This was an excellent book as all of hers are and I loved the characters. Beth and Jana meet and become friends. As time goes on, each of them falls in love - unknowingly with each other's brother. At the food pantry, Beth meets single mom, Jana. Not only is she raising her daughter, but they moved in with her brother, Teddy, after his wife passed away suddenly, leaving him with 3 small kids. Jana is working part-time while putting herself through school and waiting to hear if she got into nursing school. Over shared sandwiches after their volunteer shifts. At the same time, Jana meets Rick in line to get coffee, which he buys for her once she realizes she doesn’t have her wallet. He has an office in the same building as her part-time job. Over time he wears her down to go out with him. Jana is immediately smitten with Rick and they start spending time together. Beth and Jana became friends. This was good read with some in-depth character development. There was love, friendship and so much more.

Any reader of a Susan Mallery book knows what to expect -- an enjoyable story line, with likeable, relatable characters and maybe a plot twist along the way. And Beach Vibes fits the bill. More than mere chick lit, this novel tells the story about two best friends, each of whom is dating the other's brother. It deals with topics like loyalty, honesty and integrity -- and where defense of a family member conflicts with the right thing to do. A quick read, perfect for summer!

This was a cute light summer read. I found a lot of the text to be repetitive. I did love the women supporting other women part of the story.

There are really to hs in this story. One is a single mom who lives with her brother. The other is a divorcee who owns a sandwich shop in Malibu. They become friends working a food kitchen One of the women is working at a hospital while preparing to go to nursing school. . She meets the other woman's brother, who is a doctor. He and his sister were first in foster care and then went to live with their aunt and uncle. He was always pampered and give his way.. Turns out he isn't a nice guy, and is dating someone at the same time he is dating our h. The other h is dating the other h's brother.. I was disappointed int his book. I usually enjoy her books, but not this one.

I received an ARC from Net Galley

DNF at 50%. This did not feel like a beach book at all. It’s romance and disjointed and uninteresting at best. Thank you NetGalley for the advanced audio. Thank you, Net Galley for the advance copy.

An absolutely fantastic summer beach read even it if came out in Spring.  Families can anchor a person while at the same time uproot everything you've ever believed and spit you out.  
Beth runs a successful sandwich shop in Malibu and has just started going out to do something for herself when she meets Jana.  Jana, a single mother lives with her brother, can't stop raving about her boyfriend whom she is deeply in love with.  Wanting to spread her happiness, she introduces Beth to her brother Teddy. Turns out Jana's boyfriend is no other than Beth's brother Rick, a successful surgeon whom Beth has brought up. 
Happy Families? Perhaps especially after Beth gets over her knee jerk reaction that Rick falls for unsuitable types who take advantage of him. Then horror! Beth finds out that Rick is cheating on Jana. With her new romance with Jana's brother just getting off the ground what should she do? Clearly, she decides to make the wrong decision and decides to keep Rick's secret on the down low, convinced that Rick will drop the other girlfriend. 
Truth as we know always wins out and it is not pretty. Poor Beth is now on the outs with Teddy and Jana and Rick as well.  As it turns out Rick is not who Beth believes him to be despite having raised him. Can she wade through this mess her life has become and find her happily ever after? 
Sometimes, these women's fiction can become slow and draggy, but this one just kept me in the moment, and I truly enjoyed how it all came about.

I am never disappointed in a Susan Mallery book, and this was no exception. The beach setting is always one of my favorites, I loved everything about that.

The story itself got a bit of a slow start for me, but quickly formed on the theme of friendship, between Beth and Jana. The friendships in these books are always a highlight for me. I was very sad when I found out what happened with Rick, but the idea that we find family has always resonated with me.

Anyone who enjoys Mallery's books will enjoy this one.

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.