come into her own and Iris start to work through all those feelings that come up with being a teenager. The support and love all offer each other is truly touching, and you know, maybe I’d stay in Juniper Shores for longer than a vacation after all.

The biggest thank you to Gallery for an advanced copy of Beach House Rules and being the first to review this wonderful book!

I'm a huge Kristy Woodson Harvey fan and this was my most anticipated book of 2025 and it was absolutely fantastic!

KWH writes the best Southern fiction and I know that her books are going to have wonderful characters, the best small Southern towns, and be full of friendships and family.

This was an unlikely story of friendship and community when everything is falling apart for Charlotte and her daughter Iris. I loved the different points of view from Charlotte, Iris and Alice as this story unfolded.

The Juniper Shores Socialite posts were hilarious and I loved trying to read between the lines on the gossip! The beauty of these 4 women's friendship and the mommune! I loved that they kept on doing what was working for them and trying to ignore the gossip.

I can't wait for everyone to read Beach House Rules. It doesn't come out until May 27th but I know this is going to be a top book of Summer 2025! KWH fans are going to love this book and if you haven't read any of her amazing books yet you have time to read some of my absolute favorite books.

To sum it up. Beautiful book about friendship and finding community. 😍