Great storyline, where the author immediately grabs you in, and you need to know how it ends. Felt very character driven, with the complexities of all the characters being the main focus of the storyline. The ending was suspected, but also felt very rushed. All in all, a great beach read, that leaves you with a good story to recommend to others.

The title is a little bit deceitful with this book. It is not a relaxing beach read in any way. Beth is divorced but when she sees her ex-husband proposing on a billboard, she rethinks her own life and her relationships with friends and family. It is a very deep book that juggles a lot of challenging topics and questions about life and family. I thought it was thought-provoking and I enjoyed it.

Exactly what you expect from a Susan Mallery novel. Formulaic romance. Girl meets boy, or in this case 2 girlfriends date each other's brothers, conflict ensues, estrangement, happy ending. All set among the backdrop of a California sandwich shop. No surprises here, just relax and enjoy the waves.

𝐁𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐕𝐢𝐛𝐞𝐬 𝐛𝐲 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐚𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐲
𝗠𝗬 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ★★★★

The Southern California coast setting of this story was perfection! I loved all the talk of the beach, the location of the sandwich shop and the beach vibes that were mixed through the story. I did think this story was going to have a lot more to do with the beach itself, maybe even characters that were surfers, but I was kind of bummed it didn’t have a bigger place in the character’s daily lives.

I did enjoy the family dynamics of the story, the fact that there was relatable issues in each family and I loved the unconventional way Jana and Teddy came together to help each other out in their times of need. I was not at all a fan of Beth’s brother Rick. I understand there are usually villains in stories, but it seemed too deep and a bit unnecessary for this story. I also feel like things dragged on a bit too much and this could have been a lot shorter of a book.

In the end, this was a great read and I loved that this story gave you a mix of everything from romantic relationships, to family issues, battles with grief, strong character growth, so many different healing journeys, resilient characters and more.

Beach Vibes
Susan Mallery
March 18, 2025

In Malibu at her Surf Sandwich shop we find Beth Nield. She is overrun with customers when the surf rolls in and locals enjoy watching. Also during lunch or weekend customers who enjoy sitting in or out munching on one of the delectable sandwiches that Beth has created. Her time off is spent at the beach or at the free market volunteering. They are always in need of stocker or people to check out. There she befriends Jana. She spends a shift each week helping out at the market. She and Beth have met, worked together and now have a late dinner out back at the picnic table overlooking the ocean.
Beth has been divorced for a year and Jana is working medical insurance to pay for community college. She wants to get into the nursing program. Their friendship becomes a weekly dinner together to relax and chat. Beth brings sandwiches from the shop. They have become best friends.
Beach Vibes will be published by Harlequin Digital Sales on March 18, 2025. I was able to read Mallery´s latest novel via NetGalley. Mallery writes a delightful tale of friendship, love, and disloyalty. I was hooked from the start. When the betrayal happened I felt sad and truly hoped the characters could overcome it. It is a book readers will want to devour. It is a special story that I am certain will be loved by many. Do Enjoy!

I always race to my library to be first on the list to read anything by Susan Mallery. I was so excited when I was approved to read an advanced copy of Beach Vibes. A quick read, having read it in only two days, this romance not only has heart, but also lots of different families represented. Our main character Beth is coming off of her first year of a divorce. She puts all her heart and soul into her business as well as taking care of her brother. When Beth starts branching out and taking care of herself, she meets a new friend Jana and even gets a boyfriend Teddy, who is Jana's brother. But when Beth's brother turns out not to be the good guy she always thought he was, will Rick ruin the new relationships that Bath has created? Another great realistic fiction love story by Susan Mallery.

Beach Vibes by Susan Mallery ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Beth and Rick grew up in the foster care system. After being neglected by their mother. Beth becomes very protective.
Beth owns a sandwich shop on the beach as well as volunteering at the food pantry. At the food pantry she befriends Jana, a single mom of 3. Suddenly Jana shows interest in Rick, who is a widow with 3 kids.

Can Beth let go of Rick's tight hold she has on him to pursue a relationship with Jana? Will Jana walk away with a broken heart? Family, friendship or Love, you choose what's important


Thank you NetGalley for this advance copy.

I am new to this author, but I know she is popular very excited that I got to read this book. I really enjoyed the storyline and the characters. I will definitely want to pick up more books by her.

I just finished Beach Vibes, and I like Susan Mallery, she's one of my favorite authors. I read this in one sitting butbim.not sure how how I feel about this book, I like it was it one of my favorites, no was it a bad book, no,, but I feel it was lacking somewhere. Sorry but I felt let down on this one, I guess they can't all be a four or five star book. I was disappointed.

A wonderful family drama novel with romance. Susan Mallery just doesn't disappoint at all.

I loved it all.

A rom com with some delightful unexpected twists! Just when you think it will be a predictable happy ending, the author slides a welcome plot twist. Susan Mallery doesn’t disappoint with her latest book. A picturesque location, some yummy foodie ideas and memorable characters.

Thank you to Susan Mallery, Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC opportunity!

Family loyalty vs friendship loyalty is a tough wheel to spin
Beth, A successful beach sandwich shop owner has never had really close girlfriends.
So when she connects with Jana, a woman who volunteers at a food pantry that she donated time and goid yo, life is good.
Until its not
Unbeknownst to each of them, Jana is dating Beth's younger brother and Beth is dating Jana's older brother.
Family secrets, loyalty and trust in friendship all rear their heads in this not so light read.
Characters were, at times, a little too wishy washy for me and the story dragged a little .
I actually think each of their stories, on their own, would have made an excellent light summer read.
Together, they were just too,...........

“So much was lost because of a single decision.”
A wonderfully written complex family drama. Beth lost herself when she got divorce; no friends, no activities, no dating. She meets Jana and a friendship is formed. Unbeknownst to either of them, Jana is dating Beth’s brother and that’s when the drama unfolds. Beth is way too protective of her brother and too involved in his life. Then Beth starts dating Jana’s brother. She makes mistakes with her friendship and relationship. She soon has a dilemma of protecting her brother or saving her friendship and relationship. A very tough choice and a great “what would you do?” question for readers to ponder; great for blook club discussions. Wonderfully written, loved the characters, and how the how issue worked out and was handled. Recommend!

Beth has been focused on others for many years. She has made choices not for her own benefit but for the benefit of her family. When events surrounding her brother, best friend, and a chance at love come to light, she'll have to be prepared to make choices for herself. All too often we let others influence our path, in order to fully live, Beth will have to trust her own judgment and abilities. Filled with great friendships, a little family drama, and a whole lot of love, Beach Vibes is the perfect start to your summer reading.

Thank you to the publisher & Author for the ARC. Another great by Susan Mallery. I’ve read so many by Susan Mallery & this one made me want throw my kindle so many times, scream and cry. I found Rick repulsive, loved Jana, Beth, teddy and Dex. All of the kids were amazing

Another winner for Susan Mallery. A lighthearted and fun book with several unexpected twists. We’ll-written and made me think about what I would have done.

Beach Vibes by Susan Mallery is a heartwarming yet emotionally complex tale set against the sun-soaked backdrop of Malibu. The story follows Beth, who has always been proud of her close-knit family and thriving beachside sandwich shop, Surf Sandwiches. Her life is upended when she discovers that her beloved brother Rick, a promising doctor, is cheating on her best friend Jana—the woman he's been dating for months.

Beth is torn between loyalty to her brother and the guilt of betraying her best friend. To make matters more complicated, Jana's handsome brother enters the picture, sparking a romance that promises to be everything Beth has been hoping for. But Beth's internal struggle over whether to reveal Rick's betrayal threatens to shatter not only her relationship with her brother but also her new romance and her best friendship.

Mallery weaves a beautiful blend of romance, family drama, and self-discovery, making Beach Vibes a perfect summer read. With its relatable characters and dilemmas, this book explores loyalty, love, and the difficult decisions that shape our lives. Fans of heartfelt stories about personal growth and complex relationships will thoroughly enjoy this one.

What do you do when your life is finally falling into place, happiness and fulfillment are in sight, and you accidentally learn something that would ruin it all? What do you do? Where do your loyalties belong, with friends and lovers or family? Poor Beth finds herself between a rock and a hard spot and knows it will probably blow up in her face no matter what. Susan Mallery has presented us with quite a conundrum in Beach Vibes.

A sweet romance with some conflict thrown in! When two friends begin dating new men, things look perfect. But then a secret is revealed and things get all messed up, causing the couples to break up. Will anyone end up with the love of his or her life?

Thank you Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for an e-arc in exchange for a honest review. What would you do if you learned something that your best friend needed to know? That particular line right there is exactly why I needed this book to find out what happens between Beth and her brother. There is family, trust, second chances, but there are times where you will question your brothers intentions. Beach Vibes is perfect for this summer with part mystery, part family. I can't wait for everyone to get their hands on this.