I was tremendously excited when I was approved to read an e-ARC of MMM's new novel. She's been a favorite of mine for the past few years. I've gotten totally invested in previous stories, and felt a connection to the characters and the words on the page in a way that I can't really explain. I just get her writing; I get the references, the tone, the setting, the backgrounds. Everything just clicks for me. And we get to Mansion Beach -- I really, really liked it; I didn't love it. This was more of a slow burn, and took longer for me to get engrossed in the world. I got there, it just took a bit longer. The Block Island setting was once again an integral part of the tale, and worked on many different levels. An updated version of the Great Gatsby? I'll accept that, but it wasn't something I thought about while reading.

The ending felt a little abrupt to me, but, like normal, I was mostly bereft that the book was over -- I didn't want it to be.

From a selfish standpoint, I want to start reading the author's next novel tomorrow, but sadly...

I received a complimentary copy of the novel from the publisher and NetGalley, and my review is being left freely.

In Mansion Beach, we return to a familiar location for Ms. Moore's novels - Block Island. Nicole is on the island for a summer internship after leaving her budding career as a lawyer and her lawyer boyfriend. She's originally from small town Minnesota but has a connection to the island in the form of her cousin, David, and his uber wealthy wife, Taylor. Very quickly, she gets to know her new neighbor, Juliana, an up and coming business person preparing for great things, but mired down a bit in her past.
The story opens during a podcast episode the following summer, foreshadowing some tragic events that took place. Podcast episode transcripts appear periodically but it was a trope I found distracting and not really adding any value to telling the story of Nicole, David, Jack and Juliana.
I loved Nicole's relationship with George and the details about life on Block Island and its marine ecosystem. I did wonder how Nicole qualified for the internship and Shelley's appearance seemed a little forced. Elements of the book, with its focus on rich people behaving badly, reminded me of a modern day Great Gatsby.
Thanks to Netgalley and Harper Collins Publishers for the opportunity to read Mansion Beach. I received a complimentary copy of the book and opinions expressed are completely my own.

Mansion Beach by Meg Mitchell Moore is a compelling summer read set on Block Island, blending friendship, ambition, and mystery. The novel follows Nicola, a former lawyer interning in marine research; Juliana, a self-made tech CEO with a complicated romantic past; and Taylor, a wealthy real estate heir navigating high-stakes development. As their lives intertwine, past secrets and present ambitions collide, all leading to a mysterious drowning. Told through multiple POVs and a local podcast, this novel masterfully balances character depth, setting, and suspense. Perfect for fans of summer dramas with a twist!

Thank you for this ARC! Mansion Beach was a fun, light hearted read. It takes place on Block Island in the summer and is the perfect escapism novel. The characters were slightly underdeveloped and didn't have strong personalities, as such. However, the slightly suspenseful and mysterious tone kept me interested. I recommend for fans of "beach reads" that are not heavy on the romance!

Right away I noticed the similarities to the Great Gatsby, from the wild parties in the big mansion, to the light across the water, to the seemingly innocent boating accident. And then Julianna eventually names her daughter Daisy. Although, that's where the comparison ends. At the beginning, we learn there was a death on Block Island, but its not until nearly the end that we learn who the victim is. Well played Meg Mitchell Moore, well played.

Mansion Beach by Meg Mitchell Moore is a compelling, immersive novel that perfectly blends the glitzy allure of high society with deeply human moments of self-discovery, betrayal, and scandal. Set on the picturesque Block Island, Rhode Island, Moore’s latest work is an unputdownable read that expertly balances tension, intrigue, and unexpected twists, making it a must-read for fans of Pineapple Street and Sex and Vanity.

The story centers around Nicola Carr, a woman seeking solace and a fresh start in the idyllic surroundings of Block Island. What she expects to be a relaxing summer quickly turns into something far more complex as she becomes drawn into the opulent and chaotic world of her mysterious neighbors. Nicola’s curiosity is piqued by the extravagant parties and luxurious lifestyle of Juliana George, the enigmatic entrepreneur next door. Juliana, a successful CEO preparing for a major IPO, has a complicated past—and a love story that might be far from over. Enter a second love interest, a man with deep ties to Nicola’s own world, and the stage is set for a love triangle of sorts, layered with secrets and old flames.

We also meet Taylor Buchanan, Nicola’s cousin’s wife, whose seemingly perfect life—a life of wealth, power, and prestige—begins to unravel in the most unexpected way. Taylor is determined to have it all, but the cracks in her façade soon start to show, leading her down a dangerous path. As the lives of these three women intersect, the book delves into the undercurrents of power, privilege, and human vulnerability, leading to a shocking twist—a dead body.

Moore excels at crafting complex characters with deep emotional layers, each woman facing her own struggles, desires, and moral dilemmas. The writing is sharp, filled with wit and insight, while exploring themes of class, secrets, and the price of ambition. The novel also cleverly mirrors the spirit of The Great Gatsby, drawing readers into a world where glamour and ambition collide, and no one is entirely who they seem.

Mansion Beach is a sophisticated and suspenseful tale that keeps you guessing until the very end. With its intoxicating mix of romance, drama, and mystery, it’s a perfect beach read for those who enjoy a little scandal with their summer sun.

Nicola lives in a cottage on Block Island, next to Juliana, CEO and founder of a fashion company. David is Nicola’s cousin, married to Taylor who works with her father. Nicola loves marine life and looks forward to her summer job. Juliana tries to forget her past and concentrate on the future but after seeing David it is hard not to remember the times they have been together. Taylor is devoted to her job, trying to keep her father happy. Most of the wealthy are nosy and fake, trying to form relationships that benefit themselves. I loved the contrast between Juliana and Taylor. Both women are wealthy and successful, but Taylor grew up with wealth and expectations while Juliana lived in foster homes and made the climb on her own. There are a lot of twists and turns in this book as well as characters you love to hate and those you want to find happiness.

Mansion Beach involves wealth, power, a love triangle, a betrayal and a dead body. The tone is snarky and fun; great escapist reading for travel or the beach.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. Recommended. Pub Date is May 27.

#MansionBeach

A fun summer read x modern take on Gatsby.

The story opens with a podcast episode of locals speculating about a shocking death. While this is an interesting angle, it wasn't used very consistently or frequently throughout the chapters so there wasn't much tension or intrigue and I'm not sure this added much to the story. I liked the multiple narrators. I found Juliana to be very compelling and was rooting for her happiness (and hoping she would be able to chill out!). Nicola was likable as well and I appreciated the insight into Taylor and her motivations as she gets a chapter from her point of view.

Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a copy.

I was intrigued by the premise of MANSION BEACH and found myself enjoying the author's writing style. I really liked the style of humor and also the layers and complexity to the cast of characters. I did find parts of the plot confusing, but it honestly I found that it just added to the eccentricity of the world that explores social classes and why and what humans will do in order to get what it is they are wanting. A love triangle, secrets and a dead body definitely keep you on edge while reading. I enjoyed the multiple points of view and cared about all the characters. A different and refreshing read and I look forward to reading more of this author's work.

Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

I have been a fan of Meg Mitchell Moore since her first novel so a chance to read and review “Mansion Beach” was a welcome treat.

Like many of the author’s novels, the novel is set on Block Island where the reader gets to enjoy references to previous characters and island spots as well as meet compelling new ones. This time around, the story is told through the eyes of two female protagonists—Nicola, an attorney who has left the field of law to intern as a marine biologist and Juliana, a savvy entrepreneur, who is in love with Nicola’s cousin, David. The problem is David is married to Taylor Buchanan, of the Buchanan family who are overtaking the island with several developmental deals. Meanwhile, Nicola crushes on Jack, a golfer, who is spending the summer with David and Taylor, but is also a notorious playboy.

It's a lot of plot and under a weaker writer’s hand, a reader would surely be confused. However, I found the author’s well-developed characters and gorgeous scenery to be enthralling. While the novel had a mystery element, the trajectories of Nicola and Juliana helped make this story engaging.

Four out of five stars.

Thanks to Net Galley, the author and publisher for a chance to read and review this novel.

Meg Mitchell Moore is a fantastic writer and I have been reading her books since 2012. She never fails to write a book that holds my interest. This book is about Nicola who has a loving family and Juliana, who grew up in a foster home. Nicola had the drive to become a lawyer but soon found that she had chosen the wrong career path. Throwing her career and lackluster boyfriend out, she moved to Block Island and went to work at a marine rescue. Juliana lived next door and was waiting for a company that she built to go public. Juliana and Nicola meet when Juliana finds out that "the one who got away" is Nicola's cousin, David. The book alternates between the POV's of the characters, both in present day and the past. This is a good read containing family, love and people with too much money. It also contains a mystery--someone dies and you don't find out who until the end. Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for the complementary digital ARC. This opinion is my own words and not coerced in any way.

Meg Mitchell Moore has quickly become one of my favorite authors. Her annual summer release is one of my must-reads! I love her writing style, variety of characters, and the settings of her books. Mansion Beach takes us back to one of MMM’s popular settings—Block Island. This time around, the main characters consist of Nichola, an older intern who left a law career (and an ill-fitting boyfriend in Boston) to pursue her dream of becoming a marine biologist. She is on the island for the summer to gain experience working in her new field. Her cousin is also on the island. He is married to Taylor, the daughter of a wealthy real estate developer who has come to Block for the summer to try and win over the locals on a proposed multi-property development deal. Nichola rents a cottage arranged for her by Taylor. The cottage is next door to Juliana, a former foster care kid who has beaten the odds and started her own high-profile tech company. Juliana is in love with Taylor’s husband, having met him before the two got married. He is also in love with her, but his relationship with Taylor is complicated and it is not so easy for him to just leave her to be with Juliana.

If this sounds confusing, it’s because it kind-of is. Throughout the summer, the lives of these three women intersect in various ways. MMM also inserts snippets from a local podcast throughout the story to add some flavor and context to what we know is the drowning of one of the characters at the end of the summer.

Fans of MMM's other Block Island-set books will recognize some of the places and characters mentioned in those earlier stories, and I enjoyed this return to one of New England’s most popular summer getaway spots.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

This novel offered a fascinating, contemporary, and imaginative reimagining of "The Great Gatsby." The gender-swapping of iconic characters, such as a female Jay Gatsby and a male Daisy, provided a compelling new perspective on the classic story. I thoroughly enjoyed this fresh interpretation.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for the advance copy. All opinions are my own.

This was such an interesting, modern, and creative take on The Great Gatsby. I really liked this re-telling and modernization, where classic characters were gender swapped. It was so interesting to have the Jay Gatsby character be a woman, and the same for a male version of Daisy. I really enjoyed this book!

Mansion Beach by Meg Mitchell Moore will leave you wanting to get on the next Block Island ferry! From the gorgeous beaches, idyllic ponds, and majestic Mohegan Bluffs to the mudslide slinging watering holes of Block Island, this novel was the perfect escape! True to form, Meg Mitchell Moore deftly wove intricate plot lines and depth of character into a satisfying page-turner. I identified with the outsiders in the novel, and can relate to the ways wealth and class are exposed on Summer islands that are at risk of loosing the very currency of sameness that has made them destinations for generations.

Mark your calendars for this 5/27 pub date! In the meantime, I will be reading more of Meg Mitchell Moore’s prior work!

Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow Books for the ARC!

This book takes place on an island where a lot of tourists go for the summer. There are a lot of wealthy people that go there for the summer. There is one girl who grew up poor and has made it to the top. This is a fun summer read!

Going to be the perfect beach read this summer!!

This book follows multiple povs and their relationships. All have different ways of life and all 3 of them come together for the summer. It's dramatic and funny with a twist of mystery added to it.

If you like old romances, secrets and drama coming to the surface this one is for you.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

MMM is an auto read author for me & I was thrilled to discover Mansion Beach. I didn't realize up front that this was a modern retelling of Great Gatsby and it was really well done without beating me over the head. Having read all of MMM's Block Island books I recognized the recurring character but appreciated that it wasn't necessary to have read the other books first.

Nicola stays at her cousin in laws house for the summer. She needs a change from her lawyer job and boyfriend, so she embarks on a her adventure. She reconnects with her cousin, befriends the neighbor, and starts a romance with a rich boy. All of these characters have bad qualities and treat others horribly! Someone is murdered at the end, but they don’t focus that much time on the murder. It’s Juliana’s past, her present, and how her life intersects with Nicola for the most part. It was ok. You forgot about the murder aspect until they start interviewing people again. The author could have had more of those interviews I think.