I found this to be a lovely tale of female empowerment and what is a family. I was a bit hesitant about the story when it started, a house of women and their kids could go cultish or weird very fast, but this did not happen here. There was cuteness and happy feels all around, and a true representation of it really takes a village to raise kids and deal with life. The investigative angle was a bit far fetched and not my favorite part of the book, the highlight is definitely the relationships amongst the house members and not the mystery on the side.

Beach House Rules
By: Kristy Woodson Harvey
Gallery Books
Pub date: May 27, 2025
General Fiction (Adult) / Women's Fiction

Thank you to Kristy Woodson Harvey and Uplit Reads for providing me an advance copy of this book. KWH is the beloved author of so many heartwarming books with coastal settings and memorable characters. In her newest one, she presents the character Charlotte Sitterly, who finds herself staying with her daughter at a beachfront home on the coast of North Carolina. There, she becomes part of a community of single mothers. Amidst mystery and gossip, themes of found family and friendship emerge.

I have no doubt that KWH fans, both old and new, will have this in their summer to-go bags or beside their favorite reading spot in their homes for staycations. I am so glad that I discovered this author through the Friends and Fiction Facebook group.

I received a complimentary advance reader's copy from Kristy Woodson Harvey through Uplit Reads, Gallery Books and  NetGalley. My review is my own.

#BeachHouseRules #KristyWoodsonHarvey #GalleryBooks #friendsandfiction

Beach House Rules by Kristy Woodson Harvey is a good read.

Beach House Rules opens with the reader meeting Charlotte and Iris. Charlotte’s husband has been arrested for some monetary issue. She and her daughter Iris are locked out of their house and bank. Charlotte decided to accept housing from an acquaintance at her beach house with other mothers and children who were displaced. Alice owns and runs the house. Her goal is to help them have a family during the hard times. There were rules to follow, not onerous, and people to share and laugh with.

Meanwhile, Charlotte needs a job and she needs to find a way to get people to understand her husband is innocent. The women hatch a plan and everyone is determined to help Charlotte and Iris. Meanwhile, Iris is fighting her own battle with figuring out High School, her life and what is happening in her world. Luckily she has good friends.

One of the obstacles is the @JuniperShoresSocialite instagram account. They seem to be focused on the gossip in the town and sharing it in the most negative of ways. Another obstacle is to prove innocence when it feels like all the cards are against them. Never mind the man in the closet when Iris went to get her shoes and the fact she believes her father is innocent.

I enjoyed the Beach House Rules with all the twists and turns. I like how it was told in various viewpoints of Charlotte, Iris and Alice. I enjoyed the camaraderie of the Beach House with all the characters. The novel reads well with parts of the story unfolding in differing views. Beach House Rules by Kristy Woodson Harvey is a good read.

The Queen of Summer Reads is back with another feel-good story of friendship, romance, and beach days with Beach House Rules.

Charlotte's husband is arrested, leaving Char and their daughter Iris locked out of their house with their assets frozen. When she runs into the town's "Black Widow" Alice (rumored to have killed three husbands), Alice offers the women a place to stay at her mommune - her house on the beach where two other moms and their children currently reside. The mommune comes with rules and plenty of town gossip, but it is the best option Charlotte currently has.

Kristy leans heavily into the idea of community in this book, something I think many people wish they had more of. At the Mommune, chores are split, one mom who loves cooking handles all meals and lunch packing, and there is nightly family time on the beach. The families bond without the distraction of cell phones, and everything feels idyllic. Anyone ready to start a Mommune with me??

There is a bit of romance involved as well, following teen crushes and Alice facing whether or not she can find another love after what happened to her prior husbands. To me, the friendships were the true heart of the story.

The story is told via multiple POVs, and the format works beautifully to keep the story moving along. We dip into the world of high schoolers with Iris, learn more about Alice's past, and fight for her husband to found innocent right alongside Charlotte. Their stories tie together perfectly in the end as the grand reveal of what really happened comes out.

Thank you to Gallery for the ARC. All opinions are my own

Thank you UpLit Reads, Gallery Books, and Kristy Woodson Harvey for my #gifted copy and thank you Simon Audio for my #gifted listening copy of Beach House Rules! #beachhouserules #junipershores #uplitreads #giftedbyuplit

𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: 𝐁𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐑𝐮𝐥𝐞𝐬
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: 𝐊𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐲 𝐖𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐲
𝐍𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬: 𝐂𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐫𝐚 𝐂𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐥, 𝐌𝐢𝐚 𝐇𝐮𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐧-𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐰, 𝐒𝐮𝐞𝐡𝐲𝐥𝐚 𝐄𝐥-𝐀𝐭𝐭𝐚𝐫-𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟕, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 - 𝐎𝐮𝐭 𝐍𝐨𝐰!

𝟱★

Grab your beach/pool bag and this book and get ready for the perfect summer read! When I think of Kristy Woodson Harvey, I think of the start of summer, and she has done to again with this book! My only regret this time was not being able to read it on my beach vacation this year! If you have not yet read a KWH book yet, please pick this one up! KWH is the queen of summer reads and if you love Elin Hilderbrand books, you will love this one!

After Charlotte’s husband is arrested for a white-collar crime, she and her daughter Iris are locked out of their house by the FBI, with all of their assets frozen, and the two have nowhere to go. As if things couldn’t get worse, it’s the talk of the town on the town’s anonymous Instagram account @JuniperShoresSocialite. Desperate for help, a woman from town offers to let Charlotte stay at her beachfront home. To her surprise, she’s not the only single mother staying there. Charlotte and Iris soon learn to love the mommune community, but it doesn’t take long for secrets to come to the surface that could change everything.

⛱️Found Family
⛱️Lots of Gossip
⛱️Women’s Fiction
⛱️Beach Setting
⛱️Friendship
⛱️Mystery
⛱️Coming of Age
⛱️So Much Charm
⛱️The Perfect Summer Read

🎧The audiobook is narrated by three amazing narrators who did such an amazing job bringing this story to life. I would highly recommend this one on audio if you are looking for a beautiful audiobook performance by Cassandra Campbell, Mia Hutchinson-Shaw, and Suehyla El-Attar-Young! 5★ performance!

Posted on Goodreads on May 27, 2025: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/144922955?ref=nav_profile_l
**Posted on Instagram - Full Review- on or around May 27, 2025: http://www.instagram.com/nobookmark_noproblem
**Posted on Amazon on May 27, 2025
**-will post on designated date

I'll start by saying that "I loved A Happier Life". It was a fantastic book. "Beach House Rules" not so much. The book is about three main characters and their experiences, I can't say it was an interesting read; it wasn't - to me anyway. I'm not much of a Chick-Lit reader and this one got lost, and frankly put me to sleep, with its' self-involved narrators. The only thing that kept me going was the mystery element. The interpersonal relationships and angst - not my thing. I did enjoy the Lady Whistledown inspired Instagram posts - they were wonderful and who the author is was part of what kept me reading.

Charlotte Sitterly, a 38-year-old wife and mother is a former investment banker whose husband has been arrested for a financial crime. Her whole world has imploded. She had limited funds, is locked out of her home and her car was impounded. During a meltdown in the bank, she is approached by Alice with the offer of a place to live. Charlotte is desperate and she and her 14-year-old daughter Iris, accept the invitation and become part of the mommune which also includes two other women and their kids with 45-year-old widow, Alice, as the glue holding them all together. This place is not without its' detractors in the small beachside community of Juniper Shores, NC. But down on her luck Charlotte just needs a place to regroup.

Alice Bailey is a three-time widow. Each of her husbands died in a tragic accident, but that didn't stop the town from labeling her a "Black Widow". She owns a former Bed and Breakfast that is home to her niece, Julie, and her three adorable young girls. Also residing in the house is Grace and her two older children, one of whom, 16-year-old Merit, is the high school heartthrob and star quarterback. Alice has a lot of latent guilt over the deaths of her husbands and feels deep down she may have been the cause of their deaths. She chased away a wonderful guy and has been doing her own form of penitence.

Fourteen-year-old Iris Sitterly is having a really tough time coming to terms with her changed circumstances, from adored only child to having her dad in jail, no money or access to her home. Living at the mommune is just the cherry on top of this awful cake. The only thing that is making it bearable is being close to Merit. As Iris opens her heart to the women and kids living at the mommune, she finds that being part of this family is a special experience.

Life at the mommune can't always be this way. Circumstances change for everyone, but for this brief period in time, it's magic. 3 1/2-Stars

I wish I could have read this one on the beach with my toes in the sand!! A fun, found family story which includes gossipy socialites, hidden secrets, lies, crime, with a little bit of romance all rolled up into one to start the summer off with a bang. This is the perfect summer read for one hand and would pair nicely with a nice fruity drink in the other or even a nice summer bookclub book.

Thank you Netgalley and Gallery for this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

“Beach House Rules” was such a fun summer read! This genre-bending novel is the perfect beach read for fans of women’s fiction, mysteries, found family, and coming-of-age novels. I really enjoyed the multiple POVs, which were each read by a different narrator. The setting was so fun, and I loved all the small town drama. I also really liked that this book focused on female friendship and mother-daughter relationships. Overall, a great summer read. This was my first KWH book, and I will definitely be reading more.

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you @uplitreads @gallerybooks @kristywharvey for my #gifted copy. Not only does this cover scream summer beach read, but the story is SO good! Think Gossip Girl meets Lady Whistledown in coastal North Carolina. The drama, the gossip and the mystery will have you turning pages so fast! I finished this book in a day!

Beach House Rules follows Charlotte and her daughter Iris as they find out Charlotte’s husband was arrested for fraud + is in jail. With no place to go, Charlotte says yes to a random invitation to stay at a beach house where 3 other women and their children also live. Dubbed the “mommune”, these women welcome Charlotte + Iris into their house + life.
But will a deep secret change the mommune and their friendships forever? And what will happen if Charlotte is able to prove her husband is innocent?

I have come to look forward to Kristy’s new books each year. She has quickly become one of my favorite women’s fiction authors. Her books always feature strong female friendships, family ties, a little mystery, a little romance, all while taking place in beautiful southern towns.

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I found myself wishing Juniper Shores were a real place—it sounds like the perfect seaside escape. A cozy B&B by the ocean would be my ideal vacation spot. Although, I’ll admit, the town’s lively (and nosy) Instagram gossip account—while a clever and entertaining narrative touch—might be a bit too much for me in real life! That said, the setting is beautifully described, the writing is sharp and well-paced, and the story was so enjoyable that I’m sincerely hoping Kristy Woodson Harvey turns this into a series featuring more of the island’s charming residents.

The heart of the story centers on Charlotte, whose life is turned upside down when her husband is arrested for alleged fraud—one of his victims being the local country club, which doesn’t exactly earn her much sympathy from the townspeople. With her 14-year-old daughter Iris in tow, Charlotte is forced to leave her home and finds herself unable to return to the finance world after a 14-year hiatus and the shadow of her husband’s scandal.

Enter the “mommune”: an unconventional but incredibly endearing trio of women who take Charlotte in. There's Alice, a widow with a stunning beach house and a reputation muddied by rumors (three dead husbands will do that); Julie, Alice’s sharp-tongued journalist niece and single mom who hasn’t exactly painted Charlotte in the best light in her writing; and Grace, the domestic goddess and divorced mom who’s something of a social media darling.

The novel alternates perspectives between Charlotte, her daughter Iris (as she navigates high school and adolescence), and Alice, who’s on a quiet mission to restore her own reputation. Together, the women (and their children) form a found family of sorts, even teaming up to help prove Charlotte’s husband’s innocence. While parts of the plot stretch believability, the relationships and character growth are so compelling that it’s easy to suspend disbelief.

Ultimately, Beach House Rules is more than just a feel-good beach read. It’s about resilience, reinvention, and the power of community. Each woman finds her own strength, and Iris’s coming-of-age journey is heartfelt and real. By the end, I wasn’t just ready to visit Juniper Shores—I was wondering if I might stay a little longer.

Definitely all the vibes for a beach read! Taking place in a small coastal North Carolina town. The novel centers around Charlotte and her daughter Iris. Their perfect lives are overturned when Charlotte’s husband, Bill, is arrested for financial fraud. With a full investigation taking place and Bill behind bars , their assets are frozen and their home is locked. To add to the unfortunate circumstances, they find themselves being reviewed by a local anonymous Instagram account, @JuniperShoresSocialite .
With nowhere else to turn, Charlotte and Iris are invited to stay at a beachfront former bed-and-breakfast, now home to a community of single mothers. Which happens to be in their neighborhood. This “mommune” offers them a sense of belonging, despite their challenging circumstances.
As much as I enjoyed this book I could not give it a five star rating because the side characters have so much happening that it was a bit confusing.
However, Harvey masterly tied it all together.
Huge thank you to NetGalley and Gallery books for the digital ARC in exchange for my review.

Charlotte’s life takes a complete turn when he husband is arrested and her bank accounts are frozen. She has no where to turn for safety for herself and her teenage daughter. A meltdown at the bank introduces a mysterious character, Alice, who has the answer to Charlotte’s problems. She offers a place to live and a support system at the “mommune” as her large house is called. A safe haven for women and their children in times of trouble. But can Charlotte trust Alice and these women? Are the rumors true that Alice killed her husbands? How does she prove that her own husband could never commit fraud? Kristy Woodson Harvey delights us with a story about strength, friendship & the power of women. I couldn’t put this book down!

Four women brought together by unfortunate circumstances. They find that together they are stronger than they thought but sometimes having a village makes the going easier.

I’ve been a fan of this author for a while. Her love for the South comes shining thru in all her books. This is another fun read centering around women empowering women, the importance of friendship and digging deep when you have no other choice. It’s full of southern charm and hospitality. Yes, while some situations are slightly far fetched others may hit close to home. This book is full of secrets, mystery and love. Likable characters that you can’t help rooting for. So, grab your swimsuit and beach towel and take a trip to Juniper Shores, NC.

Thanks to Gallery Books and NetGalley for this ARC. This is my honest opinion.

⛱️ Is Carolina the new Nantucket? Kristy Woodson Harvey’s consistently excellent southern beach reads are certainly filling a hole left behind by Elin Hilderbrand’s retirement from beach novels. Her newest is out today! Thank you to @uplitreads for my early copy.

⛱️ This book has the coastal feel, and the high drama necessary for a great beach read. It’s chock-full of great characters who grow and learn, and get into a little mischief along the way.

⛱️ Oh, and can we get a moment for this spine? 😍

⛱️ This is my third book by this author and she will continue to be a summer staple for me as long as she wants to keep writing these beach-bag-worthy gems!

When Charlotte Sitterly’s husband is arrested for a white-collar crime, she and her daughter Iris are locked out of their house by the FBI and—what’s potentially even worse—thrust into the spotlight of @JuniperShoresSocialite, the town’s snarky anonymous Instagram account. Cut off from her bank accounts and feeling desperate, Charlotte takes up an acquaintance’s offer to stay at a beachfront former bed-and-breakfast that’s home to a community of single mothers and draws plenty of gossip in the small coastal North Carolina town.

Charlotte and Iris are in a mess. Their family funds are blocked and Charlotte has not worked in years. Luckily, Alice Bailey steps up and takes these two into her home…or mommune as she likes to call it. Little do these two know, the friends in this home will be their saving grace.

I loved Charlotte’s strength. She struggles for sure but she is not down for the count. And Iris! She is not weakling either. She is determined to find out what happened that caused her dad to get arrested. And this leads to some unique situations!

Now, this does read a bit like a coming of age story. It focuses on Iris and her friends more than I expected. This is minor…just something that I noticed.

Need a beach read that takes you on quest for the truth…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel for a honest review.

I just love reading a new Kristy Woodson Harvey story.
She never seems disappoint!
Beach House Rules was absolutely impossible to put down! The characters were so well-crafted and relatable, each with their own unique depth and charm. The story kept me hooked from the first page to the last.
I can always rely on Kristy Woodson Harvey to deliver a heartfelt, feel-good read with a dash of Southern charm, but Beach House Rules exceeded my expectations in every way.
I loved every moment of it and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a captivating read

4.25 rounded down. This was not at all what I was expecting, it was better! This has some mystery, drama, romance, it really has multiple genres all mixed into one! The characters are likable, and the book flowed really well. The ending was NOT at all what I was expecting!!

I did not coin this but I concur that KWH is the new queen of the beach read! I really enjoyed this book and honestly want to join a mommune of my own! I loved the mystery element and the different perspectives. The writing felt familiar and the story felt unique, not much more I could ask for.

The Southern Queen of Beach reads and NYT Bestselling Author (long-time favorite), Kristy Woodson Harvey, returns following A Happier Life with her latest—a simply irresistible, charming, unputdownable, and the season's hottest beach read—BEACH HOUSE RULES.

Top beach read of 2025!

When a husband is arrested for a white-collar crime, the wife and daughter are locked out of their home by the FBI. They find solace and much more at a local B&B for single moms in this coastal North Carolina town with plenty of gossip, fun, scandal, and commentary from Juniper Shores Socialite: @junipershoressocialite (check it out on IG).

About...

IG @junipershoressociate Juniper Shores, NC. Sharing bad behavior and delicious drama in North Carolina's most exclusive zip code. DM with tips, pics, and juicy deets.

Alice Bailey runs a local former B&B on the beach; however, she has turned her home into a 'Mommune' for single moms to help them get back on their feet. This unique concept is a shared living space where single mothers can support each other, share responsibilities, and rebuild their lives. It started when she took in her niece, Julia (journalist), and three children after a messy divorce.

Grace (Growing with Grace) is a cool it mom (with millions of followers on IG) with a heartthrob teen son and daughter who also reside there. When Alice sees Charlotte at the Suncoast Bank and overhears the conversation about her financial situation, she invites Charlotte and her teen daughter, Iris, to move in.

Charlotte Sitterly is accustomed to the finer things of life, but now her husband, Bill, is in the middle of an FBI investigation for a white-collar crime. She must move out of the house with her teen daughter, Iris. She does not know whether to support her husband or not. Some think she knew about the fraud. She didn't.

They are lucky to be taken in by this diverse group of ladies who share housework, childcare, cooking, homework, and chores. Alice has specific beach house rules— they must turn off their phones during dinner and stay off the remainder of the evening. (great rule). They also have family beach time.

At first, things are awkward, and Iris is not happy about the rules, but when she discovers Grace's hot teen son, who lives there as well, she is excited.

Between the ongoing juicy gossip and scandal from Juniper Shores, with their wild conspiracy theories about Alice murdering her three husbands (and who is next), Charlotte's struggle to find a job while her husband is in jail, all while trying to prove his innocence, there's never a dull moment. Add in the fun and drama with the teens, mystery, romance, and you've got a story that's as entertaining as it is enlightening.

Let the games begin! Who will solve the mystery of the white-crime?

My thoughts...

In Kristy's classic signature style, she has brilliantly crafted another bestseller, which I adored! BEACH HOUSE RULES would make a great TV series (think Grosse Pointe Garden Society, which I love).

BEACH HOUSE RULES is a delightful summer read that resonates with its fresh, timely, and clever narrative. I enjoyed the POVs from Alice, Iris, and Charlotte. (Great job with the teen's POV as well as the adults).

Filled with humor, mystery, and plenty of Southern sass, it's a must-read for anyone who appreciates the complexities of family, the power of female friendships, and the resilience of the human spirit. Don't head to the beach without this gem in your bag!

BEACH HOUSE RULES introduces a fabulous cast of characters, both teens, moms, and friends. As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that family is not always blood-related, and sometimes the best family is the one we create for ourselves.

As I have said from Kristy's debut and every book since (I have read them all), Kristy is a superstar. She writes from the heart of real Southern women and their challenges, and her love of her coastal town and family shines through every page. So happy to be a part of her journey from afar. As I said from the beginning, she is a mix of Dorthea Benton Frank, Mary Kay Andrews, and Emily Giffin with her own winning signature style.

Get this treasure on your summer list!

On a personal note: I resonated with this story so much. I had to laugh as I once lived temporarily (many years ago) for a few months in the historic Beverly Hills Inn B&B (prime location) in Buckhead (Atlanta), GA, when I moved back to the area as Associate Publisher for Atlanta Business Magazine. My condo off Peachtree in Midtown, a few miles away, was not ready yet, so I lived in the inn for several months. It was so much fun, and the owner and his girlfriend gave me the complete history, plus fun brunches at the Ritz-Carlton.

History: The Beverly Hills Inn began as a historic apartment building for widowed women in 1929. It later transitioned into an 18-room bed and breakfast in 1982, and now functions as private townhomes and gardens. The building is known for its alleged haunting, with reports of ghostly apparitions, orbs, and whispers attributed to the former residents. Specifically, three widowed women are said to linger around the third floor. (I got to tour this one)! Reading this story reminded me of those times and the special people I met there.

Audiobook...

I can't wait to listen to the audiobook narrated by Cassandra Campbell (fav), Mia Hutchinson-Shaw, Suehyla El-Attar Young.

Recs...

This stunning beach read (cover crush) is for fans of the author and those who enjoy works by Mary Kay Andrews, Elin Hilderbrand, Emily Giffin, Viola Shipman, and Rochelle B. Weinstein's We Are Made of Stars. (featuring another inn in the Mountains of NC and spunky teen daughter).

Special thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for paperback and digital ARC copies in exchange for an honest review. Thanks, Kristy, for the shout-out (truly honored)! I always look forward to your next adventure!

Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars +
Pub Date: May 27, 2025
May 2025 Must-Read Books
May Newsletter
Top Beach Read of 2025

Thanks to the author, Uplit Reads, Gallery Books, and NetGalley for early access to this book. Even though it doesn't come out until the end of May, I knew I had to read Beach House Rules while at the beach in April for spring break!
Beach House Rules is a fun Southern fiction read with a little bit of everything - a scandal, a secret social media gossip account, plenty of drama, and a mommune! What's that, you don't know what a mommune is? Well it's obviously a gorgeous beach house where moms and their kiddos live communally and share typical mom responsibilities. Charlotte and her daughter Iris end up in the Juniper Shores mommune after her husband Bill is accused of skimming off the top of the accounts in his investment firm. Bob maintains his innocence, but he isn't allowed out on house arrest, and their he assets are frozen, so the mommune is the best bet. Even though it's run by the “Black Widow” - a woman in her mid-forties who has three dead husbands.
I enjoyed that the chapters alternated points of view often, keeping everything feeling fresh. I liked hearing from some of the characters more than others 🤣 Some parts were a little far-fetched, but overall this was an entertaining read while relaxing at the beach. And I may as well mention that the author's 2024 release, A Happier Life (which was one of my top ten reads last year!) just came out in paperback. Check that out while you're waiting for this one to publish 🥰