This is a fun story and has some very satisfying moments. Some are tender and some are more putting wrongs to right. Really part of what I'm going to write on here is going to sound contradictory but it is, in fact, truth. I am not a fan of conflict, thus enemies to love is not a fav trope for me. If you love that trope and I know so many people do, then you ought to love this book. The conflict lasted for over half of the story which is too long for my personal tastes but some of it was pretty funny. But for a person who dislikes conflict so much, I have to say that I really enjoy it when a villain type character gets what's coming to him/her. It is a form of conflict and yet that type of conflict I love. I hate it when bad people get away with bad things. Think Mr. Potter in It's a Wonderful Life. Drives me crazy that he doesn't get caught for keeping that $8000 and his toadie is even worse for not stepping up with the truth. I get great satisfaction in someone standing up to the "bad guy". And I really enjoyed that moment in this book. So satisfying.

Like I said, the enemies part of this relationship lasted a really long time. A lot of it really had more to do with other things that had tainted their relationship in the past than anything else. I enjoyed the sigh of relief when their relationship began to turn and they began to be nice to each other. I think they began to be able to see the other clearly which in turn changed how they felt about the other. And when the love shows through, it is sweet. They still enjoy teasing each other but it isn't mean spirited. Some parts of the story obviously avoided things that I dislike in a book, like them falling in love wasn't prevented or marred by refusing to have a conversation that would have cleared up everything in a few minutes. They do talk about things. I think the author kept the story moving at a good pace and used wise practices. Good job developing the story.

What I still wanted more about was what happened to his grandmother's business or is she still alive at the epilogue? Did it go to the awful cousin? And were there no repercussions for the house break in?

I listened to the audiobook and thought the narrators did a good job with the dual narration. Well done.

This was an enjoyable story.

Sex: implied marital relations
Language: no
Violence: no
*I received a complimentary audiobook through NetGalley and voluntarily chose to review it.

This is part of a delightful, clean beachy series. There are characters that overlap each book, but each could be read as a standalone. I have read three or four of the other books in the series and enjoyed them. They are all easy romcoms set on a small island. This book I was able to listen to the audiobook version and the narrators did a good job with the story. There was something about this story that didn’t resonate with me. I felt like Phoenix was a little too gruff and a bit chauvinistic Holland on the other hand was quite immature. I’m not sure what the age difference of the two were, but it definitely showed. I like the storyline of fake marriage and how they were able to find their true feelings for each other, but I just really did not connect with the characters. I do appreciate it as a clean romance, I am sure many others will disagree with me so I encourage you to read it for yourself and hopefully you’ll love it. I’m giving the 3.5 stars, rounding up to 4. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Beauty and the Beach
by Gracie Ruth Mitchell
Narrated by Rylee Kuberra; John Rogers

I received an ARC of this audiobook through Netgalley.

This is a heart wrenching dramedy romance.

There is one scene that may trigger some people where a woman is put over a man’s shoulder without her permission. Nothing beyond that happens. I just wanted to assure you of that up front. I think the book would have been better without that scene, but that’s is left to the author’s discretion.

Phoenix is a serious man with a serious demeanor and outlook at all times. He is pushy, self-assured, honest, blunt, and more than rough around the edges.

Holland is a free-spirited woman with a pocket of sunshine and a pocket of arsenic - not literally, but figuratively. She is happy with a serious side of snark, which she unleashes almost solely on Phoenix.

They have a shared past which includes a car accident they were in and survived, but Holland’s brother, Trevor (Phoenix’s best friend) did not.

Due to a crazy matriarch grandmother that owns a thriving business and is holding the inheritance of the company over her family’s heads, Phoenix and Holland get contractually married.

This is a romance, but it will also make you cry. It is entirely worth the listen!

ALC Review

Beauty and the Beach by Gracie Ruth Mitchell

Series: Falling for Summer bk 5
Genre: Sweet Island Rom-Com
Audio Release Date: July 17, 2024
Narrators: Rylee Kuberra & John Rogers
Indie published

My Favorite Parts:
Hair salon
Rich MMC
Hilarious nicknames
A funny proposal
Overcoming grief
Marriage of Convenience
Enemies to more
That moment in his office 😳
Their wedding photos shoot😂
Their wedding clothes 🤪🤣🤣
The dream/nightmare
Nicknames

Thoughts:
This was my first Falling for Summer novel and first modern marriage of convenience and oh my gosh, mixed with enemies to more makes for a book full of tension, hilarious banter, and moments that will have you trying to decide which side to root for. Lol!
By the end, you want to root for both.
This book had me grieving for the characters, laughing out loud, hating his family sometimes, falling in love with Sunset Harbor, and swooning so hard by the end.

Holland and Phoenix hate each other! And for good reason, but you have to read the book to find out why. Their banter and chemistry is so hot and sizzling! Their pranks on each other are some of the funniest I’ve read in books. Hmmm…gives me some ideas. 🤔Lol!
Their nicknames will have you gasping, laughing, cringing, and by the end sighing and swooning.
This one is definitely a new favorite and I had so much fun visiting Sunset Harbor for the first time.

Oh my goodness, you will come to hate Phoenix’s grandma. She is a piece of work, let me tell you! 🤮

The audio was excellent! I love dual pov with male and female doing each respective POV. I have listened to other Rylee K. and John R. narrated books and they might be my favorite dual narrator team. They did such a great job on this one! Highly recommend the audio and this book!

I received a complimentary copy of the audiobook from the publisher from Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion. All thoughts are my own.

Content Warning: mild discussion/thoughts about menstruation, tampons, and pads (not in a gross way), implied s*x, lingerie (not on a person)

Trigger Warning: death of family member (past), car accident (past), parent separation (past), working through grief (present)

I read this book and immediately requested the audiobook so that I could reread it literally the very next week. The narration was fantastic and I just ADORE this story so stinking much! I am thrilled to have it in all three formats—and I’m totally getting my bookstahusband to listen to it with me too.

The day I finished reading it the first time my husband had actually pulled the movie, The Proposal, up to watch. As we fast forwarded through a couple scenes I realized that this book has some of the best vibes from that movie, but like ten times better, AND without any questionable content. So, just putting that out there for any fans of that movie.

This book is laugh out loud hilarious with the best banter and pranking between these two who think they are enemies, but really, they’re not at all—and watching them discover that is just bliss.
There are some deep themes to this story too, and they are done just beautifully—in true Gracie fashion. I laughed so much, I cried, and I swooned a ridiculous amount in this amazing marriage of convenience story.

The marriage of convenience of Phoenix and Holland

He’s the absolute worst. She’s the most infuriating. The two can’t stand each other, but also can’t stop thinking about one another.

From playing petty pranks to suddenly getting married so Phoenix can inherit the family business and Holland can help her family out.

Sparks fly between these two as they try to convince Phoenix’s family that the marriage is real and the two are in fact madly in love.

Can they pull the fake marriage off? Can the two admit they have feelings for each other?

Brace yourself for laugh out loud moments, the sparkiest first kiss, family drama and the tender moments.

Rylee Kuberra and John Rogers deliver another great performance. The dual voicing adds to the already stellar story.

Rating: 4.5/5

I loved this one! It was a great marriage of convenience that really put the ENEMIES in enemies to lovers. The banter between Phoenix and Holland was off the charts, especially in the beginning, and I loved their various nicknames to bug each other.

Grief was a big part of this story and I loved how that shared loss brought them together. Phoenix was so caring and thoughtful as he helps Holland work through her guilt. So many sweet moments.

The audiobook narration is done really well. Highly recommend!

Content: kissing

Beauty and the Beach is part of the Falling for Summer series but it will work just fine as a standalone. The story takes place on the fictional island of Sunset Harbor, off Florida’s coast.

Beauty and the Beach follows Holland and Phoenix on a fantastic enemies-to-lovers journey. As the story plays out, both Holland and Phoenix realize maybe they were not enemies after all.

This is a story I should hate from a moral standpoint. The plot is dark and messed up but I still loved it. The premise is that Phoenix’s grandma is on her deathbed and she will only let someone who is married take control of the family company after she passes. Holland needs money so they get married as a business deal with plans to split after Phoenix’s grandma passes. For a lack of better words, how shitty is that?

Even with that premise I could not help but fall in love with the story and the characters. I love all the nicknames Phoenix and Holland call each other. They both have a tragic shared past and I like how it was a drip feed of information finding out what happened.

Just like Beachy Keen, this is the perfect book to read while relaxing on a beach this summer.

This was such a a fun, fresh book for summer. I absolutely loved the fun banter and the character development. It was such a fun summer audio.

I had high expectations for Beauty & the Beach. The plot sounded adorable and I do love a modern marriage of convenience story.

The romance was fantastic. Phoenix and Holland were perfect enemies to lovers. I couldn't get enough of the banter and nicknames. They also had sooo much chemistry, my gosh! There's only kissing here but the kisses were hot, hot, hot! I think the tension is what really sells the romance and makes this closed door romance still sexy. The romance is believable and paced well. I really loved Phoenix & Holland's dynamic.

This book is summer vibes. I really enjoyed the setting and made me wish I was on a beach while reading this. This book is definitely my sense of humor. I could not stop smiling/laughing. A true romcom!

Narrator did a wonderful job as well. I really liked their voice and thought they did a great job bringing the story to life.

If you need a summer romcom, I would 100% recommend this!

From the moment this was announced, I knew it was going to be a banger, and let me tell you, this book is a BANGER!!! Small-town summer romance, marriage of convenience, a twist on brother’s best friend, and some of the BEST hate-to-love I’ve read in a long time!

I loved Holland and Phoenix from the very beginning! I was immediately drawn in by their antagonistic and barbed but also witty and charged with chemistry and tension. The dynamic between them was AMAZING and I could not get enough of their banter, I thought that the way their hate-to-love arc was handled was so unique and compelling as their dislike that was rooted in a shared past and deep connection and intimate knowledge of each other. It made their acceptance of genuine feelings believable and genuine.

The town of Sunset Harbor was a fantastic setting for this sun-soaked summer romance! Gracie's voice and specific brand of characterization are masterful and I never wanted this book to end! The audiobook and the narrator's performances also enhanced my overall experience. Beauty and the Beach is a favorite of the year, for sure and I highly recommend it!

Thanks to Netgalley and Podium Audio for the ALC of this awesome book!

Desperate for money after a financial scam, Holland makes a deal with the infuriatingly wealthy and handsome Phoenix: She’ll marry him for the summer so he can inherit his family’s company. Their fake marriage is supposed to be temporary, but as their charade unfolds, Holland finds herself falling for the man she swore she hated.

Hilarious and heartwarming, this rom com is a delight to read. The banter is brilliant. Holland and Phoenix are lovable and perfect for each other. The story is strong and fast-paced. I enjoyed the audiobook narration.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

the books is great! i love Gracie Ruth Mitchell books! the audiobook wasn't really my thing...but that's just me, I"m picky about my audiobooks haha
worth the read...or listen! :D

Loved this book!
I listened to it on audio and the narrators were great- I do listen to it sped up. I loved that they had both a male and female narrating.
The story was so much fun! I absolutely loved Holland she was just adorable. Phoenix was dreamy. They were both so perfect for each other.
I thought this book was well written- there was so much romance and humor, but it also dealt with some serious things (past trauma). It had a bit of everything in it.
I have read a few of the books in this series and they were all really good, but this can be read as a stand alone.

Beauty and the Beach by Gracie Ruth Mitchell is a marriage of convenience with a summer atmosphere.

The story follows Phoenix and Holland, who are always pranking each other and acting like enemies. Phoenix was friends with Holland's older brother who has passed away. Phoenix promised Holland’s brother he would look out for her. Holland and Phoenix have a history of chemistry and tension that has turned into an interesting relationship.

Phoenix needs a wife to inherit his family’s company, and Holland is his best option. Even though their marriage is fake and temporary the feelings they have for each other are not.

If you are in the mood for a summer rom-com filled with sparks, banter, and family drama this book is for you! This was an excellent audiobook with dual narration.

Thank you to Netgalley, Dreamscape Media, and Gracie Ruth Mitchell for my gifted ALC in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a cute book!

Beauty and the Beach is a super sweet romance with lots of heart. I adored Phoenix and Holland together. They are constantly driving each other crazy with pranks, but I love their playfulness and nicknames for eachother.

I actually liked the narrators (I did speed it up a bit). I know some people complained about the male being monotoned a bit, but sped up you couldn't really tell and Holland did complain about Phoenix talking without emotion at times, so it kind of added to the story a bit.

Read if you like:
Closed door romance
Brother's best friend
Enemies to lovers
Marriage of convenience

Thank you to the author, Dreamscape Media and Netgalley for this free audio arc in exchange for my honest review.

A lovely closed door ramoance of 2 long time friends brought together by a marriage of convinience.

Holland and Phoenix have been ea others sphere for a while brought together by the tragedy and death of Hollands brother Travis.

Holland a little spontaneous, broke (scammed), loves her sister and grandmother, hates Phoenix (plays juvenile tricks on him and calls him bird names) and guilty about her brothers death.

Phoenix, rich, smart, and promised Travis that he will always take care of Holland and does so.

Phoenixs manipulative and dreadful grandmother has changed her will to stipulate that only her married grandchild will inherit the family business. So a marriage of convinience is born, except when Phoenix and Holland are married and living together, their animosity and hostile banter changes into caring and affection. Can their fake marriage actually become real. As they navigate through their feelings, they fall deeply in love.

A nice, romantic beach read.

🩵𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫’𝐬 𝐁𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝
💍𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞
🩵𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐝𝐨𝐨𝐫 𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞

🎧Dual narration:
Rylee Kuberra & John Rogers

♥︎Holland and Phoenix Park have a knack for driving each other absolutely mad. In the past, a devastating accident tied their lives together. Now, their marriage of convenience is about to change everything they know about each other.

♥︎This story was fun. It did take some time to get used to the narrators, who delivered their lines with a touch of monotony and lacked variation in their inflections. However, despite this small drawback, I found myself genuinely enjoying the story. It was charming and handled a significant event with great care.

♥︎Overall, if you're a fan of closed-door romance set in small towns, you're sure to enjoy this one.

𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 𝟑.𝟓⭐️
𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐝𝐨𝐨𝐫

Beauty and the Beach is part of the Falling for Summer romance series. Holland is in desperate need of cash after having her checking account wiped out and she’s doing everything she can to make the ends meet, but when an opportunity presents itself that will solve her financial problems she’s not sure she can take it. Phoenix, Holland’s older brother’s best friend, finds himself needing to get married in order to inherit the family company from his grandma and he propositions Holland. The pair barely get along, but they both trust each other enough to take this leap of faith. The deal is simple, Phoenix and Holland get married and start married until Phoenix inherits the company and Holland gets the money she so desperately needs in exchange. Maybe it isn’t that simple after all, especially after the feelings of hate turn out to be closer to love. Will Phoenix and Holland find what they are looking for or crash and burn?

I haven’t read any of the other books in this series, but this can definitely be read as a standalone. I am a fan of brother’s best friend romances, enemies to lovers and fake marriage tropes so this book hit a lot of my favorite tropes in one. I was hooked from the beginning and fell in love with Holland and Phoenix very quickly. The banter, snark and chemistry between these two was perfect and added so much to their relationship. It kept me coming back for more. I loved this couple together and thought the baggage they both came with was a great addition to their relationship because they helped each other deal with it. This was a great summer read and I definitely recommend it. I will definitely have to go back and read more in this series because I loved this small town/island setting!

Marriage of convenience! This book was great, totally recommend this book!

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC