In The Surf House by Lucy Clarke, Bea is a model with more wanderlust than wisdom who walks away from her carefully curated life while abroad for a job. Smart, right? What could possibly go wrong? Oh, just everything. Stranded without her clothes, cash, or passport, Bea is suddenly forced to rely on the kindness (and sketchiness) of strangers. She’s thrown together with another woman, and the two form a fragile alliance built on secrets and survival.

Set in a beautifully romanticized slice of Moroccan surf culture, which is something I can appreciate as a native Californian, the novel revels in sun, salt, and suspicion. Clarke clearly loves the beach life, and it shows. But under the gorgeous setting lies a darker current when a man named Seth arrives looking for his missing sister, Bea is pulled into a year-old mystery tied to the same dreamy but dangerous Surf House.

No one here is exactly trustworthy, which works well for the suspense but means you’re side-eyeing everyone, all the time. The plot drip-feeds information in a satisfying way, keeping you hooked. That said, the prose sometimes trips over itself. It occasionally borders on overwrought, with a few moments that made me roll my eyes hard enough to spot my own red flags.

And Bea? Well, bless her sunburned heart. For someone so worldly, she remains oddly clueless until long after the reader has cracked the case. Still, even if you’re a few steps ahead, the ride is enjoyable.

Come for the surf, stay for the secrets. The Surf House is twisty and atmospheric, if not always as sharp as it wants to be. A solid summer thriller that earns its 4 stars—even if you sometimes want to shake the main character like a sandy towel.

⭐️⭐️Review⭐️⭐️
Title: The Surf House
🧍‍♀️Author: Lucy Clarke


“Sometimes lying to yourself,” he says, “is the only way to live yourself.”

I remember when I started this one, I thought, ‘I like this author. ‘ Now I remember why. This author doesn’t just write a believable thriller. She does the research, can write an atmosphere to perfection and her character development is done so well. I absolutely INHALED this one! It came out today so I hope you all get out there and pick this one up! A definite 5⭐️ Thriller! I adored the atmosphere and community where The Surf House was in Morraco. Not only can you see the sun shining off the ocean- you can feel the bohemian spirit of the people that lived there.


Thank you to #Netgalley for an advanced digital copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Lucy Clarke delivers a gripping thriller in The Surf House, blending sun-drenched escapism with simmering suspense. Set against the rugged Moroccan coast, the novel masterfully unravels secrets within a tight-knit surf community. While the pacing occasionally drifts, Clarke’s evocative prose and layered characters keep the tension high and the pages turning.

OOOOHHHHH this was SO good!
Lucy Clarke delivers AGAIN!! This had me totally enthralled and engaged. I found myself thinking about this book during my work day, and I couldn't wait to get back to my kindle and dive in again (pun intended!).

🏄‍♀️ M Y S T E R I O U S M O N D A Y review 🏄 featuring “The Surf House” by Lucy Clarke!

MY RATING: 🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤/5

Bea gets cornered and attacked in an isolated alleyway in Marrakech about to face a lot more danger than getting robbed. She sees her life flash before her eyes right before getting saved by a woman named Marnie.

Bonded by trauma and what went down in that alleyway, Marnie invites Bea to come stay with her for a while. The Surf House is a hostile for surfers and a sanctuary for travellers from all over the world. It sits up high on a cliff near the shores of Morroco. Owned and operated by Marnie and her partner Ped, they arrange for Bea to work for them to pay for her room and board.

But the Surf House holds onto a lot of dark secrets and tragic memories and soon Bea finds herself caught in a riptide of lies, intimidation, blackmail and the mystery of a missing girl who was last seen there.

SURFS FREAKING UP 🤙!! I LOVED THIS BOOK!! What a wild Moroccan ride that perfectly mixes together a destination thriller, a missing persons mystery, a journey of self discovery and the love of surfing. I felt like I was in Morocco and could hear the sounds of the crashing waves while reading! If you enjoyed the book Malibu Rising and the movie Blue Crush, then you NEED to read this!

Thank you kindly to @lucyclarke_author @groveatlantic @netgalley for my #gifted advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest review! This book releases on June 10, 2025 and is 💯 the summer read you didn’t know you needed!

A thriller set in the most idyllic setting, remote beachside in Morocco, a surfer's dream, what could ever go wrong? Bea, a fashion model who walks off the set at a current shoot, realizing she does want this type of life, stumbles into an unfortunate circumstance that leads her to this beautiful location. When she arrives, she cannot imagine anything dark and sinister here, but as the days unfold, she realizes there is so much darkness and mystery here, but should she even attempt to uncover any of it? The other guests continue to add to her questions, making her realize she must search and get to the bottom of the mysteriously missing girl, who disappeared about a year ago.

I enjoyed this book very much! I have always loved Lucy Clarke books, and this one was no exception. The unique setting added to my enjoyment as well. While some plot twists felt unlikely, for the most part I followed along with bated breath!

thank you NetGalley for for this arc, all opinions are my own

I love it when Lucy Clarke comes out with a new book for summer! The Surf House is an atmospheric, character driven read that captures the pull of the sea and weight of secrets. I loved the coastal setting. Emotional read with a touch of mystery. And of course - you'll never guess the ending! ;) 4.5 stars rounded up to 5.

Clarke does it again!
The Surf House by Lucy Clarke was just what I was looking for.
A gripping book of suspense that had me gripping my Kindle.
The characters were relateable and I was immediately invested in them.
I was immediately drawn in by the characters in the setting.
The plot had some twists and turns that made the book exciting to read.
A great mix of escapist vacation read and mystery, that'll keep you turning the pages late into the night.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Thank You NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

Secrets, sand, and surf collide in "The Surf House" by Lucy Clarke—a sun-drenched thriller that lures you in with the promise of paradise but leaves you wanderlusting for survival. Sometimes when you come the most undone is when you are finally free.

Set high above Morocco’s glittering coast, "The Surf House" follows Bea, who seeks refuge in a remote clifftop escape after a near-death encounter in Marrakesh. But serenity is fleeting. As she settles into the rhythm of waves and whispers, she becomes entangled in the mystery of a woman who vanished from this very same haven a year prior. With its mix of oasis and danger, the story crests into a wave of lies and fallacies, forcing Bea to swim for her life in this sea of deceit. What is real or just a facade? And who can she trust?

This book completely hooked me with its undercurrent of escapism—I was ready to pack my bags and add another stamp to my passport. Clarke paints Morocco with such precision I could practically feel the grit of salt on my skin, the ocean wind in my hair, and the freedom that comes with being nowhere and no one. And obviously, I could feel the sunburn...I am a ginger after all. But I couldn't help but be drawn to this destination. And the characters of course! I loved how the characters—each nursing their own wounds—created community held together by shared exploration, soul-searching, and often times a shared grief. These characters find fellowship with each other and with this place, living firmly in the present.

But not so fast. Not all can be trusted and what do they really know about each other? On closer examination, this community is fragile and just takes one bad apple to rot the core. And we have some bad apples in this story. Clarke reminds us how we can create certain narratives in our minds based on limited information and how that can all crumble with one truth. And everyone keeps secrets for one reason or another but it's the ones that can hide them the best that are the ones to look out for. Hang on to your board because this one is a wild ride.

Side note—Salty the dog is an absolute star! Protect him at all costs.

"The Surf House" is more than a mystery—it’s an atmospheric and addictive escape that pulls you under in the best way. Don't forget to come up for air.

Thank you to Lucy Clarke, Grove Atlantic | Atlantic Monthly Press, & NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my authentic review.

I don’t know what it is about Lucy Clarkes thriller but they are written so beautifully that they just draw you in.

This is the second thriller by this author that I have picked up and they are always set in a beautiful and unique location. This book is set in Morocco.

I didn’t know there were surfing locations in Morocco, so I guess I learned something new.

We follow Bea who is wanting to run away from her life as a model and lands at the Surf House. When she finds out a girl went missing from the Surf House a year ago so start unearthing secrets.

I love that once you think have the story or twists figure out… you don’t. My jaw was on the ground.

This story really proves that you can’t trust anyone.

Genre: Thriller
APK: Ebook
Pages: 392
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Series or Standalone: Stand-alone

𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙎𝙪𝙧𝙛 𝙃𝙤𝙪𝙨𝙚 𝙗𝙮 𝙇𝙪𝙘𝙮 𝘾𝙡𝙖𝙧𝙠𝙚 pulls you in fast. Set on the Moroccan coast, the story kicks off with Bea escaping a dangerous situation in Marrakesh. She ends up at this beachside surf house that looks like paradise, but of course, something’s off. A girl named Savannah went missing from the same place a year ago, and no one’s really talking about it.

The setting is incredible. You actually feel like you’re in Morocco, the salt in the air, the buzz of the town and the heat rising off every surface. And the surfing scenes? So good.

Things really start to get murky when Savannah’s brother shows up, asking the questions no one else wants to. That’s when the cracks begin to show. Everyone’s keeping something back, and Bea finds herself pulled deeper into a mess.

A perfect summer thriller that keeps you hooked without trying too hard, and the setting just pulls you right in.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Surf House is a "Destination Thriller" that follows the travels of now ex-model Bea from high paid fashion model to free-spirit surfer girl in the little sea side town of Mullah in Morocco. Frankly I was not even aware there was a surfer culture in Morocco.

Unfortunately the story of how Bea ditched her modeling gig in Marrakesh was incredible boring, and difficult for me to get through, causing me to stop and restart several times. Once past the poorly written beginning, we find Bea wandering the streets of Marrakesh trying to figure out her life after jumping in a Fountain while still wearing the 9,000 pound couture dress and ruining her photoshoot. She stupidly walks down the wrong street and is accosted by 2 men with evil intent on their minds before she is "saved" by a stranger, Marnie. The tables are turned and Bea ends up saving Marnie's life before the run away sans rucksack, necklace and most importantly Bea's passport.

Marnie helps Bea escape any legal consequences and drives her to the Surf House, she owns and Operates with her BF, Ped. To pay for her room and board, Bea takes on chores including cleaning rooms and cooking breakfast for the guests/surfers who stay at the hotel.

Soon an American, Seth, arrives and Bea learns that his sister, Savanah, had run away and was last seen at the Surf House about a year ago, before she disappears. Since she is being blackmailed and in need of money Bea agrees to help Seth found out what happened to his sister.

During her investigation, she finds out that all of these happy go lucky surfers are not who they appear to be. Frankly there isn't a really likeable character at this supposedly great surfing spot, and they all seem to be keeping secrets and lying to Seth and Bea when they try to get answers about Savanah's whereabouts.

This "thriller" telegraphs all of the twists that come at the conclusion, and there really is no surprise ending. Frankly, I would let this wave pass, and get the next one.

The surf House, Lucy Clarke

This book is definitely a 5star read!
Lucy Clarke’s vivid descriptions kept me feeling like I was living in Morocco, where this story is set.
Bea, a model shooting in Marakesh, realizes that her life is unenjoyable.
Following a harrowing event ( no spoilers) she ends up in a beach town, where the sky and ocean are vivid blue, the life is relaxed and easy, and she learns how to surf.
She gets involved in a search for a missing woman, and ultimately her life turns upside down.
This book is full of intrigue, beautiful scenic descriptions, and some fantastic twists!
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for my honest opinion.

Bea seeks refuge in a remote surfing area in Morocco after a dangerous encounter in the city. She finds out a previous guest went missing and the truth is hidden somewhere within the Surf House.

This is a suspenseful read perfect for summer or traveling. The wanderlust and nomadic lifestyle radiates from the pages and you really get a feel for the ambiance of the location. There’s an interesting mystery which would be impossible to figure out but you’ll find out the answer at the end. There are a few suspects but not much is as it seems.

“Sometimes lying to yourself is the only way to live with yourself.”

The Surf House comes out 6/10.

Lucy Clark’s newest destination thriller is a whirlwind. I was completely immersed in the atmosphere and the characters. This would be the perfect beach read. Solid 4 out of 5 stars!

The Surf House delivered the most atmospheric destination thriller, I really felt like I was in Morroco experiencing the beachy vibes with the characters. I enjoyed the growth of the FMC throughout and the development of the general characters as the story went on. I thought it was decently paced and gripping enough to keep my attention. I did find the over all plot a little predictable and not always believable, however overall and enjoyable beachy thriller! perfect holiday read. thankyou to HarperCollins for the ARC

Bea encountered danger, a missing young woman and a handsome surfer upon her arrival at The Surf House. The tranquil setting was her refuge from the world of modeling that she abruptly left behind. She was tired of the dieting, posing, and fake people to last her a lifetime. She never could have imagined she would have put herself in harm’s way by just wishing for a little freedom. Bea quickly fell in with the surfer crowd and felt freer than she had ever been while catching wave after wave, in the sparkling ocean. Her mind kept going back to the night of her arrival, as she worried about the repercussions of her actions, and if her life would ever be the same again.

There was a feeling of constant tension at The Surf House which only intensified upon the arrival of a new guest. Seth was looking for his sister, Savannah, whose last known whereabouts was The Surf House, and a nearby town. Bea felt connected to Savannah in some way and agreed to help Seth search for clues. Unbeknownst to Bea, her actions were being monitored by her so-called 'new friends.’ Not all of them were glad she was staying with them and as she got closer to the truth behind Savannah’s disappearance, she wished she had never agreed to stay there. She was scared, tired, and unsure who she could even trust. I was frightened for her and worried about what would happen when the shocking truth was revealed! Nothing was what it seemed to be at The Surf House and this was one vacation Bea wished she had cancelled!

I Love Lucy Clarke and I really loved her new book, The Surf House. Set in the beautiful country of Morocco, this was a first for me in a good destination thriller. Highly recommended, loads of untrustworthy and creepy characters

Very atmospheric.

Bea is working as a model, and on a shoot in Marrkech, Morocco she has had enough and walks away from the shoot, and decides she is finished with modeling. Wandering around through the markets, she is cornered by some men who want to rob her. Bystander Marnie jumps in to help, but in the process Bea stabs one of the men in the neck. Marnie invites Bea back to the guest house she and her partner run called The Surf House. There, she meets a variety of other guests and long term residents, one of whom is a man who claims his sister Savannah disappeared there a year ago. Bea volunteers to help him try to find out what happened to Savannah, but no one wants to part with secrets.

I immediately felt immersed in the surf culture of Morocco. The setting was incredibly well described and I could picture every part of the experience. I really liked the characters, and their motivations and secrets unfolded steadily as the novel progressed. I was definitely surprised by some of the twists, and yet a couple of others I called early on. Overall it was a successful suspense thriller because it did throw some curve balls I wasn't expecting.

It's not a perfect book, I thought Bea was way too trusting and way too naïve about life for being a world traveling model. The fact that she went just wandering through the market, not paying attention to her surroundings, seemed incredibly unrealistic. However the book needed that setup, so I had to set it aside. I did like the bits about learning how to live in her non-model body, learning how to feed herself properly, etc. which helped to give the story more depth and interest.

If you want a well written, surprising, atmospheric thriller, this is a fantastic choice.

Sadly, this is just not good. I’m being generous here by rating it 1 star.

Character development is lacking and the mystery and all events leading up to the reveal are tiresome and trite. It’s really too bad, because it starts with such a strong kickoff, but falls extremely flat rather quickly. The only thing about this book that can remotely be memorable is the beauty of Morocco and Mallah.

Was this supposed to be a mystery/thriller, or a romance? It’s confusing that it’s marketed as the former, but incorporates the latter in such a way that the author, herself, appears to lose control of her thesis. Moreover, the ending was far too rushed, but wrapped up in a pretty bow for those of you who need a happy ending.

Thank you to Atlantic Monthly Press and Netgalley for providing me a copy of this ARC, in exchange for an honest review. It is available on June 10th, 2025.