Title: Beach Vibes
Publisher: 30th April 2025 by HQ Fiction
Pages: 368 pages
Genre: General Fiction | Women’s Fiction | Romance
Synopsis:
What would you do if you caught your brother cheating on your best friend?
While Beth is proud of her Malibu beach shop, Surf Sandwiches, she’s even prouder of her charismatic brother, Rick, who rose from foster care all the way through surgical residency. She makes subs, he saves lives. Things take a turn for the happy after she finds out Rick is dating her new best friend, Jana. Then Jana’s handsome brother adds even more sparkle to Beth’s days...and nights.
But when she catches Rick with another woman — like, with with — her visions of an idyllic family future disappear in one awful instant. Either she betrays her brother or she keeps his secret and risks losing the man she loves and her best friend.
Love and loyalty collide with secrets and betrayal in this witty and emotional tale about the lengths we’ll go to for family, from Susan Mallery, bestselling author of The Boardwalk Bookshop.
My Thoughts
My first Susan Mallory book and I really enjoyed it - good quality escapism. It does not have much to do with ‘beach vibes’ to be honest, but it has a highly engaging family drama which both intrigued and grabbed me.
There is Beth proud of her Malibu beach shop, Surf Sandwiches and her brother who she has always supported and is now a surgeon. Then there is Beth’s best friend, Jana and her brother who is a widow and father to three children. The four hit it off and all look to be heading to a rosy future …. until it isn’t. I don’t want to give away much as the angst surrounding the colliding of love and loyalty are certainly front and centre in this tale.
A super engaging and complex family drama making readers consider, “what would you do?” A story of family dynamics, loyalty, friendship, romance and most definitely, betrayal. It is certainly a bittersweet read and more than just a romance. I recommend giving it a go.
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.