Loved this sweet story! The mix-ups were charming and the kids in the story were too. Well done, as is always the case for Susan Mallery!

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for an advanced audiobook.

Unfortunately, for me… this was mediocre and had zero beach vibes.

Not much happened in this story outside of some family drama with two friends that were dating each others brothers. One of those brothers was a huge narcissist and so unlikable, and him cheating on his sister’s friend was the main drama of the story. The romances all felt instantaneous and I had trouble believing in any of the pairs’ chemistry.

The audiobook narrator also really irked me. The way she enunciated many words and said the word “to” made me cringe every time.

3.25 stars! 🌟 Huge thanks to Harlequin Audio & NetGalley for the ALC! 💌

Okay, so… BEACH VIBES? More like mild ocean breeze with a side of family drama. 😭

I went into this hoping for a fun, summery, lighthearted beach read, but instead, I got secrets, betrayal, and a whole lot of questionable decisions. Like, girl, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?? 🤦‍♀️

Beth owns a successful sandwich shop by the beach (love that for her). She’s also ride-or-die for her brother, Rick, who is a doctor. Cool, right? WRONG. Because homeboy decides to date her best friend Jana AND ALSO CHEAT ON HER. 🚩🚩🚩

Now Beth has to choose: protect her brother or tell her bestie the truth. And let me tell you, the drama was DRAMAAAAA. 🫣

WHAT WORKED FOR ME:
✔️ Sandwich shop setting 🍞🥪—loved the beachy small-town vibe.
✔️ The theme of loyalty vs. doing the right thing—messy, complicated, and definitely made me think.
✔️ Beth’s personal growth—she started off way too protective of her brother (like, girl, CHILL), but she did get better.

WHAT DIDN’T WORK FOR ME:
❌ The whole "dating someone but never mentioning his name" thing? Completely unbelievable. Who does that?! 😩
❌ Rick. Just… RICK. The man had zero remorse and somehow thought his situation was funny? 🚮
❌ The romance felt so RANDOM. Like, there was no real chemistry until the book just decided they were in love?? Make it make sense.

The audiobook narrator, Tanya Eby, did a great job, though! 🎧 Even when the story dragged a bit, she kept things engaging.

Would I recommend this? Maybe… if you’re okay with more family drama than beach vibes. Just don’t expect a fun, breezy romance, because this ain't it. 🤷‍♀️

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.

The audiobook is narrated by Tanya Eby. She does a great job giving the various characters voices and the flow of the narration is very easy to follow.

I

Do yourself a favor and go in BLIND, don't read the blurb, or you'll already know what happens in the book....

I would have enjoyed this book much more if I wouldn't have know what happens.
There are other "twists", but very predictable.

I'm giving this 3 STARS, but it's really only a 2.5ish for me.

I am disappointed in this book. I thought it would be a light read, but the characters weren't great and I didn't like the line about the "sl*tty single mom."

The narrator was okay but there was not a lot of distinction between the different characters.

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.

Thank you Net Galley and Harlequin Audio for the advanced copy of this audio book. I love the characters Jana and Beth, Terry and Deck, the aunt and the kids were all greatly developed characters and well expressed by the narrator. However Beth’s brother Rick’s story line was sad and frustrating with a nod to the possible underlying effects of foster care. A lighthearted story this is not, it also contains some heartbreaking and tense moments with a beautiful story of family loyalty vs doing the right thing. Look for this coming out March 18, 2025.

I love Susan Mallery books and they are usually an automatic for me. I find them to just be so lighthearted and easy. A quick page turner that can be finished in one sitting.

This book centers around one of my favorite tropes: complex family dynamics. Not everyone is truly who they seem to be but others turn out to be even better than expected. This novel is full of complex characters, plot twists and turns.

I listened to the audiobook. Taylor Eby did a great job as the narrator, however, I did find it difficult to distinguish between characters at certain points.

Thank you to NetGallery and to Harlequin Audio for my copy.

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. The narrator was wonderful.

I was looking for a fun, beach-themed book to enjoy during this crazy winter, so I thought a title like Beach Vibes would be perfect. However, I was very disappointed. All the characters came across as insufferable. They all seemed younger than their actual ages and were too whiny for my taste. I did loved the theme of family loyalty, as the characters all wanted to support and respect each other. Although this book isn't my favorite, it may be what you're looking for.

I listened to the audiobook, and while I didn't particularly enjoy the story, Taylor Eby did a great job as the narrator. It’s not easy being a single narrator, and she kept the book moving well.

Thank you to NetGallery and to Harlequin Audio for my copy.

I wish this book had more than just the one narrator. It was confusing to keep the characters apart because there was only one narrator.

Beach Vibes Honest ARC Review:

Love and Loyalty are in a bit of a collision course with this heartfelt novel. This involves family, trust, secrets and betrayal. Characters that are seemingly genuine and perfect are not necessarily so and at the same time, characters that are truly genuine and hold good intentions may be perceived poorly.

This novel is full of complex characters, plot twists and turns. It starts off like a cozy romance and takes the reader on quite a journey. This is realistic and heartfelt.

Will the main characters have their happily ever after? Will Beth feel like she is betraying her best friend or her brother?


I’m so glad to have read this!! Definitely 💯 one to add to your TBR!

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. I had this book in an audiobook format and it was an enjoyable book to listen to. The narrator's voice was enjoyable. Once you start listening to it you will be unable to stop!

🎧Audiobook Review🎧

3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you NetGalley and harlequin audio for the audio ARC!

I’m a big Susan Mallery fan but this book wasn’t my fav. But I think it was the audio. It’s single narrator and there is so many characters in this story that it made it super confusing to keep track of when it’s the same voice for them all. I think if I read physically read it I will enjoy it more. Because I did enjoy the plot and all the characters.

The book turned out to be a great read. When I first started this book it was slow and I thought it might end up being a did not finish. But I love Susan Mallery books so I pushed through and was awarded for that. It was a great book about 2 Women (Beth & Jana)that befriend each other and have a lot in common, 1 of them being they both have brothers (1 a Dr, 1 a massage therapist). Jana starts dating Rick(Dr)who she is surprised to find out is Beth's brother. Through the whole book the way Rick treated her, I thought I would never put up with that and I immediately did not like him. Why isn't she kicking him to the curb. Ahh he's a narcissist and she just doesn't realize it. Beth starts dating Jana's brother and feels all the sparks and magic she never knew existed. Rick messes everything up and there are so many interesting details that come out of that and a surprising twist. I was so glad I kept going and wished it would have gone on longer.

I read and then listened to the Audiobook.

Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for the audiobook arc.

(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.